An Apologetical Explanation of

Making a Good Confession

What do we mean by making a “good confession”?

When a man or woman commits any of the sins that men commit by breaking faith with the Lord, and that person is guilty, he shall confess his sin which he has committed; and he shall make full restitution for his wrong.  (Nm 5:6-7)

Confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed.  The prayer of a righteous man has great power in its effects.  (Jas 5:16)

To make a good confession is to receive the Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation with the proper dispositions: a full admission of sins, true contrition, a firm resolution to avoid sin in the future, and the satisfactory completion of penance.

Contrition—which includes true “sorrow of the soul” and hatred of the sin committed as well as a firm resolve to refrain from all sin—is required for a good confession.  As with all Sacraments, grace is given by virtue of the celebration of the Sacrament, but our acceptance and ability to benefit from that sacramental grace is dependent upon our disposition.  Contrition can be perfect (resulting from a pure love of God) or imperfect (resulting largely from fear of sin’s consequences); both forms dispose us well to receive forgiveness of sins in the Sacrament of Penance.  (Cf. CCC 1451-1452)

In summary, a good confession requires a complete and humble accounting of our serious sins, contrition, resolution, and true satisfaction through penance, including restitution for wrongs committed wherever possible.

The best tool for recalling our sins and fostering proper contrition is an examination of conscience, whereby we review our acts, thoughts, and attitudes since our previous confession to determine where we have failed in virtue.  It is often helpful to meditate on the Ten Commandments, the Beatitudes, the Sermon on the Mount, or on any of the many examinations of conscience that have been composed in the form of a series of probing questions.  (Cf. CCC 1454-1455)

Mortal sins should be confessed as soon as possible, but regular confession even of venial sins is highly encouraged by the Church as an aid in helping to form our consciences correctly and to combat concupiscence.  The grace of frequent reception of the Sacrament strengthens us against sin and temptation.  (Cf. CCC 1456-1458)

The penance assigned by the confessor—usually prayers, spiritual reading, charitable acts, or acts of self-denial—as well as restitution (e.g., the return of items stolen or repair of injured reputations and relationships) must be completed satisfactorily in order to complete a good confession.  (Cf. CCC 1459-1460)

The Catechism addresses this question in paragraph 1450.

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