Prayer Before Confession

This brief prayer comes from the tradition of older Catholic manuals of devotion and is commonly used before receiving the Sacrament of Penance. No individual author is firmly associated with it. Its petition asks God for light to examine one’s conscience honestly and for genuine contrition, while also seeking the Blessed Virgin Mary’s help in making a good confession. Catholics may pray it before an examination of conscience, while waiting to enter the confessional, or immediately before speaking to the priest. It reflects the Church’s call to approach confession with sorrow for sin and a sincere purpose of amendment.

When to pray it: Pray this before examining your conscience or immediately before receiving the Sacrament of Penance.