Step 1: Contrition
Contrition is "sorrow of the soul and detestation for the sin committed, together with the resolution not to sin again."

Step 2: Confession
The confession (or disclosure) of sins, even from a simply human point of view, frees us and facilitates our reconciliation with other

Step 3: Absolution
The priest speaks the words by which “God, the Father of Mercies” reconciles a sinner to himself through the merits of the Cross.

Step 4: Satisfaction
An important part of our healing is the “penance” the priest imposes in reparation for our sins.