Confession and Divine Mercy

mommyof4 · #1 May 21, '07, 11:33 am

I would like to say three words to the soul that is determined to strive for sanctity and to derive fruit; that is to say, benefit from confession.
First word - complete sincerity and openness. Even the holiest and wisest confessor cannot forcibly pour into the soul what he desires if it is not sincere and open. An insincere , secretive soul risks great dangers in the spiritual life, and even the Lord Jesus Himself does not give Himself to such a soul on a higher level, because He knows it would derive no benefit from these special graces.

Second word - humility. A soul does not benefit as it should from the sacrament of confession if it is not humble. Pride keeps it in darkness. The soul neither knows how, nor is willing, to probe ..the depths of its own misery. It puts on a mask and avoids everything that might bring it recovery.

Third word - obedience. A disobedient soul will win no victory, even if the Lord Jesus himself, in person, were to hear its confession (113)

(During a time of illness) Suddenly I felt sick, I gasped for breath, there was darkness before my eyes, my limbs grew numb - and there was a terrible suffocation. Even a moment of such suffocation is extremely long...There also comes a strange fear, in spite of trust. I wanted to receive the last sacraments, but it was extremely difficult to make a confession even though I desired to do so. ...Oh, may God keep every soul from delaying confession until the last hour! I understand the great power of the priest's words when they are poured out upon a sick person's soul. When I asked my spiritual father whether I was ready to stand before the Lord and whether I could be at peace, I received the reply, "You can be completely at peace, not only right now but after each weekly confession." Great is the divine grace that accompanies these words of the priest. The soul feels power and courage for battle. (321)
Write, speak of My mercy. Tell souls where they are to look for solace; that is, in the Tribunal of Mercy. There the greatest miracles take place [and] are incessantly repeated. To avail oneself of this miracle, it is not necessary to go on a great pilgrimage or to carry out some external ceremony; it suffices to come with faith to the feet of My representative and to reveal to him one's misery, and the miracle of Divine Mercy will be fully demonstrated. Were a soul like a decaying corpse so that from a human standpoint, there would be no [hope of ] restoration and everything would already be lost, it is not so with God. The miracle of Divine Mercy restores that soul in full. Oh, how miserable are those who do not take advantage of the miracle of God's mercy! You will call out in vain, but it will be too late. (1448)

I feel much better today. I was glad I would be able to meditate more during the Holy Hour. Then I heard a voice: You will not be in good health. Do not put off the Sacrament of Penance, because this displeases Me. Pay little attention to the murmurs of those around you. [Sr. Faustina then recounts her unexpected suffering which occurred soon after]. I now understand the Lord's warning. I decided to call any priest at all, the next day, and to open the secrets of my soul to him....for while I was praying for sinners and offering all my sufferings for them, the Evil spirit could not stand that. (1464)

Today the Lord said to me, Daughter, when you go to confession, to this fountain of My mercy, the Blood and Water which came forth from My Heart always flows down upon your soul and ennobles it. Every time you go to confession, immerse yourself in My mercy, with great trust, so that I may pour the bounty of My grace upon your soul. When you approach the confessional, know this, that I Myself am waiting there for you. I am only hidden by the priest, but I myself act in your soul. Here the misery of the soul meets the God of mercy. Tell souls that from this fount of mercy souls draw graces solely with the vessel of trust. If their trust is great, there is no limit to My generosity. The torrents of grace inundate humble souls. The proud remain always in poverty and misery, because My grace turns away from them to humble souls. (1602)

My daughter, just as you prepare in My presence, so also you make your confession before Me. The person of the priest is, for Me, only a screen. Never analyse what sort of a priest it is that I am making use of; open your soul in confession as you would to Me, and I will fill it with My light. (1725)

Lady Cygnus · #2 May 21, '07, 12:49 pm

I opened this thread thinking it was something entirely different. I though it was a question about being told to do the divine mercy for penance. What's really interesting is that I was just sitting here thinking about how I needed to go to confession and debating whether or not it could wait until my parishes weekly confession time. Then I read these wonderful quotes, basically a page worth of "go to confession"

I think the Lord is trying to tell me something...hmm...Perhaps that I need to eat some ice cream...or go to the church and see if a priest is available.

pippin · #3 May 22, '07, 6:39 am

This is so relevant for today. I know I don't go to confession nearly as often as I should, and when I do go the line is so short. It's not pretty looking into our souls at our sins, but we need the grace confession gives.

