Confession: face to face on knees

[chosendaughter]

I prefer face to face confession. I don’t know exactly why, but I do. Earlier in the month I tried behind the screen. The one thing I liked about behind the screen was the kneeling position. Why when we go face to face are we seated? If I want to kneel face to face should I ask the priest? Anyone else do that?
Thanks

 

[Rhuarc]

I would say ask, I love to kneel it helps me humble myself more.

 

[Elizium23]

You can ask, and I don’t know of a reasonable priest who would refuse your request. Posture is not regulated by the Rite of Confession, which means you have the right to assume any reasonable posture at all.

 

[mab23]

You can ask, and I don’t know of a reasonable priest who would refuse your request. Posture is not regulated by the Rite of Confession, which means you have the right to assume any reasonable posture at all.

this!

I like the screen personally but to each their own

 

[THE_ENCORE]

You can ask, and I don’t know of a reasonable priest who would refuse your request. Posture is not regulated by the Rite of Confession, which means you have the right to assume any reasonable posture at all.

Ya, now that I think of it I did my last confession standing up

 

[ImmaBV]

I do my own confession kneeling and face to face, and I like it a lot. It helps me to humble down more. It is possible because I usually confess in the sacristy where they arrange a kneeler infront of the Confessor. We have a Confessional box with the screens within the main Church but it is sometimes not used, I’ve never used it.
One day I was chatting with my Priest about the Sacrament of Confession and he happened to tell me that “you could be confessing as we talk and walk you know…” I just mentioned it to him that he had not brought his stola along (the confessional seal “cloth”). I think he wanted me to understand that when we feel most comfortable is when we can as well be more sincere and less artificial about what we are confessing…

 

[jreilly]

One day I was chatting with my Priest about the Sacrament of Confession and he happened to tell me that “you could be confessing as we talk and walk you know…” I just mentioned it to him that he had not brought his stola along (the confessional seal “cloth”). I think he wanted me to understand that when we feel most comfortable is when we can as well be more sincere and less artificial about what we are confessing…

This would be perfect!

 

[BertBlyleven]

One day I was chatting with my Priest about the Sacrament of Confession and he happened to tell me that “you could be confessing as we talk and walk you know…” I just mentioned it to him that he had not brought his stola along (the confessional seal “cloth”). I think he wanted me to understand that when we feel most comfortable is when we can as well be more sincere and less artificial about what we are confessing…

The place, position, and manner of any act should reflect the nature and gravity of said act. In the case of confession, one is wiped clean entirely of sin. This is a very grave action, a miracle in fact! There is a place for small talk and a place for reverence and penitence. The more confession becomes casual and chatty, the less faith we can have in its efficacy and necessity, or at least this is the effect it had on me, and I think the statistics point to this as well. So, if it makes you more comfortable, ok, but perhaps you should ask yourself why confessing behind a screen or in a chair or kneeling makes you less comfortable and sincere. Try confessing the old way for a few months, chances are you will get used to it.

 

[Elizium23]

The place, position, and manner of any act should reflect the nature and gravity of said act. In the case of confession, one is wiped clean entirely of sin. This is a very grave action, a miracle in fact! There is a place for small talk and a place for reverence and penitence. The more confession becomes casual and chatty, the less faith we can have in its efficacy and necessity, or at least this is the effect it had on me, and I think the statistics point to this as well. So, if it makes you more comfortable, ok, but perhaps you should ask yourself why confessing behind a screen or in a chair or kneeling makes you less comfortable and sincere. Try confessing the old way for a few months, chances are you will get used to it.

Everybody is different. The Church in her wisdom recognizes this. The Church does not mandate that we confess kneeling behind a screen, only that a screen be available for those who want it. If I feel more comfortable walking next to the priest in a courtyard, and the priest allows it, why limit me? The priest knows what is permissible, and perhaps I feel more comfortable looking him in the eye in order to tell him the truth and the whole truth.

On the other hand, there are some things that can be forced upon us that are not acceptable to the Church. I was once a member of a parish in 2000 or 2001 and everyone was nervous about the sexual abuse scandal. There was never a proper confessional with a fixed grille, and the priest took it one step further and refused to hear confessions in private. He would sit in the chapel with the door unlocked and the window shades open to the rest of the building. Or in the courtyard. That was a clear violation of the rights of the penitent. If someone requests it this way, that is one thing and it can be accomodated. But to provide no option for privacy or anonymity behind a grate, that is a violation.

 

[Deo_Gratias42]

But to provide no option for privacy or anonymity behind a grate, that is a violation.

I recommend not ever going to Confession in Italy.

The men go face-to-face, but the women use a screen. The catch is, the confessionals aren’t designed as little rooms.

 

[ConstantineTG]

Face to face, on the knees, the only way to go

(Please Note: This uploaded content is no longer available.)

