The formula of absolution expresses the essential elements of the Sacrament: The Father of Mercies is the source of all forgiveness. He effects the reconciliation for sinners through the death of his Son Jesus and the gift of his Spirit, through the prayer and ministry of the Church. "God, the Father of Mercies, through the death and resurrection of his Son has reconciled the world to himself and sent the Holy Spirit among us for the forgiveness of sins; through the ministry of the Church may God give you pardon and peace, and I absolve you from your sins in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit."
The Priest gives a penance after confession
that we may make atonement to God for our sins. This penance has, by Christ's merits applied through the Sacrament, special value for the payment of the debt of temporal punishment due to sin. This can reduce our time in Purgatory. The penance can be to recite some prayers or do some good work.
Jesus often forgave sins
Jesus Christ forgave sins many times during his life time. Our Lord said to the paralytic, "'Take courage, son; your sins are forgiven you.' Then, some of the scribes who were present said within themselves, 'This man blasphemes,' Jesus was aware of what they were thinking and said, 'Why do you harbor evil thoughts? Which is less trouble to say, "'Your sins are forgiven you,'or to say, 'Stand up and walk?' 'To help you realize that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins' - then he said to the paralyzed man - 'Stand up, roll up your mat and go home ( Mt.9:2-7)'"
General Confession
A General Confession is the confession of all the mortal sins of one's past life, or if it is not a person's first General Confession, then all the mortal sins of ones life since their last General Confession. In making a General Confession, it is also good to include our bad habits, omissions and failings to help the confessor to form a correct idea of the overall direction of one's spiritual life.
Sometimes it is desirable to call the rectory and make an appointment with a priest if you think you need extra time to talk, but it can also be done easily at the regular confession times.
General Confession is not something one does often. If you are already doing the best you can in living your spiritual life and making sincere confessions, then that is sufficient. General confession is advisable only if there is serious doubt about the validity of former confessions. It is permissible if it is thought the penitent would derive profit from it; or before a person enters a new state of life, entering marriage, the religious life or priesthood; or before one takes on a major new office. It is wise to discuss it with a priest before planning a General Confession.
The Seven Capital Sins
There are some sins that can be very injurious to our spirit. The Church gives us a list of seven things to avoid because they can be deadly to the life of the soul. They are called Capital Sins.
Pride is an inordinate love of one's own excellence. It can lead to presumption, ambition, hypocrisy or disobedience. Pride is complete when one holds himself in such high regard that he refuses to submit to God.
Covetousness is any wrongful desire for what one does not possess. Wrongful desires can be sinful.
Lust is an inordinate appetite for sexual pleasure. In the sermon on the Mount, Christ said that to lust with the eyes and the heart is already a sin.
Anger is an emotion of displeasure coupled with a desire for the punishment of the offender. The sin of anger is committed when the anger greatly exceeds the offense or when the punishment desired is motivated by revenge.
Gluttony is an inordinate longing for food and drink or taking food and drink to excess in such a way that it is harmful to the body.
Envy is a sense of extreme discontent or jealousy with regard to another's advantages, success, or possessions. Resentful awareness of an advantage enjoyed by another with a desire to possess the same advantage
Sloth or laziness is that which causes a person to neglect serious duties. It leads to tepidity in keeping God's commandments It becomes a grave sin when when it results in the breaking of a serious law.
We must confess our most secret sins. Sins against the ninth and tenth commandments, sins of desire, can wound the soul greviously and could be more dangerous than those committed openly.
