we have offended against thy holy laws,
we have left undone those things which we ought to have done,
and we have done those things which we ought not to have done.
But thou, O Lord, have mercy upon us,
spare thou those who confess their faults,
restore thou those who are penitent,
according to thy promises declared unto mankind in Christ Jesus our Lord;
and grant, O most merciful Father, for his sake,
that we may hereafter live a godly, righteous, and sober life,
to the glory of thy holy Name. Amen.
The Bishop when present, or the Priest, stands and says
The Almighty and merciful Lord grant you absolution and remission of all your sins, true repentance, amendment of life, and the grace and consolation of his Holy Spirit. Amen.
A deacon or lay person using the preceding form substitutes “us” for “you” and “our” for “your.”
When this Order is used at the beginning of the Liturgy, the service continues with the Kyrie eleison, the Trisagion, or the Gloria in excelsis.
When used separately, it concludes with suitable prayers, and the Grace or a blessing.
