Confession and Divine Mercy - Page 2

icequeen · #16 Jun 3, '07, 1:32 pm

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?

I prefer behind the screen. I am not comfortable with going to confession, but I am getting better. I finally started going to confession in my parish instead of the next parish over. What a difference! Our parish holds daily confessions, so I don't feel like I have to hurry to get through it. It's like the priests are here to actually listen, instead of hurrying the line along.

Anne1964 · #17 Jun 3, '07, 2:38 pm

I prefer behind the screen. I find confessing face-to-face to be distratcing. We have traditional confessionals in our parish and the only way to do face-to-face would be to make an appointment.

katy · #18 Jun 3, '07, 6:37 pm

Much prefer the screen. I don't think I could go face to face anyway. It is easier for me to think of going to Jesus when I am in a nice, obscure place where the priest can't see me.

mommyof4 · #19 Jun 9, '07, 7:43 am

Hello again folks. I have begun a new thread about "faith and faithfulness"
here: http://forums.catholic.com/showthrea...73#post2327773

Please feel free to continue commenting on confession and divine mercy, but come and read some more on the new thread, too.

Thank you, and God Bless,
Mary

InHerHeartMJ · #20 Jun 15, '07, 10:31 pm

My spiritual director, who is a consecrated layman, is the one who convinced me to go to confession frequently, at least every 2 to 3 weeks. It was a bit difficult at first but the habit developed and I found I became less self-conscious. I live in a large archdiocese so I found several parishes with different confession times that would meet my schedule since my own parish only has confession on Saturday afternoons for an hour and a half. The line is pretty long because we have a parochial vicar who preaches on frequent confession.

I will say that once I started going more often it deepened my faith. However, that doesn't mean it's always easy and there were a couple times I put it off and let 5 weeks go by without going. It definitely affected my demeanor letting that much time go by without confession so I try not to let that happen.

Typically I confess to my pastor and it's face to face. If it's a confession I'm not especially thrilled to confess (not that any of them are a thrilling experience!) I will look down at the ground while I'm confessing. When I'm done and he starts speaking, then I look at him. It makes a tough confession a bit more bearable.

When I can't make the schedule at my parish the other parish that I frequent has the old style confessionals where I'm behind the screen. I don't think I have a preference either way. I try to remind myself that I'm really confessing to our Lord but sometimes it's hard to remember that when I'm looking at my pastor. It's easier to remember that if it's a priest I don't know.

Anyway, I highly recommend frequent confession, if you're able.

Catherine

mommyof4 · #21 Jul 3, '07, 4:39 pm

New topic for discussion: the dark night of the soul here:
http://forums.catholic.com/showthread.php?t=166115

Please feel free to continue posting as you wish on the other Diary discussions, also.

Sixtus · #22 Jul 11, '07, 2:17 am

Mommy of 4 posted:

Quote:

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

I would add 'humility' aware one is in the presence of the awesomeness God who is really present, lovingly and attentively listening and eager not only to forgive but also to heal

I could also add 'surrender' inviting so loving our God to crush our sinful state by His vast love and compassion, replacing our weakness by His power to resist human weakness and temptation

mommyof4 · #23 Jul 31, '07, 7:27 pm

I have started another discussion, Doing God's Will.

http://forums.catholic.com/showthrea...20#post2532320

water · #24 Aug 2, '07, 11:20 am

I forgot which paragraph I read, but it wasn't long ago. Jesus told St. Faustina that she should have not delayed going to Confession. It was not pleasing to Him.

During that week, I was busy and kinda hesitated to go to confession, and thinking that I should be ok because I just confessed last week. The though of delaying to go to confession on my mind for 2 or 3 days - the day following, after reading her diary - I dared not to postpone any longer. I got up at 5:00am the next day and get ready to go to mass and to confession. It was Friday.

Her diary is indeed a great book for many souls.

TraditionalCath · #25 Aug 4, '07, 5:55 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by water

I forgot which paragraph I read, but it wasn't long ago. Jesus told St. Faustina that she should have not delayed going to Confession. It was not pleasing to Him.

During that week, I was busy and kinda hesitated to go to confession, and thinking that I should be ok because I just confessed last week. The though of delaying to go to confession on my mind for 2 or 3 days - the day following, after reading her diary - I dared not to postpone any longer. I got up at 5:00am the next day and get ready to go to mass and to confession. It was Friday.

Her diary is indeed a great book for many souls.

i have learned a great deal about mercy since reading Divine Mercy in my soul, and i couldn't agree with you more!

brown bear · #26 Aug 11, '07, 3:24 am

I am born Roman Catholic and such I kept myself until my 13. Between my 13 and my 19 I had a time of deep separation from God. So, when I came back to "home" in February 1982 it was, in a sense, my "first" Confession. Since then, I never abandoned this sacrament. At present I receive this grace every 2 weeks.
It's not too easy, even after all these years, going to Confession, perhaps because I am a "bear" (it's a bit diffucult for me to speak about myself), even though eased by being "brown bear" (I am a sociable guy).
So, I need a little effort to go, but I am so glad after I am gone, especially when I can combine Confession and Eucharist.
Almost everytime the contents of my Confessions are similar.
Sometimes I am surprised that the priest doesn't stand up saying: "This stuff again?! You're not striving!! How shameful!"
No, the priest doesn't act so and surely Jesus all the more so: this is one of the bunch of wonderful things that the Diary confirmed and deepened in my soul.

KateQ · #27 Aug 11, '07, 6:38 am

I often wonder why Confession lines aren't much, much longer. There is such a benefit. I always feel so much happier and light-hearted at Mass on Sunday if I've taken the time to go to Confession on Saturday.

That being said, I find that my own habits are getting lazy. I used to go faithfully every month. If I was out of town, I went to a priest out of town. During Lent I aimed for once a week. Now I find that -- oh well, maybe I'll wait -- just the same old venial sins. It's lack of humility -- being embarassed that I've returned with the same old, same old. Or maybe I'm deluding myself that my little venial sins are that much to worry about.

Ste. Faustina has much to say to us.

Oh, I confess behind a screen. I really think it's only fair to the priests.

Sixtus · #28 Aug 12, '07, 6:26 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by TraditionalCath

i have learned a great deal about mercy since reading Divine Mercy in my soul, and i couldn't agree with you more!

I find the Sacrament is sooooooo healing. It is not so much about 'confessoin' though of course that is an important part of it [confessing one's sins and weaknessess to the Church of Christ], the Ministry is not only about forgivness, it is in my experience also about healing. Being healed from those occasoins that lead us into sin.