The Sacrament of Confession

Confession, penance and reconciliation – all three words refer to the same sacrament offering the gift of God’s mercy and forgiveness.  Not only does the Sacrament of Penance free us from our sins but it also challenges us to have the same kind of compassion and forgiveness for those who sin against us.  We are liberated to be forgivers.  Pope Francis has said Confession is an encounter with Jesus whose “mercy motivates us to do better.”

Jesus entrusted the ministry of reconciliation to the Church.  The Sacrament of Penance is God’s gift to us so that any sin committed after Baptism can be forgiven.  In confession we have the opportunity to repent and recover the grace of friendship with God.  It is a holy moment in which we place ourselves in his presence and honestly acknowledge our sins, especially mortal sins.  With absolution, we are reconciled to God and the Church. The Sacrament helps us stay close to the truth that we cannot live without God.  “In him we live and move and have our being” (Acts 17:28). While all the Sacraments bring us an experience of the mercy that comes from Christ’s dying and rising, it is the Sacrament of Reconciliation that is the unique Sacrament of mercy.

For more information on the sacrament of Penance, from the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, click here.

Contact:
Fr. José Marquez, Pastor
Email
Phone

Process:
Fr. José will meet with individuals in a private area known as the confessional.  This is located at the entrance of the Mary Queen of Peace church.  As there may be a group of people, you are requested to wait quietly in line.  As one person leaves the confessional, the next person may enter and close the door to begin the Sacrament of Reconciliation with the Act of Contrition or one of the other Prayers of the Penitent (See the section below, Act of Contrition/Prayers of the Penitent.  You will then confess your sins - having completed an Examination of Conscience. When finished, the confessional door may be left open for the next person.

For more information on the Sacrament of Penance, from the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, click here.

Schedule:
Fr. José is usually available an hour before Mass, or by appointment.

If there is a special circumstance where one cannot participate during the allotted times, then request an appointment with Fr. José.

Act of Contrition/Prayers of the Penitent

Traditional Version
O my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended Thee, and I detest all my sins because of thy just punishments, but most of all because they offend Thee, my God, who art all good and deserving of all my love. I firmly resolve with the help of Thy grace to sin no more and to avoid the near occasion of sin. Amen.

Revised Order of Penance, 2023 (11 options - one of which is the traditional version above)

-1-
O my God,
I am sorry and repent with all my heart
for all the wrong I have done
and for the good I have failed to do,
because by sinning I have offended you,
who are all good and worthy to be loved above all things.
I firmly resolve, with the help of your grace,
to do penance,
to sin no more,
and to avoid the occasions of sin.
Through the merits of the Passion
of our Savior Jesus Christ,
Lord, have mercy.

-2-
Remember, Lord, the compassion and mercy
you showed long ago.
Do not recall my sins and failings.
In your mercy remember me, Lord,
because of your goodness.

-3-
Wash me, O Lord, from my iniquity
and cleanse me from my sin.
I acknowledge my offense; my sin is before me always.

-4-
Father, I have sinned against you
and I am not worthy to be called your son.
Be merciful to me, a sinner.

-5-
O God, most merciful Father,
like the Prodigal Son, I turn to you and say:
I have sinned against you;
I am no longer worthy to be called your child.
O Jesus Christ, Savior of the world,
like the thief to whom you opened the gates of paradise,
I beg you:
Lord, remember me in your Kingdom.
O Holy Spirit, fount of love,
with trust I call upon you:
Purify me;
make me walk as a child of the light.

-6-
Lord Jesus,
who opened the eyes of the blind, healed the sick,
forgave the sinful woman,
and, after his denial, confirmed Peter in your love,
hear my plea:
forgive all my sins,
renew me in your love,
and grant that I may live in perfect communion
with my brothers and sisters and so proclaim your salvation to all.

-7-
Lord Jesus,
who chose to be called the friend of sinners,
through the mystery of your Death and Resurrection,
free me from my sins.
May your peace grow strong in me, that I may bear the fruits of charity, justice, and truth.

-8-
Lord Jesus Christ, Lamb of God,
who take away the sin of the world,
through the grace of the Holy Spirit
be pleased to reconcile me with your Father;
cleanse me in your Blood from every fault
and make me fully alive to the praise of your glory.

-9-
Have mercy on me, O God,
according to your merciful love;
turn your face from my sins and blot out all my guilt;
create a pure heart in me, O God,
renew an upright spirit deep within me.

-10-
Lord Jesus, Son of God,
have mercy on me, a sinner.