The Sacrament of Confession and Tips to Make a Good One

As we travel with our Lord through Holy Week, there is still time to be reconciled with God through his gift to us in the Sacrament of Confession. Many Catholics who have fallen away from the faith did not go to confession regularly, which is quite sad because there is so much healing as well as forgiveness

available. As I left Church tonight, with the words of forgiveness from Jesus himself still ringing in my ears, I was so thankful that I have returned to the Catholic faith. How did I ever live without this precious sacrament, given by Jesus to the Church? If you get nervous about going, as I do, here's some great tips from Father Z:

We should…

1) …examine our consciences regularly and thoroughly;
2) …wait our turn in line patiently;
3) …come at the time confessions are scheduled, not a few minutes before they are to end;
4) …speak distinctly but never so loudly that we might be overheard;
5) …state our sins clearly and briefly without rambling;
6) …confess all mortal sins in number and kind;
7) …listen carefully to the advice the priest gives;
8) …confess our own sins and not someone else’s;
9) …carefully listen to and remember the penance and be sure to understand it;
10) …use a regular formula for confession so that it is familiar and comfortable;
11) …never be afraid to say something “embarrassing”… just say it;
12) …never worry that the priest thinks we are jerks…. he is usually impressed by our courage;
13) …never fear that the priest will not keep our confession secret… he is bound by the Seal;
14) …never confess “tendencies” or “struggles”… just sins;
15) …never leave the confessional before the priest has finished giving absolution;
16) …memorize an Act of Contrition;
17) …answer the priest’s questions briefly if he asks for a clarification;
18) …ask questions if we can’t understand what he means when he tells us something;
19) …keep in mind that sometimes priests can have bad days just like we do;
20) …remember that priests must go to confession too … they know what we are going through.