Photo: Wikipedia Commons, Giuseppe Molteni, Confession, 1838 / US-PD
Drowning in sorrow
swept away in the tide of sin;
the unclean oblation,
the greatest evil within.
With grief of the soul
and detestation;
a contrite heart
renders towards reconciliation.
In perfect love
or with a torrent of fear
hope for pardon
springs the infusion of grace
with a disposition sincere.
With the words of Absolution
by the Power of the Keys
the Breath of the Spirit
looses the chains that bind
and sets the prisoner free.
The Cup of Mercy
with sanctification outpoured
mends the broken body;
for in this Sacrament
union with God is restored.