No doubt one of the best statements of the Sacrament of Penance
is the following "Why Confession" by the late
Father Teideman, a monk of the Order of the Holy Cross. Following
Fr. Tiedeman's work, a portion of the Saint Augustine's Prayerbook
is quoted, entitled "Penance" and contains the
form used for oricular confession here at Saint Luke's.
PART ONE: Why Confession by Karl Tiedemann, O.H.C.
It was a late bitter winter night during World War I. The Superior
at Holy Cross Monastery was locking up the house, and had just
turned the key in the front door when the bell rang, and out
of the storm of wind and snow which was raging through the Hudson
valley, a young officer presented himself. He had come from a
camp some eighty miles away. He had never been at Holy Cross
before, and was unacquainted with anyone in the Order. He had
only heard of the place as one where men could find the peace
of God. "I have just today," he said, "received
orders to sail for France tomorrow. I have a twelve-hour leave.
I realize that this is a crisis in my life. I know not what lies
in the future, but before I go I know that I must get right with
God. Will you help me?" He was prepared for his first confession,
received the blessing of absolution, and before dawn the Next
morning made his Communion, and was away on the earliest train
for the ship which was to carry him to he knew not what fate.
But the peace of God was in his heart, and nothing else really
mattered. No word has come from him since. We still pray for
him, living or departed, and we can never forget the joyous light
that illumined his face as he said good-bye, starting out on
the great adventure, with a hundred unknown perils in his path,
but with a heart for any fate because he had got right with God.
His problem is your problem and mine. "How shall we get
right with God?" The subject of confession and sacramental
absolution is one which arouses many and widely varying reactions.
This paper assumes your interest and good will, and proceeds
to discuss in a simple and direct manner this question, the most
important that could ever be proposed to the mind and heart of
man. We all agree on its transcending seriousness. Perhaps we
do not agree as to the answer, but let us in a spirit of devout
investigation, without preconceptions or prejudice, consider
the issue, with a resolution to accept humbly and wholeheartedly
the conclusion to which the Holy Spirit may lead us.
"How do we get right with God?" Generally speaking,
the answer is that we receive God's forgiveness by placing ourselves
in that condition and position where God can act. Our Faith teaches
that "a broken and contrite heart" always wins God's
full absolution. God longs to forgive us, but we must do our
part. God desires that all His children be united to Him, but
we must choose to come to Him of our own freewill. That means
we have a part to play, before we can receive His forgiveness.
Our share is that we must be genuinely sorry for our sins, and
we must use the means which God has appointed for the normal
reception of His absolution. The particular answer is that we
"get right with God" by making our confession in the
presence of a priest and from that priest receive God's forgiveness.
In these days of popular biography, we are rightly interested
in personal testimony and individual conviction. Let us, then,
begin our examination of "how to get right with God"
by listening to a statement of "why I make my confession."
I. WHY I MAKE MY CONFESSION
THERE is only one really important reason why I make my confession,
and that is because I am quite convinced that God wants me to
do so. That is what matters, -- God's will for me. I have come
to this conclusion for several subsidiary reasons.
1. In the first place, in the twentieth chapter of St. John,
part of which forms the Gospel for the Sunday after Easter (Prayer
Book, page 171) I read these words: "The same day at evening,
being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where
the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus
and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you.
And when He had so said, He shewed unto them His hands and his
side. Then were the disciples glad when they saw the Lord. Then
said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as My Father hath
sent Me, even so send I you, And when He had said this, He breathed
on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost: whosesoever
sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whosesoever sins
ye retain, they are retained."
After a careful and prayerful study of this passage, using the
best commentaries, I have come to the conclusion that these words
witness to the institution by our Lord of the Sacrament of Absolution;
and further, that He intended that this Sacrament should be used.
Our Lord was lavish and prodigal of His love, but He never gave
useless directions. His provision is for all men, that they should
confess and be absolved. It is always dangerous for any soul
to count itself an exception to the general provisions which
God has made for the welfare of all His children.
