Read Sacred Scripture and reflect on it. What better way to know how God wants us to live our lives than his own Sacred Word. Besides the Ten Commandments, turn to the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5:7), the first Letter of John, or any of the prophets. The Bible should be a primary source for an examination of conscience.

Never be afraid to confess a sin. Embarrassment to acknowledge our sins is one of the reasons people turn away from the sacrament. Trust the priest to be the minister of healing and reconciliation. When he knows the full extent of your sins and your life situation, the better counsel a priest can give you.

Consider a regular priest-confessor. When you have one priest who always hears your confession, he can help you realize patterns in your life and offer spiritual advise, too. Finding a confessor you are comfortable with also removes another obstacle from the full reality of God's grace working in you.

Frequent the Sacrament. The Church requires that we confess serious sins at least once a year (Canon 989). However, the more often we celebrate the sacrament, the more opportunity we have to respond to the call of continuing conversion in our life.

Try other Acts of Contrition. The rite of Penance has 10 possible prayers that the penitent may say including an updated version of the Act of Contrition. Many of these are based on the Sacred Scriptures. Different forms of this prayer can help us experience the fullness of the sacrament.

Be reconciled with others. The real grace of the sacrament is not only in our reconciliation with God but also with others. This is the transforming power of the sacrament. Be ready to forgive others and to seek reconciliation with those you have offended.

Forgive yourself. Do not forget this! God has forgiven you. The Church has forgiven you. When you finish the ritual of the Sacrament, be reconciled with yourself by not dwelling on the past, but be present to God's healing love in your life.

Father Willis is pastor of Most Holy Redeemer Parish in Jacksonville, FL. This article was first published in St. Augustine Catholic magazine of the Diocese of St Augustine, Florida.