How To Go To Confession: 14 Steps (with Pictures) - WikiHow

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Terms of Use wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Learn why people trust wikiHow Catholic Confession: How to Perform the Sacrament of Penance PDF download Download Article How confession works and what you should say Co-authored by Liz Cooledge Jenkins and Luke Smith, MFA

Last Updated: January 18, 2025 Fact Checked

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  • Before Confession
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  • During Confession
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  • After Confession
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  • Rosary Prayer
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  • Q&A
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  • Tips
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This article was co-authored by Liz Cooledge Jenkins and by wikiHow staff writer, Luke Smith, MFA. Liz Cooledge Jenkins is a Christian Theology Expert based in Seattle, Washington. She is a freelance writer and preacher. Liz’s writing is focused at the intersections of faith, feminism, and social justice. She is the author of Nice Churchy Patriarchy: Reclaiming Women's Humanity from Evangelicalism. She also blogs at her own Substack, and has written for outlets such as Sojourners, The Christian Century, Premier Christianity, Christians for Social Action, Red Letter Christians, and Feminism & Religion. She worked as a Chaplain for King County Fire District in Burien Washington. Prior to that, she served as College Ministry Director at Peninsula Bible Church in Palo Alto, California. She received a Master of Divinity degree from Fuller Theological Seminary. She earned a BS in Symbolic Systems from Stanford University. There are 7 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 390,917 times.

Confession can be a little intimidating, but it’s worth it to receive God’s grace and forgiveness. Remember that the priest is there to help, not judge, and that there’s no reason to feel afraid or ashamed. Whether you’re a long-time Catholic who’s gone a bit too long without visiting the confessional or are receiving the sacrament for the first time, we’ll guide you through what you need to do before, during, and after your confession in order to receive forgiveness. Let’s get that weight off your shoulders.

Things You Should Know

  • Visit your church during a designated confession time or call your priest to schedule a private confession.
  • Examine your conscience and make a note of any sins you can remember, and which you’ll confess to the priest
  • Begin your confession with, "Bless me, Father, for I have sinned. It has been [this long] since my last confession,” then explain your sins to the priest.
  • Listen to the priest’s counsel and assigned penance, then say the Act of Contrition. After, complete your penance as soon as possible.

Steps

Part 1 Part 1 of 3:

Before Confession

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  1. Step 1 Find a confession session at your local church. 1 Find a confession session at your local church. Most churches hold designated times for confession. Call or visit your local parish’s website to find the schedule, or call you priest to schedule a private session.[1]
    • Many churches announce confession times on a sign outside the church or as part of the church bulletin, which can almost always be found at the entrances. Some are even up online!
    • Private sessions are a good idea if you have a lot to talk about. A normal confession may last about 5-10 minutes. If you think yours will last a lot longer, feel free to ask for a private session.
  2. Step 2 Examine your conscience and identify your sins. 2 Examine your conscience and identify your sins. An examination of conscience is a mental review of your wrongdoings that you perform before confession. Think back on any sins that you’ve committed since your last confession, and make a mental note of them, or write them down so that you don’t forget them when you enter the confessional.[2]
    • Many people choose to make an examination of conscience by reviewing the 10 commandments, or by reviewing some of these questions:[3]
      • Have I disobeyed any of the commandments?
      • Have I nourished my faith?
      • Has anything else in my life influenced me more than God?
      • Have I denied or doubted my faith?
      • Have I hurt others, either accidentally or purposefully?
      • Have I rejected any part of my faith?
      • Have I been forgiving?
      • What are the causes of my sins? What temptations do I surround myself with?
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  3. Step 3 Pray and ask God for grace and an honest confession. 3 Pray and ask God for grace and an honest confession. Before you enter the confessional, take a moment to collect yourself and place yourself in a state of grace. It's always a good idea to say a little prayer before confession to ensure that all goes well, nothing escapes your memory, and to ensure that your penitence is meaningful and true. You want to go in with nothing but the best of intentions.
    • Remember that the most important part of confession is your honesty and earnestness. Even if you forget to confess some sins, what matters is that you’re seeking forgiveness.
    • Also keep in mind that the priest has vowed to keep your confession a secret, and to keep it even under threat of death! You don’t have to be afraid to admit to your wrongdoings; it stays between you, the priest, and God.
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Part 2 Part 2 of 3:

