Don’t Be Fearful of Confession

How do you make a good confession? How do you cope with a bad confession? Going to confession is a very vulnerable thing. It can be a great experience, but occasionally, it can be a negative one. Michael Gormley and Dave VanVickle discuss some of the common reasons why people may have a negative experience in confession. They offer advice on how to respond and how to potentially avoid them all together.

Snippet from the Show
The priest is not a priest for himself; he does not give himself absolution; he does not administer the Sacraments to himself. He is not for himself. He is for you.
-St. John Vianney

Examination of Conscience recommended by Fr. Mike Schmitz

Advice for Making a Good Confession

Be Prepared

Do your examination of conscience. Be repentant but do not force yourself to be emotional. Be sincere. Receive what God has to give you.

Penance

Whatever penance you are given, try to do it as immediately as possible. Also, it is acceptable to do more than just the penance you are given. There are prayers you can pray prior to confession, but there are also prayers you can pray after your confession.

Psalm 51 - Psalm of Repentance

Have mercy on me, God, in accord with your merciful love;
in your abundant compassion blot out my transgressions.
Thoroughly wash away my guilt;
and from my sin cleanse me.
For I know my transgressions;
my sin is always before me.
Against you, you alone have I sinned;
I have done what is evil in your eyes
So that you are just in your word,
and without reproach in your judgment.
Behold, I was born in guilt,
in sin my mother conceived me.
Behold, you desire true sincerity;
and secretly you teach me wisdom.
Cleanse me with hyssop, that I may be pure;
wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.
You will let me hear gladness and joy;
the bones you have crushed will rejoice.
Turn away your face from my sins;
blot out all my iniquities.
A clean heart create for me, God;
renew within me a steadfast spirit.
Do not drive me from before your face,
nor take from me your holy spirit.
Restore to me the gladness of your salvation;
uphold me with a willing spirit.
I will teach the wicked your ways,
that sinners may return to you.
Rescue me from violent bloodshed, God, my saving God,
and my tongue will sing joyfully of your justice.
Lord, you will open my lips;
and my mouth will proclaim your praise.
For you do not desire sacrifice or I would give it;
a burnt offering you would not accept.
My sacrifice, O God, is a contrite spirit;
a contrite, humbled heart, O God, you will not scorn.I
Treat Zion kindly according to your good will;
build up the walls of Jerusalem.
Then you will desire the sacrifices of the just,
burnt offering and whole offerings;
then they will offer up young bulls on your altar.

Words of Absolution

God, the Father of mercies,
through the death and resurrection of his Son
has reconciled the world to himself
and sent the Holy Spirit among us
for the forgiveness of sins;
through the ministry of the church
may God give 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.