DURING THIS LENT...

Take your time to make a very humble and painful Confession. With true repentance and a purpose of amendment. To do this you must first make a very good Examination of Conscience. Write down your sins so you do not forget them (once you have confessed, destroy the note). Many times we get nervous in the confessional and we can forget them. Indicate how many times (it is obligatory to say the number of times, as far as possible) and when was the last time you committed the sins. This helps the confessor to give you the appropriate penance and to help you to eradicate those vices. There is an obligation to explain what aggravates a sin but not to give unnecessary details. Do not forget to fulfill your penance.

From now on, after this confession, go immediately to the confessional when you have committed a serious fault, and if there is not, then it is advisable to do so at least every four or five weeks to confess venial sins.

Remember that these can also be forgiven by other means (holy water, an Our Father, blessed bread, etc.) while mortal sins must be confessed to the priest. This is essential in order to receive Communion, since the Eucharist must never be received in mortal sin. Those who receive Communion in grave sin eat and drink their own condemnation, the apostle Saint Paul teaches us.

Remember the parable of the prodigal son: Luke, chapter 15, verses 11-32.