St. Clare of Montefalco Parish

A Catholic Community in
Detroit and Grosse Pointe Park, MI USA

Facebook Instagram X (Twitter)

Tips to make a good Confession

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