St. Michael Catholic Church
Confession
5.) PRAYER OF THE PENITENT
-Pray a prayer expressing sorrow
for your sins and resolving not to sin again. Two suggested
prayers are given here:
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.
(Rite of Penance, no. 45)
or
Lord Jesus Christ,
you are the Lamb of God;
you take away the sins of the world.
Through the grace of the Holy Spirit
restore me to friendship with your Father,
cleanse me from every stain of sin
in the blood you shed for me,
and raise me to new life
for the glory of your name.
(Rite of Penance, no. 91)
6.) ABSOLUTION-The priest extends his hands over your
head and pronounces the formula of absolution, making
the sign of the cross over your head during the final words.
You answer, "Amen."
7.) PROCLAMATION OF PRAISE-Praise the mercy of God
and give him thanks in a short invocation taken from
Scripture, such as "Rejoice in the Lord and sing for joy,
friends of God" (Ps 32: 1- 7,10-11), "The Lord has remembered
his mercy" (Lk 1:46-55), or "Blessed be God who chose us
in Christ" (Eph 1:3-10) (Rite of Penance, no. 206).
8.) DISMISSAL-The priest dismisses you with the command to
go in peace. Continue to express your conversion through a
life renewed according to the Gospel and more and more steeped
in the love of God.