Oratio Latina · Translatio
The traditional confession of sin used in the Roman liturgy and private prayer.
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Confiteor Deo omnipotenti, beatae Mariae semper Virgini, beato Michaeli Archangelo, beato Ioanni Baptistae, sanctis Apostolis Petro et Paulo, omnibus Sanctis, et vobis, fratres: quia peccavi nimis cogitatione, verbo et opere: mea culpa, mea culpa, mea maxima culpa.
Ideo precor beatam Mariam semper Virginem, beatum Michaelem Archangelum, beatum Ioannem Baptistam, sanctos Apostolos Petrum et Paulum, omnes Sanctos, et vos, fratres, orare pro me ad Dominum Deum nostrum.
I confess to almighty God, to blessed Mary ever Virgin, to blessed Michael the Archangel, to blessed John the Baptist, to the holy Apostles Peter and Paul, to all the Saints, and to you, brethren, that I have sinned exceedingly in thought, word and deed: through my fault, through my fault, through my most grievous fault.
Therefore I beseech blessed Mary ever Virgin, blessed Michael the Archangel, blessed John the Baptist, the holy Apostles Peter and Paul, all the Saints, and you, brethren, to pray for me to the Lord our God.
The general acknowledgment of sin in the Confiteor does not replace the sacramental disclosure of grave sins and priestly absolution. Trent, Session XIV, chapters III and V, treats these as distinct elements of the sacrament. The prayer can prepare the heart for confession, but reciting it is not the whole sacramental act.
For preparation, continue with the examination of conscience and the Act of Contrition. Read the liturgical formula in its own setting before comparing it with later Roman forms; a change in the list of names or in the forms of address need not be silently inserted into this older text.
