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Reconciliation, or penance, is one of Catholicism's seven sacraments, and followers are expected to go to confession at least once a year. Rest assured that the priest, bound by the seal of confession, will not divulge your sins.

Step 1: Examine actions since last confession
Examine your actions since your last confession. Reflect on those that have hurt other people or distanced you from God. Perhaps you’ve acted selfishly with a friend, or treated a family member unkindly. It goes without saying that you should already be reflecting on the heavy hitters, like adultery or theft.

Step 2: Find out confession schedule
Call your local church or consult the parish bulletin to find out when confessions are scheduled. If necessary, you can also arrange a different time with a priest.

Step 3: Enter the confessional
Enter the confessional or the designated meeting place.

Tip
You do not have to be in a classic confessional to receive the sacrament of reconciliation.

Step 4: Greet the priest
Greet the priest.

Step 5: Tell priest last confession date
Say, "Bless me, Father, for I have sinned. It's been X days, months, or years since my last confession."

Step 6: Tell priest of hurtful actions
Tell the priest about the hurtful actions you thought about earlier.

Tip
Rather than giving him a laundry list of sins, take the opportunity to have an open dialogue with your confessor.

Step 7: Receive penance from priest
Receive your penance from the priest, which is usually some form of prayer or reconciliation with another person.

Step 8: Say the Act of Contrition
Say the Act of Contrition.

Step 9: Receive priest's absolution
Receive the priest's absolution, which frees you of your sins.

Step 10: Do your penance
Do your penance and resolve, as best you can, to avoid the same sins in the future.

Step 11: Celebrate your forgiveness
Celebrate your forgiveness—just try not to commit any sins while doing so.

Did You Know?
A priest cannot break the confessional seal under penalty of automatic excommunication—even to report a crime.

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