Ask a Priest Anything...about Confession!

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Father,
When I am in confession is it better to just say my sins, or give context? I always feel like giving context makes it seem like I am making excuses, but I also wonder if just listing my sins makes me sound indifferent. Thank you for taking the time to answer these questions.
 
Sins, not stories. If the priest needs detail, he will ask. It doesn’t seem indifferent, it seems like you’re trying to put distance between yourself and your sins. You’re right that giving details leads to justification and excuses.
 
I understand the only unforgivable sin is Blasphemy of the Holy Spirit.

I really didn’t understand what that mean… kind of figured it was cursing the Holy Spirit, turning your back on it or simply saying it doesn’t exist… but in class today someone gave me another definition. He said blasphemy can be defined as thinking God or the Holy Spirit isn’t powerful enough to forgive us or that our sin it too great to be forgiven… never thought that but… here are my questions.
  • how do you define blasphemy of the Holy Spirit, which is the only unforgivable sin?
  • do you believe there is a difference between thinking your sin is too great to be forgiven from thinking you don’t deserve forgiveness?
  • if you don’t believe you deserve forgiveness, will forgiveness be given if you are truly sorry for you sin?
hope this wasn’t already asked cause I didn’t read the whole tread… if it was just point me to the post that will help.

Thank You.
 
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Anna5 said:
don’t you think it is preferable to go to confession with your own parish priest (to combat pride/to foster greater humility, to bring your sins to light with somebody you know instead of
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In an ideal world, yes; but of course we don’t live in an ideal world and can only do what we can. Of course if you’re struggling with a particular sin then it’s important to let the priest know this rather than trying to avoid it by going to different priests. That said, what truly matters is that you’re going to confession - that’s the most important thing.
 
The Code of Canon Law allows a priest who is conscious of grave sin to celebrate Mass without previous sacramental confession provided there is a grave reason (such as the need to celebrate Mass for the faithful) and no opportunity to confess.In this case the priest is to remember the obligation to make an act of perfect contrition, which includes the resolution of confessing as soon as possible. (Can. 916).
 
I have heard of some people doing a confession of their entire life on retreats. If one received absolution previously, why bring them up again? Would it not be best to leave them behind?
 
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This is an awesome thread. A special thanks to the priests for taking time to share some information about their ministry and of course thank you for the work that you do as a priest! 😃

If I may ask a question (in the form of a statement), I have wondered what priests do when they sit in a confessional without a penitent. Have either of you ever sat in a confessional for a significant period of time without hearing confessions?
 
Father, if a priest speaks very loudly in the confessional so that others waiting for confession can hear, does he break the seal of confession? Personally, I have been traveling to a different parish for confession because of this very problem.
 
He doesn’t break the seal, but those who overhear should not divulge what they hear. If someone is loud in my confessional, I tell them to turn their voice down before they start saying their sins.
 
I usually take my breviary, my rosary, and whatever I’m reading at the moment. Usually in my parish there aren’t major gaps. We have a reputation as the “Confession parish” in the area, so we’re always busy.
 
How can I, as a lay person, effect change in my parish so others will begin going to confession more often?
 
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Both and. Individual confessions (Rite I) works better because I can give more time to those who come to confession, whereas Rite II (i.e. penance / reconciliation services) are basically the sacramental equivalent of speed dating! I once even heard a suggestion that the confessions should be heard standing up in order to speed things along! That said, those times are when most people come and so, in that sense, they’re invaluable.
 
I have sometimes freeze up in confession, if this happens a lot to you , you can write your confession on a piece of paper and read it off. Then after Confession destroy the piece of paper.
 
Lysander said:
I have sometimes freeze up in confession, if this happens a lot to you , you can write your confession on a piece of paper and read it off. Then after Confession destroy the piece of paper.
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Not really a problem for me.
I was speaking of an incident when I was 8.
I was nervous at a different church and completely froze.
The priest was having a bad day and reacted badly.
When I left the confessional, the line quickly disappeared as people heard the commotion and rethought their decision to go to confession at that time.
I could say I felt worse leaving then before I got there, but I was in such shock I felt nothing else.

Decades later, I remember it still.
Don’t remember the church, or the city I was in.
But I remember that confession.

I pray for the priest when I do recall it.
He was having a bad day, and a frozen up penitent was the last thing he needed.
 
Sorry to hear that you had that experience. Its true that priest have bad days too. I personally struggle somtimes in remembering to pray for priests.
 
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Is it ok to go to one church and make confession and then go across town to a different parish to take communion. I am incredibly embarrassed over things I’ve done in the past. You don’t know me so it’s easier to ask you this. What about the things from 20 30 years ago when I wasn’t Catholic and I’ve confessed to the Lord back years ago? I told my priest that I’d done pretty much everything on the examination sheet without naming each transgression and it was not only humiliating but I felt like I’d caused him to need confession for listening to me. Additionally he’d never get out of there if I tried to tell him every act I could specifically remember. I’ve broken every commandment. And plenty more than once. I’ve asked for forgiveness and the beauty of the CC is there is finally a tangible way to deal with sin. it’s real easy to kneel down or go to a corner and talk to your self asking God’s forgiveness. I like the idea of skin on it!
 
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