Before entering the confessional, collect your thoughts and try to recall all of your sins. You can use the below examination of conscience to help with this.
O most merciful God! Prostrate at your feet, I implore your forgiveness. I sincerely desire to leave all my evil ways and to confess my sins with all sincerity to you and to your priest. I am a sinner, have mercy on me, O Lord. Give me a lively faith and a firm hope in the Passion of my Redeemer. Give me, for your mercy’s sake, a sorrow for having offended so good a God. Mary, my mother, refuge of sinners, pray for me that I may make a good confession. Amen.
You always have the option to go to confession anonymously, that is, behind a screen or face to face, if you so desire.
Greets you in the name of Christ.
Make the sign of the cross.
And then say,
“Bless me Father for I have sinned. It has been (state how long) since my last confession. These are my sins.”
Tell your sins simply and honestly to the priest. You might even want to discuss the circumstances and the root causes of your sins and ask the priest for advice or direction.
Listen to the advice the priest gives you and accept the penance from him.
Then make an Act of Contrition for your sins:
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 should 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. Amen.
“Give thanks to the Lord for He is good.”
“For His mercy endures forever.”
“The Lord has freed you from your sins. Go in peace.”
“Thanks be to God.”
Spend some time with Our Lord thanking and praising Him for the gift of His mercy. Try to perform your penance as soon as possible.