Absolution

[littlesoul88]

I have a question about the confessional and when you receive absolution.
If you confess face-to-face, you are sitting in a chair. What then, do you do when the priest gives you absolution? Do you stay sitting or do you kneel in front of him?
I stay sitting, but sometimes I feel more…humble(?) because the confession was so hard so receiving the absolution is more…revered(?) in a way, so I feel I should-or I want to- kneel. However, I don’t know if I should and I wondered what other people do? Also sometimes the priest starts absolution before I know it so there’s no time to kneel! LOL
I look forward to hearing your thoughts.

 

[mcw013]

Nothing would be wrong with kneeling, but doing that from sitting on a chair would be akward in the least.

If you’re sitting just sit, and if you feel like kneeling the go to the confessional where the kneeler is.

 

[UpUpAndAway]

When I confess, I remain in the same position from beginning to end. It’s awkward to switch positions in the middle of a confession.

If I’m behind the screen, I kneel. If I’m face-to-face, I sit unless the priest is my confessor—In that case, I kneel. The last time (well, the only time, actually) that happened was last month. Face-to-face confession in an open church. I knelt on the floor throughout. This was a personal choice; it would not have been wrong to sit.

[sign]God bless![/sign]

 

[lmelahn]

I have a question about the confessional and when you receive absolution.
If you confess face-to-face, you are sitting in a chair. What then, do you do when the priest gives you absolution? Do you stay sitting or do you kneel in front of him?
I stay sitting, but sometimes I feel more…humble(?) because the confession was so hard so receiving the absolution is more…revered(?) in a way, so I feel I should-or I want to- kneel. However, I don’t know if I should and I wondered what other people do? Also sometimes the priest starts absolution before I know it so there’s no time to kneel! LOL
I look forward to hearing your thoughts.

The rite does not specify the posture for the penitent. You may receive absolution in whatever posture you feel most comfortable with (kneeling, sitting, standing).

I am a priest, and most of the penitents I have received simply remain seated, if they choose to confess face-to-face, but that is up to them, of course. (If you want to kneel, you could ask the priest to wait a moment while you get ready to kneel.)

 

[smichhertz]

I have a question about the confessional and when you receive absolution.
If you confess face-to-face, you are sitting in a chair. What then, do you do when the priest gives you absolution? Do you stay sitting or do you kneel in front of him?
I stay sitting, but sometimes I feel more…humble(?) because the confession was so hard so receiving the absolution is more…revered(?) in a way, so I feel I should-or I want to- kneel. However, I don’t know if I should and I wondered what other people do? Also sometimes the priest starts absolution before I know it so there’s no time to kneel! LOL
I look forward to hearing your thoughts.

Hi littlesoul88,

Firstly - regardless of what position you are in the Confession is good and valid and your sins are forgiven. So this is purely a practical discussion.

For me, I usually bow my head and hunch over a bit but remain seated. It’s perfectly acceptable to kneel, but sometimes space restrictions in the Confessional can make it rather awkward.

I don’t know of anyone that kneels while going face to face, but I didn’t really think to ask anyone.

Long story short - do it if you want, but it’s by no means required.

 

[Aran_Houlihan]

Nothing would be wrong with kneeling, but doing that from sitting on a chair would be akward in the least.

If you’re sitting just sit, and if you feel like kneeling the go to the confessional where the kneeler is.

I can’t sit in my parish confessional as it a traditional one

 

[littlesoul88]

Thank you! This was a good discussion. I was glad to read all your answers.