The Confiteor
The Confiteor is the Church’s ancient prayer of general confession, rooted in the penitential practice of the Roman liturgy. Its title comes from its opening Latin word, meaning “I confess.” In the Roman Missal it is used as Form A of the Penitential Act near the beginning of Mass. Catholics acknowledge sins committed in thought, word, deed, and omission, and ask the Blessed Virgin Mary, the angels, the saints, and the faithful to pray for them. The triple striking of the breast expresses sincere contrition and humility before God.
In Latin
Confiteor Deo omnipotenti et vobis, fratres, quia peccavi nimis cogitatione, verbo, opere et omissione: mea culpa, mea culpa, mea maxima culpa. Ideo precor beatam Mariam semper Virginem, omnes Angelos et Sanctos, et vos, fratres, orare pro me ad Dominum Deum nostrum.
When to pray it: Pray it during the Penitential Act at Mass or privately when making a general confession of sin.