Preparing Our Hearts for the Great Celebration of Easter

For Catholics, having the opportunity to celebrate the sacraments is central to our lives. This has not been lost on the Pope. Pope Francis, in his March 20, 2020, message, said that general absolution of sin — confessing directly to God as opposed to through a priest — applies during the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic.

“This is the right time, the opportune moment. An act of contrition done well, and our souls will become white like the snow,” the pope said. “Return to your Father who is waiting for you,” he continued. "The God of tenderness will heal us; He will heal us of the many, many wounds of life and the many ugly things we have done. Each of us has our own!” “Make an act of contrition,” the pope said, and promise God, “’I will go to confession afterward, but forgive me now.’ And immediately you will return to a state of grace with God.” Read more about Pope Francis' statement here.

In light of the pope's statement, and with the support of our own archbishop, we have provided the following guide for you make the act of contrition at home.

SIGN of the CROSS 
 
PRAYER FOR A GOOD CONFESSION
     Come, Holy Spirit, into my soul. Show me my sins, both the wrong that I did
     and the good I failed to do. Give me the grace to be sorry for my sins out of
     love for God, so that through confession my soul might be healed and  
     strengthened to do good.  Amen
 
OPENING PRAYER
     Let us pray:         
     Merciful and Loving God, you always work to save us and now we rejoice in the
     great love you give to your people through the power of repentance and forgiveness.
     Send your Holy Spirit to restore us to life and right relationship with you.
     Grant this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

SCRIPTURE READINGS 
2 Corinthians 5: 11-21
    Standing in awe of the Lord we try to persuade others,
    but what we are is known to God. 
    I hope that it is also apparent to you in your consciences.
    We are not commending ourselves to you again
    but giving you an opportunity to boast of us, so that
    you may have something to say to those who take pride in
    external appearances rather than what lies in the heart.
    If we are out of our minds, it is for God; if we are rational, it is for you.
    For the love of Christ impels us who has reached the conviction that,
    since one died for all, therefore, all have died.
    He indeed died for all, so that those who live might live no longer
    for themselves but for him who, for their sakes, died and was raised up.
    Because of this we no longer look on anyone in terms of mere human judgement.
    If at one time we so regarded Christ, we no longer know him by this standard.
    So whoever is in Christ is a new creation: the old things have passed away;
    now all is new.
    And all this is from God, who has reconciled us to himself through Christ
    and given us the ministry of reconciliation, namely, that God was reconciling
    the world to himself, not counting our transgressions again us,
    and that he has entrusted the message of reconciliation to us.
    This makes us ambassadors for Christ, God, as it were, appealing through us.
    We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.
    For our sakes God made him who did not know sin, to be sin,
    so that we might become the very holiness of God.
 
Matthew 9: 9-13
    Jesus saw a man named Matthew sitting at the customs post.
    He said to him, “Follow me.”
    And he got up and followed him.
    While he was at table in his house, many tax collectors and sinners
    came and sat with Jesus and his disciples.
    The Pharisees saw this and said to his disciples,
    “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?”
    He heard this and said, “Those who are well do not need a physician,
    but the sick do. 
    Go and learn the meaning of the words ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’
    I did not come to call the righteous but sinners.”
 
 
EXAMINATION OF CONSCIENCE
We are invited by our loving and compassionate God to make ourselves available to the grace, peace and healing which God offers in the Sacrament. Let us reflect on, and pray about, those areas of our lives where we are most in need of healing and renewal in our relationship with God, with others, and with ourselves.
 
I…MY RELATIONSHOP WITH GOD
       What steps am I taking to help me grow closer to God and to others?
       Do I turn to God often during the day, especially when I am tempted?
       Do I participate at Mass with attention and devotion on Sundays and Holy Days?
       Do I pray often and read the bible?
       Do I use God’s name and the names of Jesus, Mary, and the saints,
          with love and reverence?
 
II…MY RELATIONSHIPS WITH FAMILY, FRIENDS, and NEIGHBORS 
       Have I set a bad example through my words or actions?
       Do I treat others fairly?
       Do I spread stories that hurt other people?
       Am I loving of those in my family?
       Am I respectful of my neighbors, my friends, and those in authority?
       Do I show respect for my body and for the bodies of others?
       Do I keep away from forms of entertainment that do not respect
          God’s gift of sexuality?
       Have I taken or damaged anything that did not belong to me?
       Have I cheated or lied?
       Do I quarrel with others just so I can get my own way?
       Do I insult others to make them think they are less than I am?
       Do I hold grudges and try to hurt people who I think have hurt me?
                                                                                                                                 Loyola Press
 
ACT OF CONTRITION
      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.
                                                                English translation of the Act of Contrition from Rite of Penance, ICEL
 
  LORD’S PRAYER
    Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name.  Thy kingdom come,
    Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread,
    and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us,
    and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For the kingdom,
    the power, and the glory are yours, now and forever.  Amen.
 
CONCLUDING PRAYER
    Let us pray…
    O God, author and source of all life, you know  the depths of our hearts.
    Never permit the powers of darkness to hold your people captive,
    but, by the grace of your Spirit, open our eyes, that we may be able
    to recognize your Son in all those we meet, and experience his saving
    action in our lives.
    Through Christ our Lord.  Amen