Confession at a Tridentine Parish

[C794]

I read that confession at a Tridentine Parish would be in Latin. So how does this work? I’m assuming when you actually confess sins and obtain advice the vernacular would be used (well it would kind of have to be like this). But with the pre-written parts being in Latin, how is someone (who doesn’t speak Latin) supposed to know what to say and when to say it?

 

[YoungTradCath]

Begin your confession as normal, confess your sins when appropriate, listen to any advice. The absolution will be in Latin.

 

[WMichael]

I’m not sure if it was just a specific priest but when I had my confession at a Tridentine parish that they wanted to know more about my sins and liked to ask more questions to sins that I’ve possibly committed but have not said.

This is compared to my Novus ordo parish which just listens to the sins I say and doesn’t go further to find the details of my sins or others that I might be holding back.

 

[Chatter163]

I’m not sure if it was just a specific priest but when I had my confession at a Tridentine parish that they wanted to know more about my sins and liked to ask more questions to sins that I’ve possibly committed but have not said.

This is compared to my Novus ordo parish which just listens to the sins I say and doesn’t go further to find the details of my sins or others that I might be holding back.

Who is “they”? Confession styles vary greatly from priest to priest.

 

[maryjk]

I’m not sure if it was just a specific priest but when I had my confession at a Tridentine parish that they **wanted to know more about my sins and liked to ask more questions to sins that I’ve possibly committed but have not said. **

This is compared to my Novus ordo parish which just listens to the sins I say and doesn’t go further to find the details of my sins or others that I might be holding back.

Sorry, this seems more like an Inquisition rather than a Confession.

You need to confess sins in number and kind. Maybe you were working with a Spiritual Director? Rather then your confessor?

 

[Tarpeian_Rock]

I read that confession at a Tridentine Parish would be in Latin. So how does this work? I’m assuming when you actually confess sins and obtain advice the vernacular would be used (well it would kind of have to be like this). But with the pre-written parts being in Latin, how is someone (who doesn’t speak Latin) supposed to know what to say and when to say it?

What’s a “Tridentine Parish?” I’m aware of the Ordinary Form and Extraordinary Form of the Mass, but I didn’t realize that parishes were segregated and separately identified by their liturgies.

 

[Esrb99]

What’s a “Tridentine Parish?” I’m aware of the Ordinary Form and Extraordinary Form of the Mass, but I didn’t realize that parishes were segregated and separately identified by their liturgies.

Come now… we all know that “Tridentine Mass” is synonymous with “Extraordinary Form Mass”, so “Tridentine Parish” is likely synonymous with a parish devoted exclusively to the “Extraordinary Form”

Sorry, this seems more like an Inquisition rather than a Confession.

shrug

Priests can always ask a question or two for clarification on sins, or ask about prayer life, etc. In order to provide sound spiritual advice. In my mind, the priest asking such questions may be more helpful than just being told, “Wow. What a thorough confession. Go in peace” (which has happened to me before).

 

[Filioque]

If you mention a certain type of sin, the priest may need to know a little more in order to know what penance to impose or what advice to give you. If for instance you say you committed a “sin of the flesh” He may ask for more specifics, as it could be a sin you committed alone, or with another. If it was with another you could be influencing or influenced by another to sin, and he may advise you to avoid the person or situations that caused you to sin.

While some priests are a bit more gruff than others, just as any non-priest you may encounter throughout the day, sometimes a bit more information is needed to help you identify problem areas which may keep you from avoiding sin, or understanding the seriousness of your sins.

 

[JuantheTuba]

Sorry, this seems more like an Inquisition rather than a Confession.

Why? The priest has every right to ask questions if he needs clarification as to what one is confessing.

For the OP’s question, your confession and act of contrition will all be in the vernacular (Bless me Father… etc.) When the priest gives you Absolution he will say it in Latin, and he might also do it while you are saying your Act of Contrition.

 

[Marysann]

I made my first confession before Vatican II. I make my confession today exactly the same way as I learned in 1955. The only difference is that absolution was in Latin. Some priests want more information in order to give the penitent appropriate counsel. Your priest the OF parish must not feel the need for more information. I now confess at OF parishes, and I have found many priests who will ask questions about what I have done. I don’t thing that this has anything to do with whether the parish is OF or EF.

 

[maryjk]

Why? The priest has every right to ask questions if he needs clarification as to what one is confessing.

and liked to ask more questions to sins that I’ve possibly committed but have not said.

Asking if you have also committed specific *other *sins is not the same as asking for clarification.

I get the asking for clarification. I do not get asking about other sins that haven’t already been mentioned.

 

[WMichael]

Marysann I agree it just depends on the priest. The priest really just had questions leading on from what sins I confessed for clarification and not for some inquisition.

 

[commenter]

“Tridentine parish” is ambiguous. There are parishes that are under the Pope and the bishop. The priests have faculties to hear confessions. They may have the Latin Mass all the time, some of the time, or maybe, at present, not at all.

