Introductory Rites: The Confiteor

This weeks is the prayer known as the “Confiteor” or “I confess...” The practice of confessing one’s sins is seen throughout the Bible. Moses and the Israelites had three days to prepare to meet the Lord and receive the Ten Commandments. They were instructed to consecrate themselves to the Lord and to wash their garments. In the New Testament, John teaches that we should confess our sins with confidence that the Lord will forgive us. And so, the early Christians confessed their sins before partaking of the Holy Eucharist.

Therefore, in the examination of conscience, we confess our sins not only “to almighty God,” but also “to you my brothers and sisters.” We are also challenged to consider seriously four areas in which we may have fallen into sin – “In my thoughts and in my words, in what I have done and what I have failed to do.” These four points serve as an excellent examination of conscience.

In my thoughts: We are to guard our thoughts, keeping them focused on what is good. Jesus tells us we can fall into sin with our thoughts.

In my words: The letter of James warns us that our tongue is a fire. Spoken words can be used to bless and to curse. For example, gossip, insults, slander, and boasting are just a few of the ways our words cause pain and sin.

In what I have done: these are common things we usually think about when we think of sins...actions that directly hurt others or our relationship with God. Of course, we know that we must attend confession or a penitential service at least once a year.

And in what I have failed to do: the most challenging of the four parts. We are responsible for the selfish, prideful and evil actions we have committed, but we are held accountable for the good that we have failed to do. Our path as a Christian is to grow in Christ’s self-giving love.

Finally, there is the last reflection of the seriousness of sin. We repent three times while striking our breasts in a sign of repentance: “...through my fault, through my fault, through my most grievous fault.” If we are really sorry for something we have done to someone, we sometimes apologize several times in different ways. In repeating this three times, we recognize that sinning against God is no light matter. We take responsibility for whatever wrong we have done or the good that we should have done but failed to do. I don’t just offer an apology to God, I express heartfelt contrition and sorrow and humbly admit that I have sinned “through my own fault, through my own fault, through my most grievous fault.”