Confession/Penitential Service

[mommy]

In our bulletin last week, we had a schedule for upcoming Masses for the Holy Week. We are adding some extra confession time as well, it’s listed this way:

Monday Confession: 6-8 pm
Tuesday:Confession: 6-8 pm
Wed: Penitential service 6 pm

My question is, what is a penitential service?

 

[stbruno]

For our parish, we do an annual Lenten penitential service. It includes everyone gathering for a liturgy of the word, usually a homily and then we are asked to do an examination of conscience. At that time, priests move into the spots for individual confession. Some people may go face-to-face and other’s may go to confession in the confessionals. At no time, is their a general absolution for sin. Each and everyone must go for individual confession to receive absolution and penance. It is a very moving experience, worth attending.

 

[Church_Militant]

Yep…its part of Lent. We have ours tomorrow night as well. It is also a part of the RCIA process.
Pax vobiscum,

 

[MariaBelieves]

Is a “reconciliation service” the same as a “penitential service”? I am very nervous and anxious about going since I haven’t been to confession in a very long time. Nonetheless, I know it’s time. By the way, is it always possible to have the option of face-to-face vs. not face-to-face (screened)? Thanks and God bless.

Maria

 

[kmktexas]

By the way, is it always possible to have the option of face-to-face vs. not face-to-face (screened)? Thanks and God bless.

Technically, you are always supposed to have the option of anonymous confession (behind the screen). Offering face-to-face is up to the pastor. Our pastor, for example, only does behind the screen unless you are confessing by appointment.

Unfortunately, some parishes fail to provide the faithful with an option for behind-the-screen and some new churches have even been built without confessionals.

 

[Annunciata]

MariaBelieves:

… I am very nervous and anxious about going since I haven’t been to confession in a very long time… .

Maria,
Don’t worry about being nervous…I go almost every month and I still get nervous … Oooh what a relief when it’s over! Clean and renewed…getting “right” with God once again…!
We had a Penitential Service just the other night and there is the option of face-to-face or in the confessional. I prefer the latter…
I’ll keep you in my prayers. Remember that the Holy Spirit will guide you and help you.
God Bless,
Annunciata

 

[JustSomeGuy]

mommy:

My question is, what is a penitential service?

this is one of the three scenarios in the official text “the Rite of Penance”. in my experience, it is not always handled correctly. there are usually a lot of people so confession is rushed and the encounter with the sacrament diminished. it doesn’t have to be that way though.

in my parish these are very popular. my pastor doesn’t want it to go on all night, so he now has a habit of saying “just confess your favorite sin, the one you really need to work on” and 'the rest are forgiven anyway." i won’t bore or alarm you with the rest of his heretical statements. just remember, no matter what the other bozos do, Jesus is still there.

 

[mommy]

Wouldn’t having a ‘favorite’ sin, be a sin?

I am unbaptized so I’m not required to do my confession before the Easter Vigil, so I was curious what the service was and if I could/should attend.

thanks.

 

[JustSomeGuy]

Wouldn’t having a ‘favorite’ sin, be a sin?

yeah, the guy is twisted. i pray for him. you should hear some of his other stuff. thank God that ordination has power despite the man that’s ordained.

 

[m134e5]

Wouldn’t having a ‘favorite’ sin, be a sin?

I am unbaptized so I’m not required to do my confession before the Easter Vigil, so I was curious what the service was and if I could/should attend.

thanks.

No, you should not attend. Confession is for those who have been baptized. I would suggest you go to confession about a month after you are baptized (or sooner, if you commit a mortal sin before then) at your parish’s regularly scheduled confession time.

 

[JCPhoenix]

I used to be terrified of confession. Of course, at the time I was also acting contrary to the Church’s teachings, so rightly so.

It’s taken me a long time, and every time I go, I go to my penance joyfully.

Please keep in mind that Confession also involves spiritual direction. The other night I was prompted to go to Confession as I was dealing with many “issues” in my life. Rather than absolution (which I had recieved 2 weeks prior), I recieved some serious spiritual direction and actually had the opportunity to talk about some things which are not sins, but which have bothered me for a long time.

Confession isn’t necessarily about guilt and repentance, but about healing from the tragedies of our own lives. We can go to ask for forgiveness for our own faults, but at the same time learn how to forgive others and actually ACCEPT the grace that Jesus so willingly gives.

It is a beautiful sacrament,and until recently, although I am a cradle Catholic, I never realized how encompassing and loving a sacrament that it is.

A service is just that…a service, and if you go, be inspired by the encouragement to attend to the sacrament.

I can’t say enough about this.

If you have any doubt of my feelings, please check out some of my earliers posts on this forum as I really struggled with this…and now I can’t stay away. Miracles happen in confession. Asking for and recieving forgiveness canl change your life forever if you will let Jesus do his work.