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28 Manner of Making Confession

Having entered the confessional, place yourself in the presence of God, Who sees all things, and then address His minister:

LESS me, Father, for I have sinned.

I confess to almighty God, and to you, Father, that I have sinned exceedingly in thought, word, deed and omission, through my fault.

It has been one week, (or, — weeks), since my last worthy confession. I accuse myself of having committed, during that time, the following sins:

Without exaggerating or extenuating the offenses of which you may be conscious, tell them, as if to God Himself, with a humble, sorrowful and contrite heart. Afterwards, it will be well, though it is never obligatory, to specify some one sin of the past which is especially calculated to dispose the soul to deeper contrition. This being briefly done, say:

For these, and for ali the sins of which I have at any time been guilty, I humbly ask pardon of God, and absolution of you, Father, if you think me worthy.

Then listen attentively to anything the confessor may choose to say; humbly accept the penance he imposes; and, when he raises his hand m absolution, recite the act of contrition.

PRAYERS AFTER CONFESSION

After confession we should return thanks to God for His mercies in forgiving our sins, beg that He supply whatever has been wanting to us and bless our good resolutions, and immediately thereafter say our penance.