Penitential Rite
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In the Roman Catholic Church, the Penitential Rite is a part of the Introductory Rites of the Mass. The Penitential Rite is a time of reflection on one's sins and a prayer for God's mercy. While the Penitential Rite is similar to the Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation, the priest does not offer absolution; this differs from Anglicanism, where absolution is offered during the Penitential Rite.
[edit] The Rite
The Penitential Rite follows the entrance procession and the greeting. The priest's opening comments generally transition directly into the Penitential Rite.
The available forms are:
- Option A (Often called the Confiteor or Mea Culpa; the most popular form):
All: I confess to almighty God,
and to you, my brothers and sisters,
that I have sinned through my own fault,
in my thoughts and in my words,
in what I have done,
and in what I have failed to do;
and 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.
- Option B (Infrequently used):
Priest: Lord, we have sinned against you: Lord, have mercy.
Congregation: Lord, have mercy.
Priest: Lord, show us your mercy and love.
Congregation: And grant us your salvation.
- Option C (May be said by the deacon or priest, or sung under the leadership of a cantor):
Minister: (The priest prays a short, spontaneous invocation): Lord, have mercy.
Congregation: Lord, have mercy.
Minister: (Second invocation): Christ, have mercy.
Congregation: Christ, have mercy.
Minister: (Third invocation): Lord, have mercy.
Congregation: Lord, have mercy.
The Penitential Rite always concludes:
Priest: May almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us our sins, and bring us to everlasting life.
Congregation: Amen.
The Kyrie eleison follows the Penitential rite, unless Form C is used, because Form C incorporates the Kyrie. The Gloria follows the Kyrie, and the Introductory Rites conclude with the Collect.
