Act of Contrition

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Soldier4Christ

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Last time I went to confession, I never had a chance to say an act of contrition. The priest went right from giving me my penance to the absolution. This has happened with other priests as well, I would say about half the priests who have heard my confession just skipped over me saying an act of contrition. And I usually don’t think of it until after I’m done. I get nervous so I don’t think to start saying it if there’s a chance. I don’t know if it’s normal that the priest always gives me the “go ahead” to say my act of contrition, I always need it because like I said, I’m a bundle of nerves in there and sometimes can’t even remember the words. But I was just wondering if this was common to anybody else.
 
I have just returned to the Church after being away for around 38 years, and I’ve only gone to confession a couple of times so far. The first time I went to a very devout priest, and he asked me to say the Act of Contrition. The second time the priest never gave me a chance because he was late for Mass. Every sin I confessed to him, he sort of pooh poohed and said it was no big deal. He didn’t even give me a penance, just told me to say whatever I wanted. And I didn’t get a chance to finish my confession. :mad:

My understanding is that the priest should ask you to say an act of contrition.

Mary
 
If the priest does not ask you to do so, simply say the Act of Contrition on your own after you leave the confessional. For the sacrament to be valid, you need to have contrition (sorrow for your sins); the specific words are not critical.
 
Almost every time I’ve been to Confession, the priest has said “now make a good Act of Contrition”, but twice a priest (not our regular pastor) told me to say the Act of Contrition after I left the confessional…
 
NMJenny said:
Almost every time I’ve been to Confession, the priest has said “now make a good Act of Contrition”, but twice a priest (not our regular pastor) told me to say the Act of Contrition after I left the confessional.…
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One of our priests does this almost routinely. I’ve always thought the reasoning for this was so that he can hear as many confessions as possible in the time allowed. Then again, there isn’t often a line of people waiting 😦

God Blesses Us Every Minute of Every Hour of Every Day!
 
anniemart said:
I’ve always thought the reasoning for this was so that he can hear as many confessions as possible in the time allowed. Then again, there isn’t often a line of people waiting 😦
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But can he know whether there is a line or not while he is hearing confessions? He’s probably working on the principle of it’s better to be safe than sorry.
 
allaussie said:
But can he know whether there is a line or not while he is hearing confessions? He’s probably working on the principle of it’s better to be safe than sorry.
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I once had a priest ask me when I come into confession how many there were in line behind - I imagine priests do this often, at least when it’s getting near Mass time.
 
LilyM said:
I once had a priest ask me when I come into confession how many there were in line behind - I imagine priests do this often, at least when it’s getting near Mass time.
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yes! Now that I think about it, all of our priests have asked my family members at one time or another how many more were waiting. Our oldest priest is quite frankly, the most sought after, especially during Lent. It’s pretty sad to see one confessional with 15-20 people in line and no one waiting for our pastor (this is when it’s been determined that he is hearing confessions at the same time). What does this tell us? I really don’t know the answer to this but whenever anyone asks me who’s hearing confessions I always reply that I don’t know. Even when I do. 🤷
 
anniemart said:
yes! Now that I think about it, all of our priests have asked my family members at one time or another how many more were waiting. Our oldest priest is quite frankly, the most sought after, especially during Lent. It’s pretty sad to see one confessional with 15-20 people in line and no one waiting for our pastor (this is when it’s been determined that he is hearing confessions at the same time). What does this tell us? I really don’t know the answer to this but whenever anyone asks me who’s hearing confessions I always reply that I don’t know. Even when I do. 🤷
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Tells us that some priests can be very unpopular as confessors - lots of reasons why this might be so, I’m not saying it’s his fault. Happens with any group of priests - some will be more popular. Horses for courses.

Most priests stick the shingle out the front of the confessional so you know exactly who you’re going to and can choose to go to them again as your regular confessor if you like 'em. It’s a good practice if possible to use the same confessor regularly - you get to know them and they get to know you.

I’ll admit I do a little picking and choosing myself, but that’s more an avoidance of priests who’ve given me downright wrong (and I mean seriously wrong) advice in the confessional in the past rather than any other reason.
 
There was one time a priest told me to say the act of contrition for my penance. I didn’t go back to that priest.
 
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