What are the steps of Penance?

Answer 1

Catholic Answer1. Review your life since your last confession (Examen)

2. Present yourself to the priest

3. Ask the priest for his blessing and tell him how long it has been since your last confession, mention your age, and your state in life (I am 23 year old single man)

4. Confess your sins

5. End with:

For these and all other sins that I cannot now remember [as well as all the sins of my past life], I ask counsel, absolution, and penance.

6. Listen to Father's instructions, and take note of your penance. If you don't understand anything, ask him to repeat it.

7. Make your Act of Contrition when he asks you to:

O my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended Thee, and I detest all my sins, because I dread the loss of heaven and the pains of hell, but most of all because they offend Thee, my God, who are all-good and deserving of all my love. I firmly resolve with the help of Thy grace, to confess my sins, to do penance, and to amend my life.

If the priest says, "Go in peace, your sins are forgiven", you reply:

Thanks be to God.