<Dd> ℣ (Priest): "Indulgéntiam, absolutiónem, et remissiónem peccatórum nostrórum, tríbuat nobis omnípotens et miséricors Dóminus ." ℟: "Amen" </Dd> <P> Sometimes known as "general confession", the Lutheran Penitential Rite is done at the start of each Mass . The pastor and congregation say the Confiteor and the pastor says the Declaration of Grace . The Declaration of Grace is not an absolution . In Lutheran practice, the sacramental rite of confession is its own separate service, and private confession is expected before partaking of the Eucharist . </P> <P> Pastor: "If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us ." People: "But if we confess our sins, God who is faithful and just will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness ." Pastor: "Let us then confess our sins to God our Father ." People: "Most merciful God, we confess that we are by nature sinful and unclean . We have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done and by what we have left undone . We have not loved You with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves . We justly deserve Your present and eternal punishment . For the sake of Your Son, Jesus Christ, have mercy on us . Forgive us, renew us, and lead us, so that we may delight in Your will and walk in Your ways to the glory of your Holy Name . Amen ." Pastor: "In the mercy of almighty God, Jesus Christ was given to die for us, and for His sake God forgives us all our sins . To those who believe in Jesus Christ He gives the power to become the children of God and bestows on them the Holy Spirit . May the Lord, who has begun this good work in us, bring it to completion in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ ." </P>

In the mass the penitential act is part of the