2. The witness of Holy Scripture to the use of this Sacrament
is taken up by the directions of the Book of Common Prayer. A
number of passages can be cited. On page 7 in the Order for Morning
Prayer, and on page 24, in the Order for Evening Prayer, occur
these words: "Almighty God... hath given power, and commandment,
to His Ministers, to declare and pronounce to His people being
penitent, the Absolution and Remission of their sins."
On page 87, the last line at the bottom of the page, you will
find this statement: "And because it is requisite that no
man should come to the Holy Communion, but with a full trust
in God's mercy, and with a quiet conscience; therefore, if there
be any of you, who by this means [i.e., private contrition] cannot
quiet his own conscience herein, but require further comfort
or counsel, let him come to me, or to some other Minister of
God's Word, and open his grief; that he may receive such godly
counsel and advice, as may tend to the quieting of his conscience,
and the removing of all scruple and doubtfulness."
On page 313 there is a very instructive rubric (or direction
in italics): "Then shall [note the 'shall'] the sick person
be moved to make a special confession of his sins, if he feel
his conscience troubled with any matter; after which confession,
on evidence of his repentance, the Minister shall assure him
of God's mercy and forgiveness." In the Prayer Book of the
Church of England the words of Absolution then follow: "Our
Lord Jesus Christ, who hath left power to His Church to absolve
all sinners who truly repent and believe in Him, of His great
mercy forgive thee thine offences; and by His authority committed
unto me, I absolve thee from all thy sins, in the Name of the
Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost. Amen."
Another witness to this Sacrament in the Episcopal Church is
taken from the Office of the Ordination of Priests. On page 546
occur these solemn words: "Receive the Holy Ghost for the
Office and Work of a Priest in the Church of God, now committed
unto thee by the Imposition of our hands. Whose sins thou dost
forgive they are forgiven; and whose sins thou dost retain, they
are retained. And be thou a faithful Dispenser of the Word of
God, and of His holy Sacraments; in the Name of the Father, and
of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen."
3. I make my confession because I believe that it is the way
which God has appointed for the removal of sins after Baptism.
When I was baptized, I was made a child of God and grafted into
the mystical Body of Christ. One of the results of this union
with God by Holy Baptism was the forgiveness of all sin. But
souls do not cease from sin with Baptism. One of the exhortations
very frequent in the early Church was the confession of sins.
In later days this exhortation was emphasized by canon law. It
was an ancient custom of the Church of England that all communicants
should make their confessions at least once a year. But whatever
the form of the exhortation to contrition, the real compulsion
to make one's confession arises from within the soul which has
seen the glory of God and desires to possess it.
4. I make my confession because it is God's way of assuring the
soul that it is sorry enough to receive forgiveness. One of the
privileges which come to us in the Church is that of assurance.
I do not have to wonder where God is. The light burning before
the Tabernacle says, "God is here." I do not have to
search far and wide for the means of life, I know that all power
is mine when I receive the Blessed Sacrament of the Altar. And,
of the hours that souls waste in wondering whether they have
been sorry enough to be forgiven! "I have said so many prayers,
recited so many psalms of penitence. Have I been sorry enough
to be forgiven?" In the Sacrament of Absolution, the priest
who receives my confession is responsible for judging my contrition.
The Sacrament is the way of assurance of forgiveness. A man once
said, as he came to his first confession, "I've wasted too
many hours wondering if I had been forgiven, and I've decided
no to waste any more, I'd like to make my confession."
5. I make my confession, because I believe that all true life
is social in nature, that the Church is the Body of the baptized,
and since no man liveth to himself or dieth to himself or sinneth
to himself, some form of apology is due the whole Body of Christ
which is the Church. The question is sometimes raised, "Isn't
it all right to go to Mass with certain sins in mind, and, when
the words of Absolution in the Mass are recited, apply those
words to the special sins in mind?" The answer is that "it's
all right as far as it goes," but such limited contrition
does not penetrate very deeply. An act of private contrition
will always bring God's forgiveness for what are called "venial"
sins, but there are also "mortal sins," - transgressions
of such magnitude that confession to a priest is needed.
No man liveth to himself and no man sinneth to himself. When
a baptized soul sins, it hurts all the members of the mystical
Body of Christ. Some form of public and social apology is due
the Church. The early Church answered this problem by having
public confession in the case of certain flagrant sins. Such
forms of contrition were open to abuse. So the Church directed
that confession be made to a priest who would represent the Body
of Christ.
