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Resources for Preparation for Confession

Antonopoulos, Archimandrite N. (2002), Return: Repentance and Confession, The Return to God and His Church. Akritas Publications.

This 86-page book from the Orthodox Tradition helped teach me more about repentance than about sin and moral degrees of gravity. The point is Christ, and sin separates us out from our own presence and the Presence of Jesus, Our Lord. Repentance is the way back through the door of mercy. This return has a tradition through the sacrament of Confession.


Hahn, S. (2003), Lord, Have Mercy: The Healing Power of Confession. New York, NY: Doubleday.

This is a very readable Catholic Book recommended by Father Paul that gives one courage to return to confession in their adult life. The Appendix has the Rite, an examination of conscience and a fine list of sources and references.

Turner, P. (2005), Preparing for Confession: Receiving God’s Mercy. Chicago, IL: Liturgical Training Publications.

I have found this little 30 page small pamphlet size teaching to be a comforting aid for new and old sinners coming to this ancient sacrament. It is well worth the price of $1.25.

Harrilchak, P. N. (1996), Confession with Examination of Conscience and Common Prayers, Way to a common growth in the spirit of repentance. Reston, VA: Holy Trinity Orthodox Church.

In writing this examination of conscience I took three days to list all the sins according to each of the eight afflictive thoughts (Thoughts Matter).

Then, I realized that in the Gospels Jesus was total compassion. He simply healed them, forgave them and said to sin no more. It is not sin that is at issue here, but our relationship with God.

Hausherr, I. (1982), Penthos: The Doctrine of Compunction in the Christian East (CS 53), Kalamazoo, MI: Cistercian Publications.

Hopko, Thomas. Sin: Primordial, Generational, Personal. Crestwood, NY 10707: St. Vladimir Seminary Press. Ti IrderL1-800-204-2665.