Reconciliation

Christ instituted the sacrament of Reconciliation so that we could renew and restore baptismal graces and the life of God within us.  The sacrament of Reconciliation is also known as the sacrament of Conversion, Confession, Forgiveness or Penance. The four main elements of the sacrament of Reconciliation are: Contrition, Confession, Absolution and Penance.
 

Contrition:  Being sorry for sins, having a firm intention to make amends and avoid these sins in the future.
Confession:  The verbalizing of those same sins out loud to the priest. 
Absolution:  God's forgiveness given to the penitent to remove sin from the soul. 
Penance:  Prayers or acts of service given to the penitent to help make reparation for their sins.

O my God, 
I am heartily sorry for having offended Thee, 
and I detest all my sins, 
because I dread the loss of heaven, and the pains of hell; 
but most of all because they offend Thee, my God, 
Who are all good and deserving of all my love. 
I firmly resolve, with the help of Thy grace, 
to confess my sins, to do penance, 
and to amend my life.

Amen.