I go to confession because a mere private acknowledgment to God,
in the case of grievous sins, is not enough. I should tell the
whole Body of Christ of my contrition and desire of amendment.
I accomplish this social act of sorrow by confession to a priest
who represents the Body of Christ in receiving my sorrow and
in presenting the forgiveness of the Whole Body.
6. I make my confession because it is Christ's appointed way
of accomplishing union between Himself and the penitent soul.
For a long time I delayed making my confession, because "I
did not want any man to come between my soul and God." But
I have come to realize that all life flows to us through other
people, for we are all one Body in Christ Jesus. Just as physical
life comes to us through other people, so spiritual life is ours
through the Church and its ministers. It is true that in confession
a man comes between the soul and God. But the important fact
to realize is that the priest is present, not to separate us
from God, but to unite us to Him. We call for a physician in
time of need, not to bother us, but to assist us. He takes his
normal place in our lives in a natural way. So with the spiritual
life. It is a matter of our union with God, and in this experience
the priest like our cook or our doctor or our lawyer, falls into
a natural position. So I welcome God's provision for my spiritual
life and "get right with God" through the assistance
of a priest in the Sacrament of Absolution.
7. Lastly, I make my confession because it is the way of perseverance
in sorrow for sin. The way to God is through ever-deepening contrition
and the reception of grace to deal with the stubborn sin and
the wilful self which would keep me from Him.
There have been some critics of confession who have thought that
some souls go to confession without any idea of amendment of
life - perhaps even with the intention of continuing in sin.
Of course anything of value can be abused. But there are three
considerations to be offered in reply.
First, I do not believe that any soul would continue to go to
confession without desire of amendment. Such a hardened person
would soon give up his confessions. Secondly, as we have thought
before, the confessor is the judge of the penitent's spiritual
condition, and would refuse to giver absolution if he doubted
the penitent's contrition or good-will. Thirdly, - and here we
come to the root of the matter, - grace is not magic. Some sins
are too deeply rooted in our human nature for God to remove them
at once, without injuring our personality. Instead He gives us
the grace of Absolution, in order that as often as we fall, we
may at once express our sorrow and receive spiritual power to
start afresh. The sincere soul continues to seek the confessional
to uproot sin, just as the good gardener keeps on pulling up
the same old weeds, so that his flowers may grow. I go to confession
because I know I need power to meet my besetting temptations.
My part is that of perseverance in hope and humility. The confessional
is a great aid to the acquirement of these virtues.
II. WHY YOU SHOULD MAKE YOUR CONFESSION
I HAVE gone into some detail to explain why I make my confession,
but confession is good not only for my soul, good not only for
the soul of the spiritually ill, but good for every soul, - good
for your soul. Let us, then, consider why you should go to confession.
Here again, there is only one really important reason. It is
because confession is the divinely appointed way to "get
right with God." God's will is all that matters. You ought
to have this blessed experience, first of all for God's sake.
God created you because He loves you and desires you to be wholly
His. Humble confession is the way to God. Secondly, you should
make your confession for the sake of the mystical Body of Christ,
the Church of God. As we have thought before, "no man liveth
to himself." Just as a hurt in one part of a body causes
discomfort to the whole person, so one sinful soul causes great
suffering to the Body of Christ. For His Body's sake, the Church,
you should come into full union with God. And thirdly, you should
make your confession for your own sake. It is the way of escape
from sin and self; the way of finding spiritual guidance in perplexing
problems; the way of growing in holiness; the way of happiness;
the way by which we learn to help others. Let us examine these
points in detail.
1. In the first place, you must "get right with God."
You know there are things which keep you awake at night. The
first step in the spiritual life, after we have seen the vision
of love in the face of Jesus Christ, is to find release from
the things which dog out waking hours. We cannot put away "self"
by "self." To try to do so will only result in an increase
of selfishness and self-centeredness. But we must get rid of
our baser selves. Certainly the psychologists tell us that we
must find release from the things which worry us and frighten
us. The way of release is not by alcohol, or sin, or self-culture,
or the mad rush of modern life, or by suicide, but by confession
of sin and reception of Absolution.
