Reconciliation is the sacrament in which the heavenly Father, through the merits of Jesus Christ, receives back his child who has returned repentant. It cancels the sins of our past, but it also serves as a very important means of preserving us from relapses and of correcting our defects.
Receive Reconciliation often—once a week. It is very helpful to go to the same confessor and not change confessors unless necessary.
The conditions for making a good confession are prayer, examination, sorrow, resolution, accusation, and satisfaction. The condition most necessary and completely indispensable for receiving pardon is sorrow joined to resolution.
Before Confession —It is advisable to say one Our Father to Jesus Crucified; a Hail, Holy Queen to the Blessed Virgin Mary, refuge of sinners; an Angel of God to our guardian angel to obtain the grace to clearly know our sins, be deeply sorry for them, and confess them sincerely.
The examination of conscience should be on our thoughts, desires, sentiments, words, actions, and omissions;
p. 123on the Commandments of God and the precepts of the Church; on the spiritual and corporal works of mercy; on the duties of one’s state in life; and, particularly, on piety, study, apostolate, poverty, and the resolutions of the last spiritual exercises.
Dwell especially on the principal resolution, examining the work done, the failings committed, and the progress made.
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