How to go to Confession

I know the idea of confessing your sins can be scary.  But let me assure you that thinking about confession is ALWAYS worse than actually confessing.

The best guide I found to going to confession is found here at Busted Halo.  I really can't add to it.  So I will repeating their information in this post:

• Before You Go
• Examine your conscience, that is, reflect on what sins you have committed. To guide you, just Google “examination of conscience” and you’ll find many resources to help you. It’s even alright to make a list to bring with you to confession if that helps.
• Introduction 
• When you come before the priest, begin by making the Sign of the Cross (praying the words out loud).
• Continue by saying, "Bless me, Father, I have sinned. It has been [how long] since my last confession. These are my sins...”
• Confession 
• List the sins you have committed that came to mind when doing your examination of conscience. 
• Don’t be too general (like, “I haven’t been a good person”), but a lot of detail is not necessary either (you don’t need to tell the whole story of how a sin came about). 
• If you’re not sure if something is a sin is, just ask the priest. This is not counseling, so unless you ask, the priest likely won’t give you advice. He’ll just move on to...
• Penance 
• The priest will suggest something for you to do or pray as a response to God’s mercy. You’ll have to remember what this is and do it after the confession is over, so pay attention.
• Contrition
• The priest will then ask you to pray the Act of Contrition, demonstrating your sorrow for your sins. This needs to be prayed out loud for the priest to hear, but need not adhere exactly to one formula. 
• Absolution
• Don’t get up to leave after that prayer, because the best part is yet to come: the priest will extend his hands in your direction and he will pray the Prayer of Absolution: “God, the Father of Mercies, through the death and resurrection of his Son, has reconciled the world to himself and sent the Holy Spirit among us for the forgiveness of sins. Through the ministry of the Church, may God grant you pardon and peace. And I absolve you from your sins in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.”
• You respond: "Amen."
• Conclusion
• The priest will then likely say something like, “God has freed you from your sin. Go in Peace.” To which you can respond: “Thanks be to God.”
• After You Leave
• Don’t forget to do your penance. If it is saying certain prayers, it’s best to do it right away in the church before you forget.

Other Things to Know

There will be a copy of the Act of Contrition in the confessional.  You don't have to have it memorized.

Ideally, you would go to confession during a church's listed times for reconciliation.  However, you can ask the priest for the sacrament at other times.

Lastly, DO NOT BE AFRAID!  I know that you think the priest will think you are unbelievably evil...don't flatter yourself!  You are not that original!  You can't invent a new sin.  In fact, you won't be able to tell the priest something he hasn't heard before! 

So go enjoy Reconciliation and receive God's forgiveness for your sins!

(I will be posting additional posts on what Reconciliation is and why you need it soon!)

Keep Pursuing