Listen> https://youtu.be/aU7K7vhKWlc?si=rk5NkTgV-ZOdmGpl
Confiteor
Almighty God
I have greatly sinned
In my thoughts and in my words
Confiteor to almighty God
and to you, my brothers and sisters,
I have greatly sinned
Almighty God
I have greatly sinned
in what I have done,
Confiteor to almighty God
and to you, my brothers and sisters,
I have greatly sinned
Almighty God
I have greatly sinned
and in what I have failed to do;
Confiteor to almighty God
and to you, my brothers and sisters,
I have greatly sinned
I have greatly sinned
through my fault
through my fault,
through my most grievous fault;
I ask blessed Mary ever-Virgin,
all the Angels and Saints,
and you, my brothers and sisters,
to pray for me to the Lord our God.
Confiteor to almighty God
and to you, my brothers and sisters,
I have greatly sinned
I have greatly sinned
I have greatly sinned
STORY BOARD
SONG OVERVIEW
Written and produced by Tasmanian Songwriter Jason Bresnehan, Confiteor is a pipe-organ-driven arrangement in the sacred chamber and ethereal genres featuring a male vocal. The song explores one of the most direct and powerful moments of the Catholic Mass, the public confession of sin before God and the gathered community. Built around repeated declarations rather than narrative storytelling, Confiteor captures the communal nature of repentance and presents it through a structured sequence of confession, acknowledgement, and intercession.
The lyrics follow a clear progression, moving from personal admission of wrongdoing through repeated public declarations of fault before concluding with a request for the prayers of Mary, the angels, the saints and the wider community. The repeated refrain reinforces the central message that repentance is not merely private reflection but a shared act undertaken by the faithful together.
FAITH AND SPIRITUALITY
At the heart of Confiteor is the Christian understanding that spiritual growth begins with truth. The song focuses on the willingness of people to acknowledge their failures openly before God. Rather than dwelling on guilt, the lyrics create a pathway toward honesty, humility and reconciliation.
The repeated phrase "I have greatly sinned" forms the foundation of the work. Each verse approaches this admission from a different angle, reflecting thoughts, words, actions and omissions. The bridge intensifies the confession through the traditional threefold acknowledgement of fault before the final verse turns outward toward prayer and intercession. The result is a song that moves naturally from self-examination toward hope and restoration.
THE STORY BEHIND THE SONG
Confiteor was inspired by the penitential rite of the Catholic Mass, a moment that has long stood out for its directness and honesty. Unlike many prayers that focus on praise, petition or thanksgiving, the Confiteor is a public declaration. The congregation stands together and openly acknowledges its shortcomings before God and one another.
This song seeks to capture that distinctive character. Rather than transforming the Confiteor into a reflective or meditative piece, the arrangement embraces its declarative nature. The repeated chorus functions like a communal proclamation, giving voice to a truth that every person in the congregation is invited to share. The structure is intentionally simple and repetitive, reflecting the confidence and clarity of a gathered people speaking with one voice.
THE ARTWORK
The artwork depicts an immense cathedral illuminated by brilliant golden light streaming through stained-glass windows behind a towering pipe organ. A large congregation fills the nave below, all oriented toward the illuminated sanctuary. The organ dominates the visual composition, standing as the focal point of the image while light radiates throughout the building and across the gathered assembly.
The image reflects the purpose and energy of Confiteor. The congregation is presented as a collective body rather than a collection of individuals, reinforcing the song's emphasis on communal participation. The dramatic light signifies divine presence, while the imposing organ mirrors the strength and authority of the public declarations contained within the lyrics. The scene captures the moment when a gathered people stand together and speak honestly before God.
PERSONAL CONNECTION TO JASON BRESNEHAN SONGWRITER AND PRODUCER
The personal connection behind Confiteor comes from Jason Bresnehan's long-standing fascination with the way the Catholic Mass combines structure, participation and spiritual honesty. Among the many prayers of the liturgy, the Confiteor has always stood out because of its openness. It is not spoken quietly or privately but proclaimed together by the entire congregation.
That communal declaration became the foundation for this song. Jason was drawn to the idea that entire congregations regularly stand and publicly acknowledge their faults without hesitation or embarrassment. In a culture that often encourages people to hide mistakes or present a perfected image of themselves, the Confiteor represents something different: the courage to tell the truth about the human condition.
As part of the Sacred Chamber Music Collection, Confiteor reflects Jason's ongoing interest in reimagining traditional elements of Christian worship through original songwriting. The song preserves the spirit of the penitential act while presenting it in a contemporary musical form, creating a work that honours the bold sincerity and communal strength found within one of the most enduring prayers of the Catholic tradition.
***
YouTube - Playlist Jason Bresnehan
YouTube Top Songs – Jason Bresnehan
Seventh Ribbon Music, Jason Bresnehan’s music label.
Search for Bresnehan on Spotify to find all my songs and various playlists