What to say in Confession: a simple step-by-step guide
A calm, practical outline for beginning Confession, naming your sins clearly, asking for help, and responding to the priest.
The short answer
Begin Confession by making the Sign of the Cross and telling the priest how long it has been since your last Confession. Then name your sins plainly; for grave sins, give their kind and number as far as you honestly remember. When finished, express sorrow. Listen to the priest, accept the penance, pray an Act of Contrition when invited, receive absolution, and complete your penance afterward. If you forget the order, ask the priest to guide you.
You do not need a polished speech to go to Confession. The priest can guide the celebration, and the wording may vary by parish or circumstance. What matters is that you confess honestly, express sorrow, and receive the sacrament with a real intention to turn away from sin.
What can you say at the beginning of Confession?
The priest may greet you and begin with the Sign of the Cross. A familiar response is:
Bless me, Father, for I have sinned. It has been [length of time] since my last Confession.
Then add one sentence that gives the priest useful context:
- “This is my first Confession.”
- “It has been many years, and I need you to guide me.”
- “I am nervous and may need help with the order.”
- “I made a list because I was worried I would forget.”
The Archdiocese of New York's practical Confession guide uses this familiar opening, but you do not need to panic if the priest begins differently or you forget it. Say why you are there and ask for help.
How should you name your sins?
Speak plainly and take responsibility. Begin with the sins that are hardest to say if delaying them is likely to make you hide them.
For grave sins, the Code of Canon Law directs the faithful to confess by kind and number after a diligent examination of conscience. A clear confession therefore names the act and gives the number as accurately as you reasonably can.
For example, instead of saying only “I was not very loving,” say what you actually chose: “I knowingly lied to my spouse twice,” or “I missed Sunday Mass without a serious reason three times.” If the exact number is not available, give an honest approximation such as “several times” or “about once a week for three months.”
You do not need to tell the entire story. Include a circumstance when it changes the nature or seriousness of what happened. Otherwise, keep the focus on your own choices rather than explaining everything another person did first.
What should you avoid saying?
Avoid language so general that the priest cannot tell what you are confessing. “I made mistakes” or “I have not been good” may be true, but neither identifies a sin.
Also avoid turning the Confession into an account of other people's faults. You may need a little context, but the purpose is to confess your sins, not to establish that someone else was worse.
You do not need:
- a defense of why the choice felt reasonable at the time;
- names or identifying details about other people;
- graphic detail that does not change the kind of sin;
- a list of ordinary imperfections presented as though every one were grave;
- certainty about a theological question you genuinely do not understand.
If you are unsure whether something is sinful or grave, describe it briefly and ask the priest. Do not conceal it because you are uncertain, and do not pretend certainty you do not have.
What can you say when you have finished?
After naming the sins you remember, use a simple closing such as:
I am sorry for these sins and for the sins I may have forgotten.
This does not replace confessing a grave sin you knowingly chose to withhold. It simply expresses sorrow and acknowledges the limits of honest memory.
The priest may ask a question, offer counsel, and assign a penance. Listen carefully. If you do not understand the penance or cannot reasonably perform it, say so before absolution so the priest can clarify or adjust it.
What do you say for the Act of Contrition?
The priest will ordinarily invite you to express contrition. You may use an Act of Contrition you know, read one from a card, or follow the priest's direction. The Archdiocese of New York lists several forms, including a short prayer asking Jesus for mercy.
The Catechism describes contrition as sorrow for sin together with a resolution not to sin again. The prayer is therefore more than an apology. It expresses a sincere return toward God and a purpose of amendment, made with trust in grace.
If you forget every memorized form, say, “Father, I do not remember the prayer.” He can help. A missing line of English is not stronger than an honest heart seeking God's mercy.
What happens while the priest gives absolution?
Listen prayerfully as the priest says the words of absolution. You do not need to repeat them. Respond “Amen” at the end.
The priest may then use a brief exchange of thanksgiving and dismiss you in peace. The exact conclusion can vary. Follow his lead, thank him if appropriate, and leave quietly so the next person can enter.
Complete your assigned penance as soon as reasonably possible. Penance is not a price paid for forgiveness. It is part of your response to the mercy received and helps begin repairing the harm and disorder caused by sin.
What is a simple Confession outline you can remember?
If you want one small structure, remember these six lines:
- “It has been [time] since my last Confession.”
- “These are my sins.”
- Name each sin clearly and briefly.
- “I am sorry for these and all my sins.”
- Listen, accept the penance, and pray an Act of Contrition.
- Say “Amen” after absolution and complete the penance afterward.
If the sequence disappears from your mind as soon as you enter, begin with the sentence that matters most: “Father, I need help making my Confession.” You will not be the first person to say it.
Where Soulv fits
Organizing your words is not making a Confession.
Soulv can help you reflect on a situation or organize what you hope to tell a priest. It cannot hear sacramental Confession, judge the gravity of a sin, give absolution, or protect an app reflection with the sacramental seal. One text reflection is free each rolling month, with no account required.
Common questions
Do I have to begin with the exact words “Bless me, Father” ?
That is a familiar and helpful opening, but local practice and the priest's greeting may vary. The essential thing is not performing one introductory sentence perfectly. Tell the priest how long it has been, say that you want to confess, and ask for guidance if you are unsure.
How much detail should I give about a sin?
Give enough information to identify the kind of sin and, for grave sins, the number as far as you honestly remember. Mention circumstances that substantially change what the act was. Avoid unnecessary stories, graphic detail, other people's identities, and explanations offered only to excuse yourself.
What if the priest asks a question?
Answer honestly and briefly. A priest may need clarification to understand what you are confessing, offer suitable guidance, or assign an appropriate penance. If you do not understand the question or are uncomfortable, say so plainly.
What if I forget the Act of Contrition?
Tell the priest. He can invite you to use another approved form or help you express sorrow and a purpose of amendment. Forgetting the memorized wording is not a reason to avoid Confession.
What if I remember a grave sin after Confession?
An honestly forgotten sin is different from one deliberately concealed. Bring the forgotten grave sin to your next Confession and follow the priest's guidance. Do not assume that a sincere lapse of memory is the same as choosing to hide it.
Sources and review
Reviewed by Karen Minasyan on Sep 3, 2026.
- Catechism of the Catholic Church: The Acts of the Penitent — The Holy See. Contrition, confession to a priest, confession of grave and venial sins, and satisfaction.
- Code of Canon Law: The Sacrament of Penance (Canons 959–997) — The Holy See. The penitent's disposition and the requirement to confess grave sins by kind and number after diligent examination.
- Making a Good Confession — Archdiocese of New York. A practical sequence for the individual celebration, including common opening words, penance, contrition, and absolution.
- Examinations of Conscience — United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Scripture-rooted preparation before celebrating the Sacrament of Penance.
- Soulv: Catholic Reflection — Soulv on the Apple App Store. Soulv's current reflection features, intended uses, and stated limits.