During Confession

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  1. Step 1 Enter the confessional and begin your confession. 1 Enter the confessional and begin your confession. When the priest is ready, take your place in the confessional—someone else will exit the confessional, or the priest will motion you in). Sit down either across from him or behind the screen—it's totally up to you whether or not you prefer to remain anonymous. The priest will begin with the sign of the cross, and then you say:[4]
    • "Bless me, Father, for I have sinned. It has been [however many weeks, months, or years] since my last confession."
    • Sometimes the priest will then make some conversation about your faith or your personal life. This is an opportunity to relax and make yourself comfortable before you dive into confessing your sins.
  2. Step 2 Confess your sins. 2 Confess your sins. You can be as specific or as general as you like, but make sure you’re being honest and not avoiding the matter. Err on the brief side—there’s no need to give a full recount of every sin. That said, take your time, and focus on forgiveness and grace, rather than any shame you might feel while explaining your sins.[5] [6]
    • For example, a brief confession of a sin might be something like, “I was unkind to my coworker a few weeks ago,” or, “I gossiped about my sister to my friend.”
    • Take special care to confess your mortal sins. If you’re not sure if a sin is venial or mortal, or if you’re having trouble grappling with your sins, ask your priest for counsel. No matter what you confess, he’s there to listen and be understanding.
    • When you’re finished, say something like, “These are all the sins I can remember,” or, “I ask forgiveness for these sins,” to signal to the priest that you’ve finished.
  3. Step 3 Say your Act of Contrition after the priest assigns your penance. 3 Say your Act of Contrition after the priest assigns your penance. The priest will talk to you a bit about your sins and may ask about your intentions. Then, he’ll give you penance—an act of prayer you’ll fulfill in order to be fully forgiven. Listen intently and make a note of what you’ve been told to do. The priest will then ask you to make an Act of Contrition. Recite:[7]
    • ”My God, I am sorry for my sins with all my heart.In choosing to do wrong and failing to do good,I have sinned against You whom I should loveabove all things. I firmly intend, with your help,to do penance, to sin no more, andto avoid whatever leads me to sin.Our Savior Jesus Christ suffered and died for us.In his name, my God, have mercy.”
    • Don’t worry if you forget the prayer; the priest will help you recite it.
    • Penance often comes in the form of saying a certain number of prayers or doing charitable acts.
  4. Step 4 Listen as the priest offers absolution, then take your leave. 4 Listen as the priest offers absolution, then take your leave. After you say your Act of Contrition, the priest will offer the Prayer of Absolution. Listen closely and do your best to absorb and appreciate the words. When he’s finished, say “Amen.” The priest will then say, “Give thanks to the Lord for he is good.” Respond with, “His mercy endures forever,” thank the priest, and exit the confessional.[8]
    • ”Absolution" means your sins are washed away. "Penance" is your expression of regret and repentance, showing God that you're truly sorry for what you've done and that you wish for nothing more than to be forgiven.
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Part 3 Part 3 of 3:

After Confession

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  1. Step 1 Spend some time in the church and reflect on your confession. 1 Spend some time in the church and reflect on your confession. Take a moment to offer a prayer to God, thanking him for forgiveness. This is a great time to unwind if you find that confessing your sins made you a bit anxious—that’s a natural reaction! Relax and revel in your restored grace, and contemplate on how you plan to avoid sin in the future.[9]
  2. Step 2 Complete your penance. 2 Complete your penance. Whatever the priest suggested you do for penance is best completed as soon as possible. Whether that's while you linger in the Church or later by asking for forgiveness from a loved one, seek to fulfill your commitment to penance as soon as you can.[10]
  3. Step 3 Plan your next confession. 3 Plan your next confession. Just because you’ve been forgiven for your sins, it doesn’t mean God expects you to never sin again. We’re only human, after all. But it’s important to keep going to confession to keep being forgiven and to foster your grace and spiritual connection to God. Try to go to confession once a week or so.[11]
    • There’s no set schedule for how often you should confess. God will accept your confession and offer forgiveness even if you go years without confessing, but it’s best to confess more often than not.
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Rosary Prayer

Rosary in English Rosary in Latin

Community Q&A

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  • Question If you are not a Catholic , can you confess? And what and what will you say? Or is there a particular statement to recite? wikiHow Staff Editor wikiHow Staff Editor Staff Answer This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness. wikiHow Staff Editor wikiHow Staff Editor Staff Answer Only baptized Catholics can take part in the sacrament, but you may be able to speak to a priest about your sins anyway. Call your local church and explain your situation, and see if they can schedule a less formal meeting. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 2 Helpful 7
  • Question What if a forget how to say the Act of Contrition because I am nervous? wikiHow Staff Editor wikiHow Staff Editor Staff Answer This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness. wikiHow Staff Editor wikiHow Staff Editor Staff Answer Don't worry! The priest will understand and help you recite the prayer. They've performed the sacrament many times, and know how nervous you might be. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 2 Helpful 11
  • Question During confession, do you recite the Act of Contrition by heart or read from a prayer book? Community Answer Community Answer If you know it by heart, that's great, but if you need to read from a prayer book, that's totally okay. The only thing that matters is that you mean the words you are saying. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 13 Helpful 104
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Tips

