Confiteor

American  

[kuhn-fit-ee-awr] / kənˈfɪt iˌɔr /

noun

Roman Catholic Church.

1. a prayer in the form of a general confession said at the beginning of the Mass and on certain other occasions.

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Confiteor British  

/ kənˈfɪtɪˌɔː /

noun

1. RC Church a prayer consisting of a general confession of sinfulness and an entreaty for forgiveness

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Etymology

Origin of Confiteor

1150–1200; Middle English; after first word of Latin prayer: I confess

Example Sentences

He made a huge sign of the cross, lowered his head and recited, again with perfect Latin diction, the Confiteor.

From "Black Like Me" by John Howard Griffin

We have to know by heart all the prayers, the Hail Mary, the Our Father, the Confiteor, the Apostles’ Creed, the Act of Contrition, the Litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

From "Angela's Ashes: A Memoir" by Frank McCourt

The sacristan placed the temporary altar beside the foot of the bed, arrayed it, and recited the Confiteor.

From Lazarre by Catherwood, Mary Hartwell

At last he made a desperate effort, stammered the beginning of the Confiteor, and said, "I have not confessed, since my childhood; since then I have led a shameful life, I have ..."

From En Route by Huysmans, J.-K. (Joris-Karl)

Having made the necessary preparation, you will next go into the confessional; and while you are waiting for the priest to hear you, you should say the Confiteor.

From Baltimore Catechism, No. 4 An Explanation of the Baltimore Catechism of Christian Doctrine by Kinkead, Thomas L.