« CONFITEOR ». — Formula of the general confession of sins in the Latin liturgy, whose origin goes back to the custom of priests confessing their own unworthiness before offering the Holy Sacrifice. The oldest text of the C. is that of Egbert of York (d. 735) and Crodegango 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 tenth century there is a formula of the C. almost identical to the present one. Canon 15 of the Council of Ravenna, held on 10 October 1314, established the number (the present one) of the saints to be recalled in the C. (Mansi, XXV, 547). The present text of the C. was established by the reform of s. Pio V. Mass, before the Introit, and in a pontifical Mass it is sung by the deacon before the promulgation of the Indulgence and the distribution of Communion to the faithful. In the distribution of Communion outside Mass, it is said by the server.
In the Office it is said at Compline every day, and at Prime only when the prayers are included. The Rituale 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.
The religious Orders add to it the name of their founder.