In the Traditional Confessional

ENTRANCE & GREETING:
The penitent kneels behind the screen and makes the sign of the cross while saying:

“In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Bless me Father, for I have sinned.

While this is happening the priest says the following words under his voice:

“The Lord be in thy heart and on they lips that thou mayest rightly confess thy sins in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.”

Then the penitent says:
It has been (give days, months, years) since my last confession.

After examination, I accuse myself of the following sins…"

Now the penitent lists each sin and for any mortal sins, the degree of gravity and quantity. Details about each sin, the circumstances, context, etc., are unnecessary unless there is a specific sin the penitent would like to discuss with the priest. Save this sin for last and specifically ask for his spiritual counsel and guidance.

When finished, the penitent says:

“For all of these sins and all those which I cannot presently remember, I ask for God’s pardon and for the Grace to overcome my defects.”

PENANCE: Now the priest, your confessor, will assign your penance and ask you to do an Act of Contrition.

The penitent says:

”O my God, I am most heartily sorry for all my sins; and I detest them above all things, because they displease Thee, Who art infinitely good and lovable, and I firmly resolve, with the help of Thy Grace, to do penance for them, and never more to offend Thee.”

While saying the Act of Contrition, the priest will simultaneously pray a precursor prayer of Absolution:
“Misereatur tui omnipotens Deus, et dimissis peccatis tuis, perducat te ad vitam æternam. Amen” which translates to “May Almighty God have Mercy on thee and forgive thee all they sins and bring thee to everlasting life. Amen.”

While holding his right hand over the penitent, the priest will next pray:

“Indulgentiam, absolutionem, et remissionem peccatorum nostrorum, tribuat nobis Omnipotens et Misericors Dominus. Amen” which translates to “May the Almighty and Merciful God grant thee indulgence, absolution, and remission of all they sins. Amen.”

Next, the priest, while still holding his hand over the penitent’s head removes any possible remaining impediments to his/her absolution by praying:

“Dominus noster Jesus Christus te absolvat: et ego auctoritate ipsìus te absolvo ab omni vinculo excommunicationis, et interdicti, in quantum possum, et tu indiges” which means “May our Lord Jesus Christ absolve you, and by his authority I do absolve you from every bond of excommunication, suspension, and interdict, to the extent of my power and your need.

The priest will now say the final words of Absolution while both he and the penitent make the sign of the cross:

Deinde ego te absolvo a peccatis tuis, in nomine Patris, et Filii, + et Spiritus Sancti. Amen” which translates as “There upon, I absolve you from thy sins, in the name of the Father, and of the Son +, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.”

Finally, the priest says a prayer for the relief of temporal punishment due the penitent:

“Passio Domini nostri Jesu Christi, merita beatæ Mariæ Virginis, et omnium Sanctorum, quidquid boni feceris, et mali sustinueris, sint tibi in remissionem peccatorum, augmentum gratiæ, et præmium vitæ æternæ. Amen” which translates to “May the passion of our Lord Jesus Christ, the merits of the blessed Virgin Mary and of all the saints, whatever good you have done and whatever evil you have endured, achieve for you the forgiveness of your sins, the increase of grace, and the reward of everlasting life. Amen.”

The penitent may respond, “Amen. God’s mercy endures forever.” or more appropriately in Latin “Amen. Misericordia Domini in aeternum.”

Before exiting the confessional, it is good to thank the priest and assure him that he, the other clergy, and the staff of the parish will be in your prayers. To complete the Sacrament of Penance, return to the pew to pray penance and prayers after confession.