Confession
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Come to confession and receive the mercy and peace of Christ!
Hear the beautiful words of absolusion, and know that your sins are forgiven.Call the parish office to make an appointment at (240)681-3551, come before/after Mass, or at the scheduled confession times:
Wednesdays: 7-8 PM
Saturdays: 4-5 PM
Practical Tips on How to Go to Confession
In preparation for Confession
· Examine your conscience. Click here for guidelines on how to examine your conscience.
· Be sorry for your sins, including the firm purpose to avoid these and all sins in the future, and to give up all occasions of sin. Without this, the priest cannot take your sins away.
REMEMBER: Thinking that you may fall again in the future does not negate your good intention here and now – the intention here and now to be done with the sin is sufficient for absolution.
When in the Confessional
· Begin with “Bless me Father for I have sinned, it has been [however long] since my last confession.” If Father doesn’t know you already, continue with, “ I am [age] and [state of life (married with children, single, widow, etc)].” Then confess your sins to the priest, beginning with any mortal sins (sins of grave matter* committed with full knowledge and consent); name the sin and the number of times you committed it, as best as you can figure.
· Note on “grave matter” from the Catechism of the Catholic Church:
“1858. Grave matter is specified by the Ten Commandments, corresponding to the answer of Jesus to the rich young man: "Do not kill, Do not commit adultery, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Do not defraud, Honor your father and your mother." The gravity of sins is more or less great: murder is graver than theft. One must also take into account who is wronged: violence against parents is in itself graver than violence against a stranger.”
REMEMBER: While it is possible that a habit may mitigate the gravity of a sin, we cannot know in each case how this might apply. Therefore, we treat all objectively mortal sins as such.
· End your confession with “for these and all my sins I am truly sorry,” or words to that effect.
· If you have a question for Father about your confession, his advice or penance, or some other matter appropriately brought up in the confessional – this would be the time to ask it. Then say an Act of Contrition when the priest asks you to recite it, thinking about the words you are saying,Act of Contrition
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.
When the priest finishes giving you absolution, and closes with “go in peace,” respond: “Thanks be to God.”
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