Penitential Rite A

For use at the beginning of the Liturgy, or as a separate service.

When this penitential act follows the General Intercessions, it is omitted here.

A hymn, psalm, or anthem may be sung.

The People standing, the Celebrant says:
Blessed be God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
People
And blessed be his kingdom, now and for ever. Amen.

In place of the above, from Easter Day through the Day of Pentecost:

Celebrant
Alleluia. Christ is risen.
People
The Lord is risen indeed. Alleluia.

In Lent and on other penitential occasions

Celebrant
Bless the Lord who forgives all our sins.
People
His mercy endures for ever.

When used as a separate service, the Exhortation may be read, or a homily preached.

The Decalogue may be said, the People kneeling.

The Celebrant may read one of the following sentences:

Jesus said, "The first commandment is this: Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God is the only Lord. Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength. The second is this: Love your neighbor as yourself. There is no other commandment greater than these." Mark 12:29-31

If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. But if we confess our sins, God, who is faithful and just, will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:8, 9

Since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Heb. 4:14, 16

The Deacon or Celebrant then says:
Let us confess our sins against God and our neighbor.

Silence may be kept.

Minister and People:
Most merciful God,
we confess that we have sinned against you
in thought, word, and deed,
by what we have done,
and by what we have left undone.

We have not loved you with our whole heart;
we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves.

We are truly sorry and we humbly repent.

For the sake of your Son Jesus Christ,
have mercy on us and forgive us;
that we may delight in your will,
and walk in your ways,
to the glory of your Name. Amen.

The Officiant says:

May Almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us all our sins through our Lord Jesus Christ, strengthen us in all goodness, and by the power of the Holy Spirit keep us in eternal life. Amen.

When this Order is used at the beginning of the Liturgy, the service continues with the Kyrie eleison, the Trisagion. or the Gloria in excelsis.

When the Order is used separately, the penitents go to the Priests designated for individual confession, and confess their sins. Each penitent receives and accepts a fitting form of satisfaction, and is absolved. After hearing the confession the Priest extends his hands (or at least his right hand) over the penitent's head and grants absolution.

Everything else which is customary in individual confession is omitted.