What Should You Say to the Priest Before Confession?translated

Confession is important and necessary for every Christian, but often, even with thorough preparation, when you find yourself before the altar screen, all words may fly out of your head. What should you do?

Before confession, the priest does not need to say anything, unless you have health issues that might affect the quality of your confession (mental health problems, hearing impairments, etc.).

If you are nervous or haven't confessed in a long time, you can add a few words about your state, for example: "Forgive me, I am feeling a bit nervous" or "It's been a while since my last confession; I don't know where to start." This will help relieve your inner tension, and the priest can gently guide you. However, this is not necessary: if you prefer, you can immediately proceed to repentance.

During confession, you should say much more—specifically, everything that weighs heavily on your conscience and causes distress. There are various guides for those seeking forgiveness, but there are no specific requirements for the form of confession.

Read also:

How to Confess Properly?

Here are a few tips on how to build a proper confession:

Do not be overly detailed. It is sufficient to name the sin itself (for example: condemnation, laziness, profanity,...