The Confiteor
The ancient prayer of confession prayed at Mass and before receiving Holy Communion. The triple 'through my fault' (mea culpa) is accompanied by a striking of the breast — a gesture of humility as old as the Church itself.
The Confiteor, I confess to almighty God, is the ancient prayer of confession said at the beginning of Mass and before receiving Holy Communion. Its triple through my fault, through my fault, through my most grievous fault is accompanied by a striking of the breast, a gesture of humility as old as the Church itself. It acknowledges sin openly before God and the whole Church, and then asks for prayer and mercy. It is brief, but it opens the heart.
Pray this prayer, and save your favourites, in the Sacred Novenas app
Open in the app App StoreGoogle PlayThe Confiteor
I confess to almighty God
and to you, my brothers and sisters,
that I have greatly sinned
in my thoughts and in my words,
in what I have done and in what I have failed to do,
through my fault, through my fault,
through my most grievous fault;
therefore I ask blessed Mary ever-Virgin,
all the Angels and Saints,
and you, my brothers and sisters,
to pray for me to the Lord our God.
May almighty God have mercy on us,
forgive us our sins,
and bring us to everlasting life.
Amen.
~~~
THE TRADITIONAL LATIN:
Confiteor Deo omnipotenti,
et vobis, fratres,
quia peccavi nimis
cogitationem, verbo, opere et omissione:
mea culpa, mea culpa,
mea maxima culpa.
Ideo precor beatam Mariam semper Virginem,
omnes Angelos et Sanctos,
et vos, fratres, orare pro me
ad Dominum Deum nostrum.
~~~
ABOUT THIS PRAYER:
The Confiteor (Latin: I Confess) is one of the most ancient prayers of the Church. The triple striking of the breast at 'through my fault' is a traditional gesture of contrition, echoing the publican who 'beat his breast, saying: God, be merciful to me, a sinner' (Luke 18:13).
Frequently asked questions
When should I pray the Confiteor?
Pray it at the start of Mass, at night and during an examination of conscience.
How do I pray the Confiteor?
Say it slowly, strike your breast at each mea culpa, and mean it.
Who is the Confiteor for?
All who attend Mass and anyone who wants to renew repentance.
Pray this prayer, and save your favourites, in the Sacred Novenas app
Open in the app App StoreGoogle Play