my last Confession, which was ... I have committed the following sins.' (Here I confess my sins.)
Or in the following manner:
Having arrived at the Confessional, I kneel down, make the sign of the Cross, and ask the Priest's blessing by saying: ' Bless me. Father, for I have sinned.' After receiving his blessing, I say the first part of the Confiteor as far as through my most grievous fault.' Then I say how long it is since my last Confession, whether I then received Absolution and performed my Penance. After this I confess all the sins I can recollect, beginning with those which I may have forgotten in my last Confession.
65. How do you finish your Confession?
In conclusion, I say: 'For these, and all the sins of my whole life, I am most heartily sorry, because by them I have offended God, the Supreme and Most Amiable Good. I detest all my sins, and am firmly resolved to amend my life, and to sin no more. I humbly ask Penance and Absolution of you, my Ghostly Father.'
Or I conclude by saying: ' For these, and all my other sins which I cannot at present call to my remembrance, and also for the sins of my past life, especially for . . .' (see p. 284, quest. 27, note), ' I am heartily sorry, purpose amendment for the future, and most humbly ask pardon of God, and Penance and Absolution of you, my Ghostly Father.' Here I finish the Confiteor: 'Therefore I beseech the Blessed Mary ever Virgin,' etc.
66. What should we do after this?
We should listen with attention to the instruction which the Confessor may think proper to give, and to the Penance he enjoins; and when he asks us questions, we should answer them with sincerity and humility.
Take care not to leave the Confessional before the Priest has given you notice, by saying, for instance: 'Go in peace'; or, 'May God Almighty bless you!' or something similar.
