Manner of Making Confession
Having entered the confessional, place yourself in the presence of God, Who sees all things, and then address His minister:
Bless me, Father, for I have sinned.
I confess to Almighty God, and to you, Father, that I have sinned exceedingly in thought, word, deed and omission, through my fault.
It has been one week, (or,—weeks), since my last worthy confession. I accuse myself of having committed, during that time, the following sins:
Without exaggerating or extenuating the offenses of which you may be conscious, tell them, as if to God Himself, with a humble, sorrowful and contrite heart. Afterwards, it will be well, though it is never obligatory, to specify some one sin of the past which is especially calculated to dispose the soul to deeper contrition. This being briefly done, say:
For these, and for all the sins of which I have at any time been guilty, I humbly ask pardon of God, and absolution of you, Father, if you think me worthy.
Then listen attentively to anything the confessor may choose to say; humbly accept the penance he imposes; and, when he raises his hand in absolution, recite the Act of Contrition.
Prayers after Confession
After confession we should return thanks to God for His mercies in forgiving our sins, beg that He supply whatever has been wanting to us and bless our good resolutions, and immediately thereafter say our penance.
Prayer for Perseverance
My Lord and my God! In the greatness of Thy mercy Thou hast received me as Thy prodigal child. I thank Thee with all the power of my soul. I came to Thee a sinful man and Thou hast received me with mercy. I was an outcast but Thou hast welcomed me as a friend. Without Thee, O Lord, I am nothing but misery and sin, but with Thee I have everything. I am weak, strengthen me O Lord, I am tired, refresh my soul that I become strong and robust in my determination to live the life of a manly Catholic and properly and fearlessly perform the duties of my state of life, ever filled with the fear and love of God, my Creator and Redeemer.
