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.