« CONFITEOR ». - The formula of the general confession of sins in the Latin liturgy, whose origin dates back to the practice of priests confessing their unworthiness before offering the Holy Sacrifice. The oldest text of the C. is that of Egbert of York (d. 735) and Crodagan of Metz (d. 766): « Confiteor Domino et tibi frater, quod peccavi in cogitatione, et in locutione et in opere; propterea precor te, ora pro me » (Regula canonicorum, 18; PL, 89, col. 1067). In a missal of S. Vincenzo al Volturno from the 10th century, a formula of the C. is found that is almost identical to the current one. Canon 15 of the Council of Ravenna, held on 10 Oct. 1314, fixed the number (the current one) of the saints to be remembered in the C. (Mansi, XXV, 547). The present text of the C. was established by the reform of St. Pius V.
It is recited at the beginning of Mass before the Introit, and in pontifical Mass the deacon sings it before the granting of the Indulgence and the distribution of Communion to the faithful. In the distribution of Communion outside of Mass, the server recites II.
In the Divine Office it is said at Compline every day, and at Prime only when there are prayers. The Ritual prescribes the C., or at least its abbreviated formula, in the sacrament of Penance, in Extreme Unction, in the administration of Viaticum, and in the papal blessing in articulo mortis.
Religious orders add the name of their founder to II.