1.  I am the Lord your God: you shall not have strange Gods before me.

Have I treated people, events, or things as more important than God?

2. You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain.

Have my words, actively or passively, put down God, the Church, or people?

3. Remember to keep holy the Lord’s Day.

Do I go to Mass every Sunday (or Saturday Vigil) and on Holy Days of Obligation (Jan. 1; the Ascension; Aug. 15; Nov. 1; Dec. 8; Dec. 25)? Do I avoid, when possible, work that impedes worship to God, joy for the Lord’s Day, and proper relaxation of mind and body? Do I look for ways to spend time with family or in service on Sunday?

4. Honor your father and your mother.

Do I show my parents due respect? Do I seek to maintain good communication with my parents where possible? Do I criticize them for lacking skills I think they should have?

5. You shall not kill.

Have I harmed another through physical, verbal, or emotional means, including gossip or manipulation of any kind?

6. You shall not commit adultery.

Have I respected the physical and sexual dignity of others and of myself?

7. You shall not steal.

Have I taken or wasted time or resources that belonged to another?

8. You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.

Have I gossiped, told lies, or embellished stories at the expense of another?

9. You shall not covet your neighbor’s spouse.

Have I honored my spouse with my full affection and exclusive love?

10. You shall not covet your neighbor’s goods.

Am I content with my own means and needs, or do I compare myself to others unnecessarily?

1. You can kneel behind the screen to go to confession anonymously or go to the chair.
2. Begin by saying "Bless me, Father, for I have sinned."
3. Mention how long it's been since your last confession. This is to give the priest an idea of how best to provide counsel: "It's been [ for example: six months ] since my last confession."
4. Confess your sins: "These are my sins..." Keep in mind that the priest doesn't need to know the details of your sins, so you needn't provide an overabundance of context. You might mention the frequency that the sin has been committed. The priest may ask a few clarifiying questions if needed.
5. The priest may offer some counsel to encourage you and aid in how to live a life of virtue.
6. The priest will give you a pennance. The penance is one of the concrete ways that you'll begin to make a new start after confession is over. It's usually a series of prayers, a scripture on which to meditate, and/or an act of charity.
7. After the priest gives you a penance, you'll then pray your Act of Contrition. Here are two options that you can use:
   • O my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended Thee, and I detest all my sins because of thy just punishments, but most of all because they offend Thee, my God, who art all good and deserving of all my love. I firmly resolve with the help of Thy grace to sin no more and to avoid the near occasion of sin. Amen.
   • My God, I am sorry for my sins with all my heart. In choosing to do wrong and failing to do good, I have sinned against you whom I should love above all things. I firmly intend, with your help, to do penance, to sin no more, and to avoid whatever leads me to sin.
     Our Savior Jesus Christ suffered and died for us. In his name, my God, have mercy.
8. The priest will then pray the Prayer of Absolution over you. He will extend his hands as he does so. You may whish to keep your hands folded in prayer during this time and make the sign of the cross as he blesses you.
9. The priest will conclude with an exhortation like, "Your sins are forgiven, go in peace."
10. Respond: "Thanks be to God!"
11. You're done!  Now you can go and be a saint!