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.
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. the penitential rite is the introductory part of the mass. its also good.