That confession ought to be done during Lent in order to prepare to fulfill our “Easter duty” of the annual reception of the Eucharist. I wanted to highlight Confession because there is a small change to the Rite of Penance starting on Ash Wednesday. The only change is on the part of the priest, during the prayer of Absolution. I’ll compare them below:
Old Translation
God, the Father of mercies, through the death and resurrection of his Son has reconciled the world to Himself and sent the Holy Spirit among us for the forgiveness of sins; through the ministry of the Church may God give you pardon and peace, and I absolve you from your sins in the name of the Father, + and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
New Translation
God, the Father of mercies, through the death and resurrection of his Son has reconciled the world to Himself and poured out the Holy Spirit for the forgiveness of sins; through the ministry of the Church may God grant you pardon and peace, and I absolve you from your sins in the name of the Father, + and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Iknow these aren’t major changes (in fact if the priest says the old translation, it is still a valid Confession), but they are significant enough with some reflection. And although most people won’t notice the change, I’m highlighting it to bring attention to an old tradition that I want to start using as well. After the prayer of absolution, the priest will begin a prayer that has a response from the penitent. It goes like this:
Priest: Give thanks to the Lord for He is good Response: His Mercy endures forever
He then gives one of the dismissals that seems close to Mass and we respond “Thanks be to God” who does the work of Confession. So, during your Lenten confession if you hear these words you now know the response!