At the Confession
Begin by devoutly making the sign of the cross, + saying at the same time, Bless me, O Father, for I have sinned . Then repeat the Confiteor , or “I confess to the Almighty,” &c. till you come to the words, “through my fault,” at which strike your breast, glowing with compunction, like the humble publican in the gospel; and so proceed to accuse yourself with candour and sincerity, telling first how long it is since you were last at confession, whether you were then absolved, (a circumstance of the utmost importance, which many are too negligent in attending to,) and whether you performed your penance. Having confessed all the sins you can remember, listen with docility to your confessor, whilst he endeavours to excite you to contrition, and prescribes the various means, either of atoning for the sins you have confessed, or of preventing future relapses.