Catholic Confession & Prayer Guide
Eight short pieces that together cover what the Church has historically asked Catholics to know about preparing for confession and praying daily. Catechism-grounded, plain language, no filler. Read them in any order.
How to Prepare for Confession
The four things the Church asks for: examine your conscience, ask for contrition, decide to amend your life, plan what to say. The pillar guide for the whole site.
Examination of Conscience
What it is, how to do one, and three traditional structures: the Decalogue, the seven deadly sins, the Beatitudes. Includes the difference between the daily examen and the examination for confession.
Ten Commandments Examination
A commandment-by-commandment examination drawn from the Catechism (CCC 2052–2557). Concrete questions for each, suitable for adults. The most thorough piece in the guide.
What to Say in Confession
A line-by-line script for the rite itself, with two example confessions — one for regular monthly use, one for the return after a long absence.
The Act of Contrition
Both traditional and modern versions, with a plain-language explanation of every line and the difference between perfect and imperfect contrition.
Confession After a Long Time Away
If it has been years or decades since your last confession: what to do, what to say, what to expect. The most empathetic piece in the guide.
Mortal vs. Venial Sin
The three conditions for mortal sin (CCC 1857), what counts as grave matter, how the distinction matters for confession and Communion, and where the line is honestly unclear.
The Five-Step Ignatian Examen
St. Ignatius of Loyola's daily Examen prayer, in fifteen minutes a day. The single most-recommended evening prayer practice in Catholic spirituality.
Confess. is the app companion to this guide — the same examinations, the Act of Contrition, an In-Confession Mode, and a guided five-step Examen, all on your phone. Free, encrypted, no account.
Download Confess.