Confession

[willguy]

Okay, so I go to confession, but I don't really know the proper way (or if there is a proper way) to do it. I just go in and start confessing and when I'm done and the priest says to say a prayer of contrition I do (sometimes a formal one, sometimes a personal one). Is this it, or is there more structure?

[phatcatholic]

that about does it. just make sure that you say your act of contrition before he gives you absolution, and that you recieve a penance before you leave the confessional. it is important that we are reconciled with both God AND man.

here's the formal "act of contrition":

Oh, My God, I am heartily sorry for having offended you,
and I detest all of my sins, because of their just punishments,
but most of all because they offend you my God,
who are all good and worthy of all my love.
I firmly resolve, with the help of your grace,
to sin no more, and to avoid the near occasions of sin.

Amen.

[-I---Love]

If u wanna be technical ur suppose to start off

"Bless me Father for I have sinned, it has been ______________ such and such a time since my last Confession. My sins are...."

[Theoketos]

You should also tell the Priest if you have any habitual sins...

[CatholicCrusader]

Actually, the formal Act of Contrition is:

O my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended Thee, and I detest all my sins because I dread the loss of Heaven and the pains of hell but most of all because they offend Thee, my God, Who art all good and deserving of all my love. I firmly resolve with the help of Thy grace to confess my sins, to do penance, and to amend my life. Amen.

[cmotherofpirl]

Yes it is.
But as long as yo get the sorry part and the resolve part right, you have said an act of contrition.