Do not wait until it is too late. There may come a time when
a soul becomes so enmeshed in selfishness that it loses the vision
of God which is the compelling motive to contrition. And there
may come an hour when our physical senses are so dulled, as we
lie upon our bed for death, that it is well nigh impossible to
make an act of contrition. Do not postpone your act of contrition
until it is too late.
2. Secondly, you should make your confession because, after you
have made your initial act of contrition and all your sins are
washed away, there will still remain the "old man"
with his many temptations and problems and imperfections. If
you need expert medical advice, you go to a physician who will
both assist you and observe the seal of secrecy of his profession.
If you lack legal information, you go to a learned lawyer who
will enlighten you and will respect your confidence. If you need
spiritual advice, (and all souls need some guidance until the
hour of death) you will find it awaiting you, under the seal
of the confessional. Every soul is beset by special temptations,
fears, "complexes." The spiritual life is not a trackless
wilderness, it has a map all its own. While every soul differs
in its particular battles, there is a science of the spiritual
life which is yours for the asking. Furthermore, - and this is
so very important, that we here repeat this truth previously
mentioned, - there is a special power in God's forgiveness thus
received, which will enable the penitent soul to meet its own
particular temptations. Even if both you and the confessor be
ignorant of the real nature of your temptations, God will know.
In Absolution He will supply grace to meet your real problems.
The devoted soul welcomes this means of receiving spiritual power
in this very perplexing life.
3. Then there is the problem of growth in holiness. What the
Church needs above all else is a great host of souls thirsting
for holiness, - all on fire with the love of God. The confessional
is one of the principle aids to the development of sanctity.
It is not easy to make one's confession, and it is right and
necessary that it should cost the soul much in the way of faith
and humiliation. It must be so. It was not easy for our Lord
to redeem us and it must cost us dear to enter into the work
of redemption.
"It is the way the Master went, shall not the servant tread
it too?" St. Augustine, who left the way of sin and rose
to tremendous heights of holiness, caught the ideal of self-sacrifice
and wrote: "Pretium caritatis tu," - the price
of love is thyself."
4. You ought to make your confession, because it is the way of
happiness. In this world, where there is so much of needless
suffering and abysmal grief, the Church labours for the joy of
her children. Joy, in fact, is the great hall-mark of true religion,
and follows on the gift of love. The Apostle speaks of "love,
joy, peace." God has given His children so many ways by
which joy comes into their lives, but there is no joy quite like
the happiness of a first confession. There was once a boy who
after his first confession stood up and said, "Gee Father,
that was great." That same experience of joy may be yours.
5. And, after we have learned the way of contrition and the path
of illumination through the use of the Sacrament of Absolution,
then, having humbled ourselves, we are in a position to try humbly
to help others. For the end of the spiritual life is not only
the salvation of our own souls. Salvation is the entering into
a social experience. It is true that it begins in the individual
soul and souls are saved, not by nations, or by armies, but one
by one. But each soul, after it has found the way of redemption,
realizes that its vocation is to know and love and serve God,
and to work along with Him. The most divine of all work is to
labour along with God for the coming of His kingdom of righteousness
and justice and love and joy and peace. His Kingdom has its frontiers
in this world. Find your own salvation, face your own problems,
grow in holiness, and when sin and self are met, turn away from
yourself, forget yourself in working for your fellows. If this
is what you want, your first step is to get right with God.
III. PRACTICAL CONCLUSION
MOST souls want the love and joy and peace which comes from
Absolution, but they lack practical instruction as to how to
prepare themselves. Here is a very simple way in which to get
ready.
1. First of all, go to a place where you can be alone for an
hour. A church, and, if it is possible, one where the Blessed
Sacrament is reserved, is the best place. But it is essential
that you be quiet and alone with God. For the first ten or fifteen
minutes, think about God. Perhaps you will make a picture of
our Lord in your own mind and contemplate Him. Try to see God
and understand His great love for you. Try to realize a little
of what it cost God to redeem you.
2. Take a sheet of paper and divide it up into sections: you
childhood, your later school years, college days, and so on.