There are other parishes that are not under the Pope and the bishop. Their priests do not have faculties to hear confessions. Whether they use Latin or not isn’t the issue.

 

[JuantheTuba]

Asking if you have also committed specific *other *sins is not the same as asking for clarification.

I get the asking for clarification. I do not get asking about other sins that haven’t already been mentioned.

Maybe the Priest felt there might be some dishonesty, and wanted to make sure the penitent had confessed all their mortal sins? Not that the OP was being dishonest, but the Priest has to be able to do what he can to the best of his ability to make sure that the sacraments aren’t being abused.

 

[Filioque]

Asking if you have also committed specific *other *sins is not the same as asking for clarification.

I get the asking for clarification. I do not get asking about other sins that haven’t already been mentioned.

If you committed an act that is considered sinful, but the circumstances were such that it would mitigate the seriousness, it may be justified for the priest to probe a little. Such a case may be that you robbed a store, but the real criminals told you if you don’t rob the store for me, I’ll kill your mother. Or you acted immorally, but you were drunk when it happened. The priest should know this because it would effect the seriousness of the immoral act, and you may have also been able to prevent it or prevent it in the future becasue he should councel you on avoiding places or occasions of sin.

The other problem which we face today when one goes to confession to a priest who is holds to the traditional moral teachings of the Church, and as the OP suggests a parish where the EF is either habitually or exclusivly offered is that the priest if he does not know you, cannot be sure that you were properly instructed on Catholic moral teachings, or preparation for confession. The confessional is also a place where we can be taught about the Faith. So bringing up these other sins can be his way of instructing you and enlightening you about sin, so you can be aware of it and hopefully avoid it in the future.

If you are very fortunate, you may just have a priest with the charisms of St. Padre Pio or St. John Vianney. I fear and hope to confess to one of those priests.

Sometimes things that are good for us are not easy. Exercise, spiritual or physical can be painful at times, but in the case of spiritual exercise, the rewards are heavenly.

 

[Lormar]

If you committed an act that is considered sinful, but the circumstances were such that it would mitigate the seriousness, it may be justified for the priest to probe a little. Such a case may be that you robbed a store, but the real criminals told you if you don’t rob the store for me, I’ll kill your mother. Or you acted immorally, but you were drunk when it happened. The priest should know this because it would effect the seriousness of the immoral act, and you may have also been able to prevent it or prevent it in the future becasue he should councel you on avoiding places or occasions of sin.

The other problem which we face today when one goes to confession to a priest who is holds to the traditional moral teachings of the Church, and as the OP suggests a parish where the EF is either habitually or exclusivly offered is that the priest if he does not know you, cannot be sure that you were properly instructed on Catholic moral teachings, or preparation for confession. The confessional is also a place where we can be taught about the Faith. So bringing up these other sins can be his way of instructing you and enlightening you about sin, so you can be aware of it and hopefully avoid it in the future.

If you are very fortunate, you may just have a priest with the charisms of St. Padre Pio or St. John Vianney. I fear and hope to confess to one of those priests.

Sometimes things that are good for us are not easy. Exercise, spiritual or physical can be painful at times, but in the case of spiritual exercise, the rewards are heavenly.

 

[Gidge]

I read that confession at a Tridentine Parish would be in Latin. So how does this work? I’m assuming when you actually confess sins and obtain advice the vernacular would be used (well it would kind of have to be like this). But with the pre-written parts being in Latin, how is someone (who doesn’t speak Latin) supposed to know what to say and when to say it?

Your part is in English

1. Sins confessed
2. Act of Contrition
3. Spiritual advice (if applicable)/ Talking with the priest.

The most difficult thing at first is getting used to having the absolution being said WHILE you say your Act of Contrition, you’ll get used to it.

 

[UncleBill]

Sorry, this seems more like an Inquisition rather than a Confession.

You need to confess sins in number and kind. Maybe you were working with a Spiritual Director? Rather then your confessor?

Exactly how confession was before Vatican II! You confessed the sin and the number of times you committed it…the priest almost always gave you a good grilling as well. Nothing like the warm fuzzy post council “confession” or should I say Sacrament of reconciliation?

 

[porthos11]

Exactly how confession was before Vatican II! You confessed the sin and the number of times you committed it…the priest almost always gave you a good grilling as well. Nothing like the warm fuzzy post council “confession” or should I say Sacrament of reconciliation?

Vatican II has nothing to do with it. I have had both severe and fuzzy confessions from FSSP priests and severe and fuzzy confessions from diocesan priests. It’s the confessor, not the council.

 

[Lormar]

Vatican II has nothing to do with it. I have had both severe and fuzzy confessions from FSSP priests and severe and fuzzy confessions from diocesan priests.** It’s the confessor, not the council.**

So true!

The most severe tongue lashing I ever received by a diocesan priest was a couple of years ago.

In fact, after this particular confession, I finally understood why some people, once they get “yelled at” in confession, don’t return to confession ever again for fear of encountering the same treatment, or leave the Church all together.