Rite of Penance

The priest and penitent:

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

The priest invites the penitent to have trust in God, in these or similar words:

May God, who has enlightened every heart, help you to know your sins and trust in his mercy.

The penitent answers:

Amen.

The priest may read or say from memory a text of Scripture that proclaims God’s mercy and calls each person to conversion.

The penitent confesses his own sins, listens to the words of the priest, accepts the act of penance proposed, and, invited by the priest, manifests his sorrow by reciting the Act of Contrition or another similar formula.

Act of Contrition

Merciful Lord, I have sinned, and sinned exceedingly through my fault, through my most grievous fault. I am ungrateful. What would become of me if at this moment you were to call me before your tribunal?
My crucified Jesus, I hope to obtain pardon through your most precious blood. Mary, refuge of sinners, obtain mercy for me. I resolve to sin no more and to avoid the near occasions of sin and I renew my principal resolution.

Or:

My God, I am sorry for my sins with all my heart.
In choosing to do wrong and failing to do good, I have sinned against you whom I want to love above all things. I firmly intend, with your help, to do penance, to sin no more, and to avoid whatever leads me to sin. Our Savior Jesus Christ suffered and died for us. In his name, my God, have mercy.

Or else one of the following aspirations:

My Jesus, have mercy.

Jesus, love all burning, I wish I had never offended you; O my dear and good Jesus, I resolve not to offend you again.

Then the priest extends his hands over the penitent’s head (or at least extends his right hand) and says:

God, the Father of mercies, through the death and resurrection of his Son has reconciled the world to himself and sent the Holy Spirit among us for the forgiveness of sins; through the ministry of the Church may God give you pardon and peace, and I absolve you from your sins in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

The penitent answers:

Amen.

After the absolution, the priest continues:

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good.

The penitent concludes:

His mercy endures forever.

Then the priest dismisses the penitent who has been reconciled, saying:

The Lord has freed you from your sins. Go in peace.

Or:

May the passion of our Lord Jesus Christ, the intercession of the Blessed Virgin and of all the saints, whatever good you do and suffering you endure, heal your sins, help you to grow in holiness, and reward you with eternal life. Go in peace.

Immediately after the priest’s dismissal, the penitent will make, if he can, the act of penance imposed as satisfaction (penance); then he will recall and fix well in mind the advice received from the priest and will renew his resolutions.