Then, after asking God to guide and bless you, note down in these
divisions all the sins you can remember. A sin is a conscious
choice of evil. It is more than the breaking of a rule. Sin is
so sinful because it is the misuse of your great gift of choice
and because it is personal disloyalty and treachery, doing to
death again the Son of God. Remember the difference between temptation
and sin. Temptation is the impulse to do wrong; sin is the willing
to do it. Note down all occasions your can remember in which
you consciously chose to do that which, clearly or dimly, you
knew to be wrong.
3. After, - but only after, - you have noted down all the sins
you recall, it may be of assistance to you if you will check
up your list by referring to the "Examination of Conscience"
which appears in Appendix A of this paper.
4. Then seek out an experienced priest and make your confession.
When you kneel down, first of all he will give you a blessing.
Say: "I confess to God, and before you, Father, that I have
sinned." State when you were baptized, and that this is
your first confession. In subsequent confessions, state when
it was that you made your last one. Then, using the list if it
helps you, state simply and clearly your sins. Do not mention
the names of others. Do not shift the responsibility, but if
there were extenuating circumstances, explain them. When you
have finished stating your sins, then say: "For these and
for all my sins which I cannot now remember, I am heartily sorry,
firmly purpose amendment of life, most humbly ask pardon of God,
and of thee, father, penance, counsel and absolution." Listen
to what the priest has to say. If he says, "Is there anything
you wish to ask about?" ask his advice, if you wish, about
your temptations or problems. At the end he will give you a prayer
or a psalm or a hymn to say as a penance, and then he will pronounce
your Absolution. Return to your place in the church, say your
penance, and then remain on your knees for a few moments, giving
humble and hearty thanks to your Heavenly Father for His blessing
and forgiveness.
Finally we suggest that, just as you observe certain anniversaries
in your life, (your birthday, your baptismal day), it may be
that you will want to remember, year by year, with a Communion
or some other act of thanksgiving, the day of your first Confession.
Appendix A
An Examination of Conscience for Adults
Pride - Have I ... Made God the centre of my life,
or have I made "self" the centre? How? Acted from love
of self? How? Been selfish, self-indulgent, self-seeking? How?
Been stubborn, self willed? How? Been disobedient to God, to
my ideals, to my parents, to any obligations? Tried to dominate
the lives of others? How? Talked too much, called attention to
myself? How often? Been contemptuous of others of their devotion?
Been unkind, or uncharitable? How? Gossiped, slandered, detracted,
spoken cynically, criticized, disparaged? How often? Been sorry
for myself, self pitying, discouraged, depressed, despairing?
Been self conscious, self conceited, self sufficient, self important?
Allowed others to suffer for my faults? Been annoyed when I was
corrected? Been supersensitive? Exaggerated, told lies, been
a hypocrite? Been deceitful? Been unfair? Cheated? Performed
acts of sacrifice for selfish reasons? Been worried, afraid,
allowed myself to get into a panic? Failed to go to Mass on Sundays
and on other days of obligation? Neglected my prayers, attendance
at Mass, and Communions? How many times? Failed to seek guidance
and grace from God in time of need? Gone to mediums, or attended
"spiritualistic" meetings? Failed to rejoice in failures
when they revealed my need of God? Thought God had been unfair
to me? In what way? Presumed on the grace of God by attempting
to do too much? Covetousness - Have I ... Thought, looked
at, said, read, or done anything impure? In what way? How many
times? Associated with bad companions? Caused others to be impure?
Anger - Have I... Been cross, impatient, peevish, discontented,
sullen, sad? Sorry for myself? Dwelt on "hurt feelings"?
Lost my temper? Nourished anger or resentment? Tried to irritate
others? Ridiculed others maliciously? Been undisciplined in thought,
word, or deed? How? Been guilty of unkindness, uncharity, disloyalty,
treachery, violated confidences? Been guilty of any violent action?
What was it? Gluttony - Have I... Eaten or drunk to excess?
Too fond of good eating? Over nice about food, wasted food, spent
too much money on food? Neglected the days of fasting and abstinence?
Been spiritually gluttonous, desiring only sweetness and consolation
in prayer? Envy - Have I... Been grieved at the prosperity
or attainments of others? Been dejected because of the position,
talents, or fortune of others? Delighted in the misfortunes and
failures of others? Sloth - Have I ... Been lazy? How?
