Another dumb confesion question

[Catholic_Heart]

I am a convert of twenty years, and have made my share of confessions…I have never said the standard “Bless me Father, for I have sinned” when beginning my confession…Do people still do this? Is it the correct way to begin…whether face to face or behind a screen?

When I sit down…face to face…I never know how to begin. Ususlly the priest…I see the same one all the time…begins with a blessing…I don’t enumerate…just tell him what I’ve done, or haven’t done…he and I talk about it, I say an Act of Contrition (which I make up) then he absolves me…I had one priest who sort of followed the new rite…readings and all…it was nice.

 

[marty1818]

Catholic Heart:

I am a convert of twenty years, and have made my share of confessions…I have never said the standard “Bless me Father, for I have sinned” when beginning my confession…Do people still do this? Is it the correct way to begin…whether face to face or behind a screen?

When I sit down…face to face…I never know how to begin. Ususlly the priest…I see the same one all the time…begins with a blessing…I don’t enumerate…just tell him what I’ve done, or haven’t done…he and I talk about it, I say an Act of Contrition (which I make up) then he absolves me…I had one priest who sort of followed the new rite…readings and all…it was nice.

It is still common to start off with Bless me Father,… The priest will usually start with the sign of the cross then you can say this. It serves as a way of letting the priest know you are beginning as well as give him an understanding of how long it has been since your last confession. I will say it if I’m behind the screen or face to face. It is also proper to enumerate with our sins. I hope this helped.

God Bless,
Matt

 

[Catholic_Heart]

marty1818:

It is still common to start off with Bless me Father,… The priest will usually start with the sign of the cross then you can say this. It serves as a way of letting the priest know you are beginning as well as give him an understanding of how long it has been since your last confession. I will say it if I’m behind the screen or face to face. It is also proper to enumerate with our sins. I hope this helped.

God Bless,
Matt

Thanks, Matt…I’ve always wanted to start this way, but was afraid it wasn’t done anymore, and I would look/sound silly.

I do love this sacrament, but don’t go nearly often enough. The priest I usually see, who is the Pastor of my parish, encourges me to come when I feel I “need” to. I am thinking that I might “need” to go more often than that. Two to four times a year just doesn’t seem like enough…does it?

 

[Madia]

The priest I usually see, who is the Pastor of my parish, encourges me to come when I feel I “need” to. I am thinking that I might “need” to go more often than that. Two to four times a year just doesn’t seem like enough…does it?

I rccommend at least once a month (an as soon as possible if you commit a mortal sin). Have you ever considered the First Saturday Devotion? That way (along with all the other graces) you’ll get to confession at least once a month:
theworkofgod.org/Devotns/1stsatrd.htm