To worthily receive Christ in the Holy Eucharist, one must be a baptized Catholic in a state of grace. At Mater Dei, priests are available to hear confession during or after almost all Masses – see Mass and Confession Times page for details. Lines form outside the confessionals, located at the back of the church.
The Confessionals at Mater Dei
Going to confession at Mater Dei may remind one of something he has seen in the movies – wooden “booths,” kneelers, and a screen of anonymity between you and the priest.
You do not need to know Latin to confess at Mater Dei, although the priest may say the prayers of absolution in Latin.
Practical tips on how to go to Confession
In preparation for Confession
- 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 [time] since my last confession. I am [age, status (married with children, single, widow, etc), gender], and these are my sins ..”
Confess your sins to the priest according to their number and kind, beginning with mortal sins.
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 mortally sins as mortal sin.
- End your confession with “for these and all my sins I am truly sorry,” or words to that effect (the priest should not have to ask you if that is all you have to confess).
- Say an Act of Contrition when the priest asks you to recite it, thinking about the words you are saying, unless 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.
- When the priest finishes giving you absolution, you may say “Thank you Father,” or some other suitable closing.
Resources for Confession
- Examination of Conscience for Adults : A Comprehensive Examination Of Conscience Based On Twelve Virtues For The Twelve Months Of The Year – by Rev. Donald Miller C.Ss.R.