Neglected my spiritual duties, or offered them unwillingly or
without devotion? Neglected my family duties? Social duties?
Neglected my business duties? Studied my own ease and comfort?
How? Wasted time? Performed unnecessary acts to have an appearance
of zeal? Refused to offer acts of self sacrifice? How? Grumbled
about little things? Not witnessed to the Faith of Christ? Been
ashamed of my Religion? Not been zealous for the conversion of
others to the Faith? Been unmindful to the suffering of the world?
APPENDIX B
A Self-Examination for Children
Have I ... Wanted my own way too much? Been stubborn, disobedient,
self willed, selfish? Been angry, bad tempered? Rude, sulky,
cross? Been cruel or quarreled with others? Neglected Mass, Holy
Communion, my prayers? Been irreverent? Told lies, cheated in
school or in games, been deceitful? Stolen anything? What was
it? Been greedy about my food? Given way to impure thoughts?
Told or listened to impure stories? Read impure stories? Done
impure things alone or with others? Sworn? Cursed? Used bad language?
Gone with evil companions? Let others into sin? Been lazy at
my prayers, at my work at home or in school? Laughed at others
for doing right? Laughed at any sin? Been ashamed to do right?
Ashamed of my parents or my religion? Been guilty of any other
sin?
PART TWO: Penance
Forms and Prayers for
Self-Examination, Contrition, and
Satisfaction and Amendment of Life
(From Saint Augustine's Prayer Book - 16th Edition,
1964)
THE THREE ELEMENTS OF REPENTANCE
The part of the person approaching this sacrament is repentance.
True repentance has three elements:
1. CONTRITION or sorrow for sin. This can be obtained only at
the foot of the Cross. We may not have an emotion of sorrow,
but when we see what our sins have done to Jesus, we shall be
sorry.
2. CONFESSION of all known sin. This involves a careful examination
of our conscience. We cannot confess our sins until we see exactly
how we look to the all-seeing eye of God.
3. SATISFACTION & AMENDMENT OF LIFE. We must intend to lead
a new or better life. This intention is shown by our acceptance
and performance of the penance imposed by the Priest in confession.
SELF-EXAMINATION
¶ Before self-examination, say this prayer:
O Holy Spirit, Source of all light, Spirit of wisdom, of understanding,
and of knowledge, come to my assistance and enable me to make
a good confession. Enlighten me, and help me now to know my sins
as one day I shall be forced to recognize them before thy judgment
seat. Bring to my mind the evil which I have done and the good
which I have neglected. Permit me not to be blinded by self-love.
Grant me, moreover, heartfelt sorrow for my transgressions, knowing
how deeply they have wounded the living Heart of my Heavenly
Father; and help me to make a good confession that all stain
of guilt may be washed away in the Precious Blood of my Saviour
Jesus Christ. Amen.
Think of yourself as God's child, and of the wickedness of following
Satan rather than your loving Father. Do not be in a hurry, and
do not vex yourself because you cannot remember everything. Be
honest with God and with yourself; this is all God asks of you.
Write down briefly what you remember of your sins. Don't try
to depend on your memory. If there is any question you do not
understand, let it alone, and go on, to the Next
one.
Do not fret about your sins. Remember, you are trying to recall
them in order that you may be forgiven, not that you may be condemned,
"A broken and contrite heart, O God, shalt thou not despise."
1. Pride
Thou shalt have none other gods but me.
Have you been more interested in self than in God?
Have you made it your chief aim to be always on top?
What have you been vain about; personal appearance, clothes,
personality, possessions, your family, ability, success in games
or in studies?
Have you scorned other people for their misfortunes, their sins,
stupidity, or other weaknesses?
Scorned other people's religion?
Talked too much; called attention to yourself?
Been sorry for yourself, self-pitying?
Refused to admit when you were in the wrong? Refused to apologize?
Been resentful or suspicious of others through over-sensitiveness?
Have you been stubborn and self-willed? In what ways?
II. Idolatry
Thou shalt not make to thyself any graven image, nor the likeness
of any thing that is in heaven above, or in the earth beneath,
or in the water under the earth; thou shalt not bow down to them,
nor worship them.
