According to the Book of Faith, here is how to go to Confession:
Where
This depends on your comfort level. If you want a friendly "counseling" Confession then go to a priest that you somewhat know, i.e., your parish priest.
If you want a Confessor that you don't know, that you don't want to know, that you will never, ever, see again--then go to Confession some place far away.
Then there's always personal preference. Some people like Confessors in colleges. They figure that nothing they could do would shock the priest as much as the college kids. Some like the priests at Shrines and Retreat Centers because they might not speak English well...as long as they give Absolution.
Perhaps the best choice is your own parish priest. He should know you well; he's helping you get to heaven.
Then there's the Jesuits. They're easy.
Find out the times
If you can't find a convenient time, you can call the place and make an appointment for Confession.
Examination of Conscience
Go through the ten commandments. Do a Google Search for "Examination of Conscience." Make sure your examination applies to your state of life. If you're an adult husband and father, you don't take your kid's First Penance Catechism and use that Examination. C'mon, be serious.
Take notes if you need.
The Confession Itself
Finally, you're here. If you've made an appointment then you're probably sitting across from the priest. Although, you could tell the priest that you're not comfortable in a face to face position,and he'll take you someplace else.
Begin:
With the Catholic Prayer, "Bless me Father for I have sinned." It is my first Confession; it's been over 20 years since my last Confession; I haven't been since I made my Confirmation; ... tell the priest the truth. Don't play games with your Confessor; he's going to get you to heaven, don't buck him. If the Confessor doesn't know you, it is very helpful if you tell him your state in life, e.i., I'm a married woman with five young children.
Tell your sins.
Take out your notes, if you blank out. And tell the Confessor if you've blanked out, or having a problem. He'll have some prompts to trigger your mind. Don't be too general, e.i. "I've been a bad wife." But don't go into too detailed, detail. Give the Confessor enough information to get the picture. And remember, the Confessor is not a Mental Health Counselor. He's a Spiritual Health Counselor.
Ending
Whew! That's the worst of it. It's done. Let the priest know your finished by telling him: "that's it; I'm sorry for all this; I'm sorry for all my sins now and in the past; and I'll try to be better in the future."
Penance
Contrition
Next the priest will say to you, "Make a good Act of Contrition." Eh???????
An Act of Contrition is a particular prayer. If you don't know what I'm talking about, tell the priest; he'll hand you the prayer to read. If you don't have your reading glasses, he'll read it to you, and you'll understand what an Act of Contrition prayer is. Easy.
Absolution
Don't leave. This is why you came. This is the most important part. You will hear the priest pray:
God, the Father of mercies, through the death and resurrection of His Son
has reconciled the world to Himself and sent the Holy Spirit among us
for the forgiveness of sins;
Through the ministry of the Church may God give you pardon and peace,
and I absolve you from your sins in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
and you will see the priest make the sign of the cross. You also in tandem, bless yourself, "in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit."
Exit
The priest is done. He'll probably say goodbye in a priestly way, e.i., "Go in peace; God bless you; pray for me, etc." It would be nice if you say, "Thank you Father, God bless you."
Wait!
Don't forget to do your penance. Do it immediately, so you don't forget. Then you're done.
\(^^)/
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