    • Understand the difference between mortal and venial sins: Venial sins are the careless, small sins we commit every day, like lying or being rude. Venial sins can be erased through other sacraments like the Eucharist, but should still be confessed. Mortal sins, meanwhile, are grave purposeful sins like adultery or murder, and require confession to restore your grace.
  • It’s alright to get emotional while in confession. Your priest is prepared and equipped to lend an understanding ear. Thanks Helpful 3 Not Helpful 0
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Warnings

  • Don’t intentionally leave out a mortal sin. If you choose not to mention it, then your confession will be invalid and you will not be forgiven. Thanks Helpful 7 Not Helpful 0
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Things You'll Need

  • The Rosary or chaplet (optional)

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References

  1. ↑ https://aleteia.org/2017/08/12/how-to-go-to-confession-when-you-havent-gone-in-years/
  2. ↑ https://olfparish.org/uploads/docs/stepbystepguidetoconfession.pdf
  3. ↑ https://www.beginningcatholic.com/catholic-examination-of-conscience
  4. ↑ https://www.ncregister.com/info/confession_guide_for_adults
  5. ↑ Liz Cooledge Jenkins. Christian Theology Expert. Expert Interview
  6. ↑ https://www.altoonacathedral.org/confession-step-by-step/
  7. ↑ https://www.usccb.org/resources/Bulletin-Insert-Penance-ENG.pdf
  8. ↑ https://www.usccb.org/resources/Bulletin-Insert-Penance-ENG.pdf
  9. ↑ https://aleteia.org/2017/08/12/how-to-go-to-confession-when-you-havent-gone-in-years/
More References (2)
  1. ↑ https://aleteia.org/2017/08/12/how-to-go-to-confession-when-you-havent-gone-in-years/
  2. ↑ https://aleteia.org/2017/08/12/how-to-go-to-confession-when-you-havent-gone-in-years/

About This Article

Liz Cooledge Jenkins Co-authored by: Liz Cooledge Jenkins Christian Theology Expert This article was co-authored by Liz Cooledge Jenkins and by wikiHow staff writer, Luke Smith, MFA. Liz Cooledge Jenkins is a Christian Theology Expert based in Seattle, Washington. She is a freelance writer and preacher. Liz’s writing is focused at the intersections of faith, feminism, and social justice. She is the author of Nice Churchy Patriarchy: Reclaiming Women's Humanity from Evangelicalism. She also blogs at her own Substack, and has written for outlets such as Sojourners, The Christian Century, Premier Christianity, Christians for Social Action, Red Letter Christians, and Feminism & Religion. She worked as a Chaplain for King County Fire District in Burien Washington. Prior to that, she served as College Ministry Director at Peninsula Bible Church in Palo Alto, California. She received a Master of Divinity degree from Fuller Theological Seminary. She earned a BS in Symbolic Systems from Stanford University. This article has been viewed 390,917 times. 2 votes - 100% Co-authors: 24 Updated: January 18, 2025 Views: 390,917 Categories: Catholicism Article SummaryX

When you go to confession, prepare by asking yourself if you have disobeyed any commandments, doubted your faith, or hurt others. Remember that the priest can’t disclose your secrets or pass judgement on you, so you can be totally honest with him. When you enter the confessional, make the sign of the cross as the priest prompts you to. You can remain anonymous if you wish, or identify yourself. Either way, the priest won’t treat you any differently. You should follow his lead in the conversation, but don’t worry about following a traditional format. Just think of confession is a casual conversation between you, the priest and God. For more tips on going to confession, like how to complete your penance and reflect on your session afterwards, keep reading! Did this summary help you?YesNo

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Yes No Advertisement Cookies make wikiHow better. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Liz Cooledge Jenkins Co-authored by: Liz Cooledge Jenkins Christian Theology Expert Co-authors: 24 Updated: January 18, 2025 Views: 390,917 100% of readers found this article helpful. 2 votes - 100% Click a star to add your vote Joe Sardo

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"Looking to go to confession after a two- or three-year absence. The article really helped on a practical level, but..." more Ann Dale

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"It has given me courage for confessions, enlightened my thoughts and guided me through the process of confessions...." more Rated this article: Solomon Ikpekpe

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"Although I knew how to go to confession and have been going, but this opened my eyes to some few things I have been..." more Rated this article: Yuhan Padsoyan

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"I was going to have my first confession, and I learned a lot. Being honest is the best thing in the whole world...." more Rated this article: Frank Maduaii

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