Rite of Penance, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops

Catechism of the Catholic Church, Part Two, Chapter Two, Article 4, The Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation, #1422-1484

United States Catholic Catechism for Adults, Part II, Chapter 18 (Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation: God Is Rich in Mercy)

Rich in Mercy, Encyclical, Pope John Paul II

“A Guide to the Sacrament of Penance”



Daily resources from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops

Ash Wednesday – What’s it all about?

The Sacrament of Reconciliation – Rising Again to New Life



“How to Celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation Today”, by Thomas Richstatter, O.F.M.

“Why do Catholics confess their sins to a priest?”



Meeting the Merciful Christ: How to Go to Confession, Msgr. Joseph M. Champlin, St Anthony Messenger Press, 2005

How to Go to Confession When You Don’t Know How, Ann M.S. LeBlanc, St. Anthony Messenger Press, 2003

Reconciliation, Robert F. Morneau, Orbis Books, 2007

101 Inspirational Stories of the Sacrament of Reconciliation, Sr. Patricia Proctor, Poor Clare Sisters, 2006
(Publish some of these inspirational stores in the parish bulletin.)



Frequently Asked Questions About the Sacrament of Penance, Diocese of Fall River

Celebrating the Sacrament of Penance: Questions and Answers, USCCB



“A Guide for Confession”, Archdiocese of St. Louis, 1999

How to make a good confession

Printable handout on confession – excellent resource for catechists

“Penance and Reconciliation”

“Confession: A Roman Catholic App”
A new Confession application for the iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch, for use in confession Preparation, offering an examination of conscience, step-by-step guide to the sacrament, act of contrition and other prayers.



“A Guide to Making a Thorough Examination of Conscience and a Good Confession”, Diocese of Fall River

“A Guide for Teens to Making a Thorough Examination of Conscience and a Good Confession”, Diocese of Fall River

“A Detailed Catholic Examination of Conscience”

“Examination of Conscience”, Young Adult Ministry, Archdiocese of Atlanta

“Children’s Examination of Conscience”

“An Examination of Conscience for Tweens Using the Ten Commandments”



Rite of Penance, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops

Chapter I, Rite of Reconciliation of Individual Penitents, # 41–47
Chapter II, Rite of Reconciliation of Several Penitents With Individual Confession and Absolution, # 48-59
Appendix II, Sample Penitential Services, Penitential CelebrationsDuring Lent, p. 241

A Vatican Prayer Service – for confession of sins and asking for forgiveness



“Pope Urges Faithful to go to Confession”

“How to Go to Confession”

“Making a Good Confession”

“Sacrament of Reconciliation”

“Why Confess to a Priest”

“I’ve had an abortion. Will God forgive me?”

“Making Things Right with God”

“A video reflection on the Sacrament of Penance”

“The spiritual benefits of saying, “I’m sorry.”

Archbishop Fulton Sheen on Confession:
Part I
Part II
Part III
Part IV

Rev. Robert Barron comments on the iPhone App and the Return to Confession