God loves you. Confession is a time to tell the truth about wrong choices, ask forgiveness, and begin again with God’s help. Your priest can help you with the words.
Begin with a prayer
Jesus, help me remember the choices I need to change. Give me courage to be honest and trust your love. Help me love God and other people more faithfully. Amen.
Think quietly
- Have I made time to pray and treated prayer respectfully?
- Have I listened to reasonable instructions from parents, carers, and teachers?
- Have I deliberately hurt someone with my words or actions?
- Have I left someone out to be unkind?
- Have I told a lie or blamed another person for what I did?
- Have I taken something without permission or damaged something on purpose?
- Have I refused to help when I could reasonably do my part?
Having a difficult feeling is not the same as making a wrong choice. Something another person did to hurt you is not your sin. If someone makes you feel unsafe, tell a trusted adult who can help.
When it is your turn
- Make the Sign of the Cross and tell the priest if this is your first confession or about how long it has been.
- Tell him your wrong choices simply. You can say, “Please help me,” if you are stuck.
- Listen to his advice and the penance he gives you.
- Pray the Act of Contrition you learned. The priest can help if you forget.
- Listen to the prayer of absolution. Afterwards, thank God and do your penance.
For parents and carers
Practice the order together, but let the child’s personal confession remain private. Encourage honesty without interrogating the child about what was confessed. Follow your parish’s preparation program and use the USCCB’s children’s resources when useful.
Read an Act of Contrition · Saint stories and activities
Prayer and reflection questions written for Life of the Saints.