Confiteor

Confiteor is a Catholic preparation aid that helps you examine your conscience and come disposed to confess your sins to a Catholic priest, but it is NOT the Sacrament of Penance itself and therefore does NOT give absolution apart from the priest’s sacramental ministry.

Why the name Confiteor?

Confiteor is Latin for “I confess.” It is the opening word of the Church’s traditional prayer of repentance, used in the Roman Rite as a general confession of sins and as a preparation for receiving grace.

This app takes the same name because it is meant to help with the same spiritual movement: an honest examination of conscience, a clear acknowledgment of sin, and a humble return to God with hope in His mercy. The Confiteor itself has two parts: first, we acknowledge our sins in the presence of God and of His saints and angels; second, we ask the saints and angels to help us obtain forgiveness.

In the liturgy, the Penitential Rite is meant to dispose the community to listen to God’s Word and celebrate the Eucharist worthily, stirring contrition and the desire for pardon from God and others.

About Confession (Sacrament of Penance)

Confession is a Sacrament of mercy and reconciliation. The Church calls it the Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation — it brings God’s forgiveness for sins and restores the penitent’s relationship with God and the Church.

It is also called:

  • Sacrament of conversion — it makes present Jesus’ call to conversion.
  • Sacrament of confession — confession of sins to a Catholic priest is an essential element.
  • Sacrament of forgiveness — absolution grants pardon and peace.
  • Sacrament of Reconciliation — it imparts the life of God who reconciles.

What Happens in Confession

The Church teaches that individual and complete confession and absolution is the usual, normal way for a person who knows they have committed mortal (grave) sin to be forgiven and made right with God and the Church.

A person is excused from this only if there is a real physical or moral impossibility (meaning they cannot do it, or they cannot do it without serious wrongdoing). In that case, forgiveness may be received by other means.

Code of Canon Law, 960 (1983)

How to Prepare

Prepare through a prayerful examination of conscience — reflect on how your life aligns with the Ten Commandments, the Church’s precepts, and the Gospel Beatitudes. Bring sincere repentance and a firm purpose of amendment.

Finding Confession Near You

To find where and when you can go to Confession nearby, visit MassTimes.org. Search by location to find churches and their confession schedules.

About This App

This app guides you through a structured examination of conscience using reflection questions organized by:

  • the Ten Commandments
  • the precepts of the Church
  • the seven capital sins
  • duties of your state in life Use it privately before going to Confession to help recall sins, recognize patterns, and prepare with sincere repentance.

What This App Is NOT

  • Not a substitute for Confession. It cannot give absolution or forgive sins sacramentally.
  • Not a way to “confess” to a screen. Sacramental confession must be made to a Catholic priest.
  • Not a way to bypass Church discipline — such as the requirement for individual, integral confession when obligated.
  • Not a substitute for spiritual direction or mental health care. If your conscience becomes severely burdened or confused, seek guidance from a Catholic priest or qualified spiritual director.

Sources

Important Disclaimer

Confiteor is a preparation aid for examination of conscience. It is not the Sacrament of Penance, does not absolve sins, and cannot replace sacramental confession with a priest.

To receive absolution, you must go to a priest and celebrate the sacrament of confession.