Reconciliation (Confession or Penance)
The Gospel of John 20:23 tells us that on the night of Christ's resurrection, the disciples were gathered in fear behind locked doors. Jesus came and stood among them and said: "'Peace be with you.' After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, 'Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.' When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, 'Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.'"
The first thing we should remember about the Sacrament of Penance is that it is a gift of God. Jesus gave it to the Church as a fruit of his own death and resurrection. It would be ungrateful of us to fail to make use of it.
Regular reception of the sacrament is also recommended. In this way we become more deeply conformed to Christ and submissive to the voice of the Holy Spirit.
How to go to Confession
Before entering the confessional, the penitent makes an examination of conscience.
The priest greets the penitent with words of welcome.
The penitent responds and makes the Sign of the Cross.
The priest may read a short selection from the Bible.
The penitent tells the priest how long it has been since the last confession. If the penitent has committed any grave sins since the last confession, they must be confessed. It is helpful to mention one's most troublesome venial sins, but it is not necessary to give a detailed list of them.
The priest will give any necessary advice and assign a penance.
The penitent expresses sorrow. This need not be a long prayer. A prayer based on Scripture is preferred - for example, "Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner."
The priest then places his hands on the penitent's head (or extends his hand toward the penitent) and prays the words of absolution:
God, the Father of mercy, through the death and resurrection of his Son, has reconciled the world to himself and poured out the Holy Spirit among us for the forgiveness of sins; through the ministry of the Church may God grant you pardon and peace, and I absolve you from your sins in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit."
The penitent answers:
Amen.
The priest then says:
Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good.
The penitent answers:
His mercy endures for ever.
The priest then dismisses the penitent, who should perform the penance as soon as possible.