 

[ImmaBV]

Nice discussion, but BertBlyleven’s comment’s indicate that I was not understood in my previous post. I like confessing face to face - kneeling. I have been lucky to have been able to use that posture more often than any other posture. However, I am okay if the arrangement for Confession requires me to sit, say, for example when I am confessing in another Parish for I travel frequently. Whatever the posture, face to face or not, I believe the main point is that we feel contrite and humble enough to take it to confession. The Confessor can feel it miles away if you are not contrite enough and he can help you correct that as you proceed with the confession, if you are recipient to the councelling. So, I would rather check how well I have prepared myself to confess well, rather than whether I will sit or kneel during the confession.
I also notice that during confessions sometimes I would have wanted to describe a problem I am dealing with more lengthly, but I feel that the priest has no enough time, so I just mention the bare neccessities. Therefore, it is not suprising that my Parish priest encouraged me on during the chatting, because he knows me well. The part where the priest gives you advice is very important. There is where one needs to listen very well and show obedience to the directives given.

 

[Elizium23]

I recommend not ever going to Confession in Italy.

The men go face-to-face, but the women use a screen. The catch is, the confessionals aren’t designed as little rooms.

There is no mention of men vs. women in the Code of Canon Law:

Can. 964 §1 The proper place for hearing sacramental confessions is a church or oratory.

§2 As far as the confessional is concerned, norms are to be issued by the Episcopal Conference, with the proviso however that confessionals, which the faithful who so wish may freely use, are located in an open place, and fitted with a fixed grille between the penitent and the confessor. §3 Except for a just reason, confessions are not to be heard elsewhere than in a confessional.

 

[englishredrose]

One day I was chatting with my Priest about the Sacrament of Confession and he happened to tell me that “you could be confessing as we talk and walk you know…” I just mentioned it to him that he had not brought his stola along (the confessional seal “cloth”). I think he wanted me to understand that when we feel most comfortable is when we can as well be more sincere and less artificial about what we are confessing…

This would be perfect!

Why don’t you ask him then if could do so like this when you book a confession with him

 

[anonymous_in_fl]

I had confession once with a wonderful Discalced Carmelite priest while stolling along Appalaichacola Bay. He was in his habit, and we were both barefoot walking in the sand.
It was very spiritual. To be surrounded by nature and see the wonderful creation of God, and to hear the priest say the prayer of absolution was an awesome experience.

 

[jreilly]

Quote:
Originally Posted by jreilly
One day I was chatting with my Priest about the Sacrament of Confession and he happened to tell me that “you could be confessing as we talk and walk you know…” I just mentioned it to him that he had not brought his stola along (the confessional seal “cloth”). I think he wanted me to understand that when we feel most comfortable is when we can as well be more sincere and less artificial about what we are confessing…

This would be perfect!

Why don’t you ask him then if could do so like this when you book a confession with him

Actually, for me, I prefer being face to face and kneeling; I most certainly understand the difference between confession/reconciliation and spiritual direction - what is described above (which I clipped from someone else’s post and somehow it got posted as mine), I believe is perfect for good spiritual direction.

I will be seeing my priest either today or tomorrow, and the less formal approach will take place. Got a lot on my mind that I think he’ll lend some wonderful guidance to. Thanks.

 

[ImmaBV]

I had confession once with a wonderful Discalced Carmelite priest while stolling along Appalaichacola Bay. He was in his habit, and we were both barefoot walking in the sand.
It was very spiritual. To be surrounded by nature and see the wonderful creation of God, and to hear the priest say the prayer of absolution was an awesome experience.

I believe the absolution was as much valid as it would have been anywhere, given your contrite heart! Lovely, especially if it was the only chance to get a timely Confession.

 

[ImmaBV]

As for spiritual direction, which I like very much (I wish I could get more)…where I am, the priests are quite busy. The only time one is sure to get spiritual direction is during Confession, and our two priests in my parish always combine confession and some spiritual direction. Probably it is done differently in other places… That is why it makes a lot of sense to me if it is done face to face.

 

[twf]

Back in Canada, I always use the screen.
Unfortunately, in the country that I am currently working in, the screen is simply not an option…at least at the one parish where I’ve found an English speaking priest, he only hears confessions face to face. I don’t mind face to face confession, but I always kneel before the priest when doing so.

 

[Chatter163]

On the other hand, there are some things that can be forced upon us that are not acceptable to the Church. I was once a member of a parish in 2000 or 2001 and everyone was nervous about the sexual abuse scandal. There was never a proper confessional with a fixed grille, and the priest took it one step further and refused to hear confessions in private. He would sit in the chapel with the door unlocked and the window shades open to the rest of the building. Or in the courtyard. That was a clear violation of the rights of the penitent. If someone requests it this way, that is one thing and it can be accomodated. But to provide no option for privacy or anonymity behind a grate, that is a violation.

The abuse scandals being used as a justification for more open confessionals really irked me. To the best of my knowledge, none of the cases during that period involved anyone being solicted in the confessional. One would be at greater risk meeting a priest in his office. Moreover, since no one can hear what is being said in a confessional, having the penitent visible through a glass door proves nothing.

Back in Canada, I always use the screen.
Unfortunately, in the country that I am currently working in, the screen is simply not an option…at least at the one parish where I’ve found an English speaking priest, he only hears confessions face to face. I don’t mind face to face confession, but I always kneel before the priest when doing so.

Wow, that is a canonical violation.