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How to confess

Step by step, without the awkwardness

For many, the biggest obstacle to confession is simply not knowing what to say. The guide in Holymeet walks through every step and gives the actual sentences that open and close a confession.

What it gives you

A sample — a few pointers

1

Examine your conscience

Quietly go through the commandments and recall the time since your last confession.

2

Greeting and how long it has been

You begin with the sign of the cross and say when you last confessed.

3

Name the sins honestly

Without softening or excusing — the priest is there to help, not to judge.

4

Contrition and penance

You pray the act of contrition, receive absolution and carry out the penance given.

These are pointers only. The full guide, with the words that are spoken, opens inside the app.

Preparing for a good confession

Confession has an order: examining the conscience, sincere contrition, the resolve to sin no more, naming the sins before the priest, and finally the penance. Once you have gone through it with a guide, you will not need one next time.

The usual obstacle is not sin but discomfort — not knowing how to begin, what to say and how to finish. That is why the guide gives concrete sentences at every step rather than a description, and links to the examination of conscience for preparing beforehand.

The guide is written for people who have not confessed in years and for those going for the first time since confirmation. It does not assume you know any formulas by heart: each step shows what to say, from the greeting to the thanks after absolution.

Frequently asked questions

What if I cannot remember when my last confession was?

Tell the priest roughly — "it has been a few years" is perfectly enough. An exact date is not required.

Do I have to list absolutely everything?

Grave sins should be confessed sincerely. If you forget something without meaning to, the confession is still valid.

What if I get flustered halfway through?

Priests are used to helping and leading the conversation. You can keep the guide open on your phone while you wait.

How long does a confession take?

Usually a few minutes. The preparation at home, through the examination of conscience, takes longer than the confession itself.