Brothers and sisters, let us acknowledge our sins, and so prepare ourselves to celebrate the sacred mysteries.

We turn in prayer to the one who teaches us to pray.

We present ourselves to God, in hope of God’s mercy and forgiveness.

With faith in God's kindness, we turn to the Lord.

All the Earth cries out to God, the psalm says today. In a spirit of worship we place ourselves before the mercy of God.

Brothers and sisters, let us acknowledge our sins, and so prepare ourselves to celebrate the sacred mysteries.

We pray in the merciful presence of God.

Let us call on the name of the Lord and ask forgiveness for our sins.

Let us ask God for a spirit of forgiveness.

Like you, O Lord, your first martyr Saint Stephen called on God to forgive his persecutors. Today we pray for that same forgiveness.