Here are a few tips to help you get over any nerves or worries you may have....

Having trouble identifying your sins? Hopefully this will help you pin-point a few to bring to confession...

Focus on the 10 Commandments as a starting point...

Remember Confession is not about condemnation it’s about redemption!!

“I am the Lord thy God, thou shalt not have any strange gods before Me.”
Do you set 'other' things as more important than God in your life? It could be your work, sporting activity, gambling, alcohol, an occult/spiritualist or even an individual?

“Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain.”
Swearing and cursing taking the Lords name by saying 'Jesus Christ' or for 'God’s sake' when talking in general conversation and not in a prayerful context is a sin.

“Remember to keep holy the Sabbath day.”
Do you attend Mass on Sunday or would you rather walk your dog or have a 'PlayStation Sunday'? 

“Honour thy father and mother.”
Do you respect your parents? We may not always agree with our parents and this is ok, however respecting them as our parents and head of the family is important to keeping this commandment. The virtue of 'Patience' is often present when respecting our parents. 

“Thou shalt not kill.”
This is exactly as it says...don’t take another person’s life. It can also be extended to demoralising and destroying any hope and faith individuals may have by being negative towards them or their faith in God.  

“Thou shalt not commit adultery.”
Forbids the actual, physical act of having immoral sexual activity, specifically adultery, which is sex with someone else’s spouse. This also includes  fornication, which is sex between unmarried people, prostitution, pornography, homosexual activity, masturbation, group sex, rape, incest, paedophile etc. It is also suffice to say that accessing any visual material displaying such sexual acts or creating such acts in the mind is also sinful. 

“Thou shalt not steal.”
If it doesn't belong to you it’s not up for grabs! This also includes identity fraud, cheating people of their money or property, depriving workers of their just wage, or not giving employers a full day’s work for a full day’s pay. Tax evasion etc. 

“Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.”
We all have an opinion and that is fine, however it’s when we willingly enter into negative dialogue about others that we open ourselves up to this sin. 
“When you  gossip about a person it means that you have removed the person from your heart. But be aware, when you remove a man from your heart, Jesus also goes away from your heart with that man.”  St Padre Pio.

“Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s wife.”
Human sexuality is a Devine gift and longing/desiring for immoral sexual acts is a sin. This also includes 'neighbour's husband'.

“Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s goods.”
This includes feelings of envy, greed, and jealousy in relation to people’s homes, jobs, finances, even down to what they wear and body image! 


How to make an Act of Contrition
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 occasions of sin.

OR

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 Saviour Jesus Christ suffered and died for us. In his name, my God, have mercy.

OR

O my God, I am sorry for my sins because I have offended you. I know I should love you above all things. Help me to do penance, to do better, and to avoid anything that might lead me to sin. Amen.

For further guidance please access the booklet below...

Remember your compassion and your mercy, O Lord, for they are ages old. Remember no more the sins of my youth; remember me according to your mercy because of your goodness, Lord. (Ps 25:6-7, NAB)