Before You Begin
This guide, adapted specifically for high-school students, helps you prepare for the Sacrament of Reconciliation by examining the most common grave (mortal) sins connected to the Seven Deadly Sins (*contact me if you see any errors in the list below*).
A sin is mortal when:
- It involves serious matter
- I knew it was serious
- I chose it freely
If any of the sins below apply to you as mortal sins, you must confess: WHAT you did + HOW MANY times
Example:
- “I watched pornography 5 times.”
- “I missed Sunday Mass 3 times on purpose.”
PRIDE – Disordered love of self above God
- Missed Sunday Mass or a Holy Day of Obligation (Dec. 25 or Jan. 1 in Canada) on purpose, without a serious reason (ill, unable to travel, etc.)
- Practiced occult or superstitious activities (astrology, tarot, Ouija boards, witchcraft, spells, charms, séances, crystals, manifestations, etc.)
- Used God’s name or Jesus’ name as a swear word, joke, insult, or in anger.
LUST – Disordered desire for sex outside God’s plan
- Knowingly entertained lustful thoughts, fantasies, or images, including using pornography in any form.
- Sent, requested, saved, or shared sexually explicit images or messages (“sexting”), or encouraged lust through my words, posts, or behavior.
- Deliberately engaged in sexual actions outside of marriage, including masturbation, sexual touching, oral sex, or intercourse.
ANGER (WRATH) – Disordered desire for revenge or harm
- Physically hurt someone on purpose in anger (fighting, hitting, assault, violent outbursts).
- Seriously bullied, harassed, threatened, or emotionally abused someone, in person or online.
- Wished serious harm, death, or ruin on someone, acted with hatred or prejudice, or chose revenge instead of forgiveness.
AVARICE (GREED) – Disordered love of possessions or gain
- Stole money, valuables, or items from a person, store, school, or family, knowing it was wrong.
- Cheated at school or work (exams, assignments, plagiarism, impersonation, fraud).
- Knowingly pirated games, movies, music, or software and kept using them.
GLUTTONY – Disordered pursuit of pleasure in consumption
- Used alcohol, illegal drugs, vapes, marijuana, or abused prescription meds to get drunk or high.
- Drove, rode with a drunk/high driver, or did dangerous things while intoxicated, putting lives at risk.
- Habitually over-indulged in food, energy drinks, or substances in a way that seriously harmed my health, school life, or relationships.
ENVY – Disordered jealousy at another’s success
- Spread serious gossip, screenshots, rumors, or lies that damaged someone’s reputation.
- Tried to ruin someone’s friendships, relationship, team spot, grades, popularity, or opportunities out of jealousy.
- Took pleasure in someone’s serious failure or suffering, resented their success, or stayed bitter instead of rejoicing with them.
SLOTH (ACEDIA) – Spiritual or moral neglect of God and duty
- Received Holy Communion while knowing I was in mortal sin, without first going to Confession.
- Avoided Confession for a long time (over a year), even though I knew I had serious sin and the Church requires Confession at least once a year.
- Seriously neglected prayer, school, family, chores, or commitments because of laziness, gaming, scrolling, or spiritual apathy.
How to Go to Confession (Step-By-Step Guide)
- Make the Sign of the Cross: In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
- Say: “Bless me, Father, for I have sinned. It has been [e.g., six months / one year] since my last Confession.”
- Confess your sins by saying:
- WHAT you did (e.g., “I cheat on my homework”).
- HOW MANY times (“about five times”).
- When finished confessing, say: “For these sins and all the sins of my past life, I am truly sorry.”
- Listen to the priest: He may offer advice, ask questions for clarity, and assign a penance (e.g., prayers or acts of kindness) to repair the harm and grow in virtue.
- Pray the Act of Contrition (out loud or silently, as the priest directs): O my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended You, and I detest all my sins because of Your just punishments, but most of all because they offend You, my God, who are all-good and deserving of all my love. I firmly resolve, with the help of Your grace, to sin no more and to avoid the near occasions of sin. Amen.
- Receive Absolution: The priest prays the words of forgiveness in Christ’s name, concluding with: “I absolve you from your sins in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.”
Respond: Amen. - Dismissal and Penance: The priest often says: “Go in peace, your sins are forgiven.” Respond: “Thanks be to God.” Leave the confessional, thank God silently, and complete your penance as soon as possible (ideally right away, like in the church).
Final Encouragement
Jesus already knows your sins.
Confession is not about shame — it is about freedom, healing, and a fresh start.
The greater the sin, the greater the mercy waiting for you.
Prodigal Catholic 
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