Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation
Those who approach the sacrament of Penance obtain pardon from God's mercy for the offense committed against him, and are, at the same time, reconciled with the Church.
Like all the sacraments, Penance is a liturgical action. The elements of the celebration are ordinarily these:
A greeting and blessing from the priest, reading the word of God to illuminate the conscience and elicit contrition, and an exhortation to repentance.
The confession, which acknowledges sins and makes them known to the priest.
The imposition and acceptance of a penance.
The priest's absolution.
A prayer of thanksgiving and praise and dismissal with the blessing of the priest.