About the Latin Mass: The Confiteor

At the beginning of the English Mass, we make a general Confession, the “I confess”, and ask for mercy and forgiveness prior to hearing the Word and receiving Communion. This is not a substitute for the state of grace received in Confession, but still raises our awareness of sin. Celebration of the English Mass often omits the “I confess” by asking for mercy and forgiveness through the “Lord have mercy” or “Kyrie”.

As with many elements of the English Mass, the “I confess” comes from the Latin Mass, in this case the Confiteor, which is said by the priest and then by the people and servers, prior to the priest going to the altar of God.

The rubrics and phrasing help enforce our contriteness for our sins. The priest bows at the waist to recite the Confiteor, and all say, “Mea culpea, mea culpea, mea maxima culpea”, which is “My fault, my fault, my most grievous fault”, while lightly striking our breast three times. This rubric stays with us during the Mass and subsequent week, to remind us of what we strive to overcome.

The U.S. Catholic Bishops have voted to change the English Mass phrasing of, “through my own fault”, to, “My fault, my fault, my most grievous fault”, to better reflect the Latin Mass phrasing, but this has not yet reached our churches. Keep the accompanying rubric in mind, however, even before encountering the revised phrasing.

The Latin Mass is celebrated Sundays at Blessed Sacrament at 8:30 and Nativity at 9:00.