Have you put another person before God's law; by not going to
church, or by committing some other sin to please that person?
Have you wanted popularity so much that you have not said your
prayers, or done some other good things, for fear of being laughed
at?
Have you loved money or clothes too much; or even sinned to get
them?
Gone to mediums, fortune-tellers or astrologers?
III. Profanity
Thou shalt not take the Name of the Lord thy God in vain.
Have you sworn? (Especially, have you misused the Holy Name
of Jesus?)
Have you given way to anxiety, instead of turning to God for
help?
Been worried, afraid, allowed yourself to get into a panic?
Allowed yourself to feel that it was impossible even for God
to help you?
IV. Irreverence
Remember that thou keep holy the Sabbath day.
Have you missed Mass on Sunday, when you could have gone?
Have you failed to say your prayers morning and night? Or to
say them earnestly?
Have you always kept Sunday as you think it ought to be kept?
Have you done some unnecessary work on Sunday?
Have you always tried hard to worship God when in church?
Or have you sometimes been irreverent? Or joked about holy things?
Have you ever been ashamed of your Religion: ashamed of Jesus?
V. Disobedience
Honour thy father and thy mother.
Have you been grateful enough for all your parents have done
for you?
Did you ever disobey them, or others who were over you; or did
you ever obey them slowly and reluctantly?
Have your actions ever caused them anxiety or shame?
Have you ever deliberately disobeyed God or ignored His desires
for you? In what way?
Have you ever shown disregard for the laws of the Church? For
the laws of the land?
Have you contributed as much as you ought to the support or the
happiness of your parents?
What sins have you committed with regard to your wife (husband),
children, or other members of your family?
Have you given as much care and attention as possible to the
religious life of your family; for example, with regard to Grace
at Meals, Family Prayers, Church going, etc.?
Have you seen that your children had adequate and continuous
religious instructions?
Have you been just and generous to people in your employment,
or under your authority in business? In what ways have you failed?
Have you tried to dominate the lives of others unduly? How?
VI. Hate
Thou shalt do no murder.
Have you killed anyone, either in outward deed, or in your
heart?
Have you wished that someone was dead? Have you been angry unjustly?
Struck people? Or hurt them by ridicule or contempt?
Have you ever cursed people?
Have you gossiped about people?
Is there anyone whom you now hold a grudge against? Or are unwilling
to forgive? (Think how often God has forgiven you; and ask Him
to help you to forgive and love your enemies for His sake.)
Have you refused to help people who were in real need of help?
ignored the sick or the poor? Not tried to be friendly with people,
especially with people who are not very popular?
Have you been afraid to stand up for a person when others were
mistreating him?
Have you ever taught (or tempted) another person to sin?
VII. Impurity
Thou shalt not commit adultery.
Have you been impure in thought, word or deed? (You need not
talk much about it, but make it quite plain to the Priest just
what kind of sins you mean; whether they were done alone; or
with a man or woman; and, if possible, how often.?
Have you looked at evil pictures? Or read bad passages in books?
Have you ever used the Bible in this way?
Have you been immodest in actions, or in dress?
Have you been lazy in prayers, work, or study? Neglected business,
family, or social duties?
Have you ever eaten, drunk, or smoked more than was good for
you?
Have you neglected the days of fasting or abstinence?
Broken rules or resolutions which you have made for yourself?
Allowed yourself to be over engrossed in light reading, the movies,
or other pastimes, to the exclusion of worthwhile things?
Have you been cowardly in sickness or pain?
Been unmindful of the suffering of the world?
VIII. Theft
Thou shalt not steal.
Have you ever stolen anything? What things?
Have you shared in stolen goods?
Have you cheated in business, games, or lessons?
Have you been over-extravagant; gambled or bet too much?
Tried hard to pay all your debts?
Contracted debts unnecessarily?
Have you remembered that God has given you all you have?
Have you thanked Him enough?
Have you given as much as you ought to the Church or to charities?
Have you been stingy?
Have you wasted time?
IX. Deceit
Thou shalt not bear false witness.
How many lies have you told?
Have you exaggerated too much?
