Questions / Confession and the sacraments

How do I go to confession?

Church teaching

Answered on video by Ascension Presents

Video: How to Go to Confession (COMPLETE Step-by-Step Catholic Guide), Ascension Presents, published Mar 11, 2025. Checked 10 October 2026. Loads from YouTube (privacy-enhanced mode) only when you press play. Watch on YouTube

In short: Walk in, tell the priest your sins, receive God’s forgiveness. That’s the core of it. CCC 1424 CCC 1456

The answer, in writing

Church teaching

Confession of sins to a priest is an essential part of the sacrament. CCC 1424

Penitents confess all the serious sins they are aware of after an honest examination of conscience. CCC 1456

Our words

Tell the priest how long it’s been, say your sins, listen, say an act of contrition, receive absolution. If you forget the steps, say so; he’ll walk you through.

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Play video: How often should I go to confession?, Catholic Answers, from Catholic Answers Live, 5 min. Loads from YouTube when pressed.

How often should I go to confession?

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Sources on this page

How we know · 2 Catechism paragraphs

1. Catechism of the Catholic Church, paragraphs 1424, 1456 (official text on vatican.va).

Stone & Incense restates Church teaching in plain words and cites every teaching claim. Our own wording is not an official Church text. Found a mistake? Report an errorCorrections.