icequeen · #4 May 22, '07, 7:39 pm

What our Lord says about confession is soooooo true. I had a biggie that needed to be confessed. I asked one priest if I was OK, even though I didn't say it many years ago. He said that I was forgiven. So why was it that I didn't feel like I was forgiven? Maybe because I wasn't? I asked another priest, on Good Friday, the same question. He said that it needed to be said and I did it. What a feeling! I finally felt free of this sin, I can't even describe it because it was so profound. To hear the words, to hear that I was forgiven even though I messed up bad. I cried like a little baby, I was so happy.

pippin · #5 May 23, '07, 7:10 am

This sacrement is such a gift, but rarely used these days. Almost like the Church's best kept secret. My pastor frequently preaches about the need for reconciliation, but still the response is lukewarm. I know that I am as bad as the rest. Like Icequeen, I had a sin I had put off confessing. When I finally did, I felt such relief that it was truely gone.

Convert in 99 · #6 May 24, '07, 7:04 pm

Since this IS the Divine Mercy Thread....Please, Please, Please say chaplets (or any prayers) for my husbands grandmother. We just got news she is in critical condition and has from a few days at worst to a few months at best.

Her name is LOIS.

Thanks and blessings to you and yours!

fcbv · #7 May 25, '07, 7:28 am

I'd like to confess more times an year, but here in my parish the confessions aren't monthly... This year I confessed 2 times (or was 3?

). The last time I confessed was in the Tuesday of the Holy Week! For me it isn't enough, but patience. The truth is that when I confess, I leave the church feeling much lighter!

Convert in 99 · #8 May 25, '07, 7:32 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by fcbv

I'd like to confess more times an year, but here in my parish the confessions aren't monthly... This year I confessed 2 times. The last time I confessed was in the Tuesday of the Holy Week! For me it isn't enough, but patience.

Not even monthly...that IS sad. Find a second parish or make an appointment with a priest. I live in the second biggest mission diocese for catholics and most parishes have weekly confessions or at the very least the priest will meet with you.

Check around...they're out there.

fcbv · #9 May 25, '07, 7:35 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by Convert in 99

Not even monthly...that IS sad. Find a second parish or make an appointment with a priest. I live in the second biggest mission diocese for catholics and most parishes have weekly confessions or at the very least the priest will meet with you.

Check around...they're out there.

It will be possible... when I get the driving license! I hope it will be the fastest possible.

Convert in 99 · #10 May 25, '07, 7:40 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by fcbv

It will be possible... when I get the driving license! I hope it will be the fastest possible.

Ahhh...gotcha.

Well Jesus sees your good intentions and will bless you all the same!

water · #11 May 31, '07, 8:47 pm

Confession is a great sacrament, and I am so thankful to the Lord for his great mercy. The more you go to confession, the better for your soul. It's changed me a lot.

St. Faustina also said in her diary to pray for a good confessor. Before, I used to like to go to any priest who gave a quick confession. After reading St. Faustina's diary, I like to find a confessor who can spend more time helping me.

anamchara · #12 Jun 1, '07, 8:26 am

This is helpful. I have yet to find a really good confessor. I haven't gotten very far into the book but she is really making me think more about this sacrament and encouraging more self examination of conscience.

pippin · #13 Jun 1, '07, 8:29 am

What she said about the importance of a good confessor is so true. I used to go to whoever was availible, preferably someone who didn't know me. Now I try to go to the same preist.

I have a question for everyone: Do you prefer to go to confession face-to-face or behind the screen?

anamchara · #14 Jun 1, '07, 8:32 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by pippin

What she said about the importance of a good confessor is so true. I used to go to whoever was availible, preferably someone who didn't know me. Now I try to go to the same preist.

I have a question for everyone: Do you prefer to go to confession face-to-face or behind the screen?

Personally, at times I would really prefer a dark little place where I can really let things out. I feel self-conscience face to face but I have done this. I find it awkward. I have yet to experience an old traditional confessional.

acadian · #15 Jun 3, '07, 6:09 am

I prefer to go face-to-face.

The past few times I have been to confession, I have gone to our pastor. He is welcoming, kind and gentle, but not much on conversation or help unless you ask a direct question. He will be moving to a new parish soon, so I will try our new pastor. Maybe he will be who I am looking for...