Been deceitful, unfair, a hypocrite?
Allowed others to receive blame for your faults?
Been harsh toward others, or in speaking of others, for sins
which you also have committed?
X. Discontent
Thou shalt not covet.
Have you been jealous of others, because they had more things,
or more money; or because they were better looking or more successful;
or because someone loves them more than you?
Been grieved at the prosperity or attainments of others?
Been dejected because of the position, talents, or fortune of
others?
Have you been glad when they failed, or were in trouble?
Glad when you heard people speak ill of them?
Have you allowed yourself to be sad and discouraged at times
and not always fought to be brave and joyful?
Have you tried to accept loss or sorrow or had things at the
Hand of God?
Have you thought that God does not love you? Have you ever given
up trying to be good?
Prayer after Self-Examination
O my God, how great are my sins! Would that I had never offended
thee. If by carelessness or ignorance I have forgotten anything
in my self-examination, show it to me now that I may make a good
confession. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
CONTRITION
O my God, I cry unto thee with the prodigal: Father, I have
sinned against heaven, and before thee, and am no more worthy
to be called thy son. But now, O God, give me true sorrow of
heart for my many sins whereby I have grieved thee, and enable
me to make a full confession to thy priest, that I may receive
perfect remission of them, through thine infinite goodness. Amen.
O God, I am very sorry that I have sinned against thee who art
so good. Forgive me for Jesus' sake, and I will try to sin no
more. Amen.
O God, I love thee with my whole heart and above all things and
am heartily sorry that I have offended thee. May I never offend
thee any more. Oh, may I love thee without ceasing, and make
it my delight to do in all things thy most holy will. Amen.
FORM FOR CONFESSION
¶ When your turn comes, kneel in the confessional
or other place where the Priest is sitting, and say immediately:
Bless me, Father, for I have sinned.
¶ When the Priest has given you his blessing, say,
without further delay:
I confess to God Almighty, to all the Saints, and to you, Father,
that I have sinned exceedingly in thought, word, and deed, by
my fault, by my own fault, by my own most grievous fault. Especially,
I accuse myself of the following sins since my last confession
which was .............. ago.
¶ Then, 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. When you have finished
telling your sins, say:
For these and all my other sins which I cannot now remember,
I am heartily sorry, I firmly purpose amendment, and ask pardon
of God, and of you, Father, penance, counsel and absolution.
Wherefore, I beg Blessed Mary, all the Saints, and you, Father,
to pray for me to the Lord our God. Amen.
¶ Listen attentively to anything the Priest may choose
to say; humbly accept the penance he imposes and when he raises
his hand in absolution, make the sign of the cross.
SATISFACTION, AMENDMENT OF LIFE
¶ Return to your place and make your thanksgiving
for your absolution.
I thank thee, my God, for giving me the forgiveness of my
sins, through the Precious Blood of Jesus Christ my Saviour.
Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his
holy Name.
O most merciful God, who in forgiving our sins, rememberest them
no more against us forever, accept my unworthy thanks for thy
great goodness in blotting out my transgressions. Let the grace
of this absolution strengthen and sustain me, and may the pitifulness
of thy great mercy defend me evermore from all assaults of the
enemy. Amen.
¶ Then perform the penance the Priest assigned to
you as follows:
O Lord God, I desire to offer thee the penance which thou
hast given me by the word of thy minister. It is as nothing compared
to the sins which I have committed: nevertheless, I unite it
to the sufferings of my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ and offer
it as an act of adoration of thy devine majesty, of sorrow for
my sins (especially .........), and of supplication for the virtues
of ..............
¶ then say your penance.
O my God, I resolve to show my thanks to thee for receiving
me as thy forgiven child, by fighting against sin in the future.
I resolve by thy grace to avoid what is wrong, to believe what
is true, to do what is right, and to continue thy faithful soldier
and servant unto my life's end.
May the holy Mother of God, my Guardian Angel, and my holy Patron,
join with me in giving thanks unto the Lord for his great goodness,
and loving-kindness, in pardoning mine iniquity. And may the
eternal Father, of his boundless mercy and by the life and death
of his dear Son, enable me to persevere unto the end, and + die
in his favour. Amen.
