Too ashamed to go to confession?
I saw an article at CNA which had a great point in it.
[Fr. Fortea] also noted the importance of ensuring truly anonymous confessions. In each city, he said, “there ought to be at least one confessional where instead of a grill, there is a metal sheet with small holes, making it totally impossible to see the person making their confession.” [That’s why even when there is a grill, it is good to have a thin cloth as a “curtain” over the grate. Which also keeps Father from being coughed on, by the way.]
The person confessing should not be visible to the priest as they approach or leave, he continued. If there is a window on the priest’s door, it should not be transparent.
“With these measures, the vast majority of the faithful can resolve the problem of shame,” Fr. Fortea said.
The issue of anonymity is HUGE. Fathers, think about this and take measures. Bishops, remind your priests about good confessional practices. This is important. For example, Fathers, when coming to and going from the confessional, keep your eyes down. Don’t look at people who are waiting or coming in. Don’t talk to them. Don’t greet them. Don’t even look at them. EVER.
Everyone….
GO TO CONFESSION!
Sure, it can be hard sometimes. That’s okay… accept that it’ll be hard and just do it anyway.
Review my
There is no sin that we little mortals can commit that our all-powerful and loving God will not forgive, provided we ask for forgiveness.
The Sacrament of Penance was established by Jesus Christ. He intended that the sacrament by the ordinary means through which we return to the state of grace. No matter what you have done, Christ – in the person of the priests in the confessional – washes that sin from your soul with His own Blood.
Once you have received absolution, those sins will not be held against you. They are gone. You will remember them, but their guilt is no longer with you. You have to do penance for them, but the sins are removed, they are eradicated from your soul, they are no more.
GO TO CONFESSION!
“I absolve you from your sins…”
When was the last time you heard those words from the priest after confessing all your sins in kind and number? Hmmm?
While we live we have the chance to get things right with ourselves, our neighbors and our God.
Get things right.
GO TO CONFESSION!
Fathers, if you don’t now offer decent times for confessions in the parish entrusted to you and if you don’t preach about this important sacrament and about sin, you are probably going to go to Hell.
Merry Christmas.
You had better go to confession, too.
