| A | B |
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| 427. How should we begin our confession? | We should begin our confession in this manner: Entering the confessional; we kneel; and making the sign of the cross we say to the priest: “Bless me; Father; for I have sinned'; and then we tell how long it has been since our last confession. |
| 428. After telling the time of our last confession; what do we confess? | After telling the time of our last confession; if we have committed any mortal sins since that time we must confess them; and also any that we have forgotten in previous confessions; telling the nature and number of each; we may also confess any venial sins we wish to mention. |
| 429. What should we do if we cannot remember the exact number of our mortal sins? | If we cannot remember the exact number of our mortal sins; we should tell the number as nearly as possible; or say how often we have committed the sins in a day; a week; a month; or a year. |
| 430. What should we do when we have committed no mortal sin since our last confession? | When we have committed no mortal sin since our last confession; we should confess our venial sins or some sin told in a previous confession; for which we are again sorry; in order that the priest may give us absolution. |
| 431. How should we end our confession? | We should end our confession by saying: “I am sorry for these and all the sins of my past life; especially for…'; and then it is well to tell one or several of the sins which we have previously confessed and for which we are particularly sorry. |
| 432. What should we do after confessing our sins? | After confessing our sins; we should answer truthfully any question the priest asks; seek advice if we feel that we need any; listen carefully to the spiritual instruction and counsel of the priest; and accept the penance he gives us. |
| 433. What should we do when the priest is giving us absolution? | When the priest is giving us absolution; we should say from our heart the act of contrition in a tone to be heard by him. |
| 434. What should we do after leaving the confessional? | After leaving the confessional we should return thanks to God for the sacrament we have received; beg Our Lord to supply for the imperfections of our confession; and promptly and devoutly perform our penance. |
| 435. What is an indulgence? | An indulgence is the remission granted by the Church of the temporal punishment due to sins already forgiven. |
