EXAMINATION OF CONSCIENCE
Has it been a while since your last confession? Wondering how to prepare the Sacrament of Reconciliation?
Before celebrating the Sacrament of Penance, prepare yourself with an examination of conscience. An examination of conscience is a “prayerful self-reflection on our words and deeds in the light of the Gospel to determine how we may have sinned against God.” Here is a quick guide.
WHEN CAN I MAKE A CONFESSION?
Penance is heard on Saturday mornings at Sacred Heart following the 8:00 am mass and at other times by appointment (865.588.0249).
During Advent and Lent, the parish celebrates a communal Rite of Reconciliation, i.e. the Advent Penance Service and the Lenten Penance Service. Sacred Heart also offers All-Day Confessions 9:00 am – 9:00 pm on Ash Wednesday.
First Penance
- Youth are prepared for First Penance at Sacred Heart Cathedral School and in the Cathedral Kids Religious Education classes prior to making First Communion in second grade.
- Adults are prepared for First Penance during the Becoming Catholic process and celebrate the sacrament prior to becoming Catholic.
How To Go To Confession
PREPARATION
Before going to confession, take some time to pray and reflect on your life. How have you — in your thoughts, words, and actions — neglected to live Christ’s commands to “love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind,” and to “love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22:37, 39)? As a help with this “examination of conscience,” you might review the Ten Commandments or the Beatitudes (Exodus 20:2-17; Deuteronomy 5:6-21; Matthew 5:3-10; or Luke 6:20-26).
GREETING
The priest will welcome you; he may say a short blessing or read a Scripture passage.
THE SIGN OF THE CROSS
Together, you and the priest will make the Sign of the Cross. You may then begin your confession with these or similar words: “Bless me, Father, for I have sinned. It has been [give days, months, or years] since my last confession.”
CONFESSION
Confess all your sins to the priest. If you are unsure what to say, ask the priest for help. When you are finished, conclude with these or similar words: “I am sorry for these and all my sins.”
PENANCE
The priest will propose an act of penance. The penance might be prayer, a work of mercy or an act of charity. He might also counsel you on how to better live a Christian life.
ACT OF CONTRITION
After the priest has conferred your penance, pray an Act of Contrition, expressing sorrow for your sins and resolving to sin no more. A suggested Act of Contrition is:
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 love above all things. I firmly intend, with your help, to do penance, to sin no more, and to avoid whatever leads me to sin. Our Savior Jesus Christ suffered and died for us. In his name, my God, have mercy.
ABSOLUTION
The priest will extend his hands over your head and pronounce the words of absolution. You respond, “Amen.”
PRAISE
The priest will usually praise the mercy of God and will invite you to do the same. For example, the priest may say, “Give thanks to the Lord for he is good.” And your response would be, “His mercy endures for ever” (Rite of Penance, no. 47).
DISMISSAL
The priest will conclude the sacrament, often saying, “Go in peace.”
~via the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops