Confessor

[uselessbeggar]

Is it proper for the priest confessor in the confessional to tell the penitent that she has confessed this same sin the last two times in the confessional.?

It was a very unsettling experience and unappreciated since that’s why we go to confession for the grace to try to avoid it in the future. I think the priest was very wrong to remember specific sins of certain people.

Forgiven, repented sins are forgotten by Christ, are they not?

Dominus vobiscum

uselessbeggar

 

[Trishie]

I can understand that it’s unsettling, but you know of course it will only stay in the Confessional. I realise even so that it could make you feel very uncomfortable when he’s around.
Maybe, I’m not sure, he could have found a more explicit way to say, perhaps you’re being somewhat scrupulous, if it was numerically the same thing. It’s scrupulous to fail to accept absolution already given. Perhaps he thought this is the case.
But is it was the same kind of sin but not the same sin, then it was a not so sensitive way of pointing out that he feared you didn’t have a proper intention for amendment.

If it was the latter, perhaps he was trying to stir you to seek greater purpose and grace. Perhaps it could be an inspiration of the Holy Spirit to try more effectively.

You and I both know that some kinds of sins are extra difficult to avoid. Perhaps it would be well to preface your confession of similar sins by saying,
"Father, I’ve been trying hard but I fell into this sin again." Then both of the priest’s concerns are met. His remarks do show that he has a concern for you, even though it makes you feel exposed. But remember, he knows that he’s human too and battles the same human weaknesses. Wanting to help your growth might seem like judging you, but isn’t, actually.

Please don’t stop going to Confession for the grace God has for you in the Sacrament.

My best wishes and prayer,

Trishie

By the way, why did you have to go and call yourself “Useless Beggar”? It makes me sad that you’d call yourself that. You have our welcome and love.:grouphug:

 

[passus]

Is it proper for the priest confessor in the confessional to tell the penitent that she has confessed this same sin the last two times in the confessional.?

It was a very unsettling experience and unappreciated since that’s why we go to confession for the grace to try to avoid it in the future. I think the priest was very wrong to remember specific sins of certain people.

Forgiven, repented sins are forgotten by Christ, are they not?

Dominus vobiscum

uselessbeggar

Yes, it is quite proper, because the job of the confessor is to help in spiritual guidance and formation of the conscience of the penitent. He’s there to help you with what might be leading you to commit this specific sin and if he can, give you guidance on how to keep it from happening again.

You have no reason to worry. All your confessed sins are bound by the seal of confession.

God bless.

 

[LilyM]

Is it proper for the priest confessor in the confessional to tell the penitent that she has confessed this same sin the last two times in the confessional.?

It was a very unsettling experience and unappreciated since that’s why we go to confession for the grace to try to avoid it in the future. I think the priest was very wrong to remember specific sins of certain people.

Forgiven, repented sins are forgotten by Christ, are they not?

Dominus vobiscum

uselessbeggar

Part of a priest’s job in the confessional is to give advice as well as simply to absolve.

As part of that he might mention a certain pattern of sin that seems to be recurring in your life - and perhaps some advice on how to do better with that particular sin in future. Grace is an excellent thing but sometimes a bit of ordinary human effort (and advice) is needed to take proper advantage of that grace.

Remember even with the woman in adultery Christ, didn’t stop merely with forgiving her, but told her to ‘sin no more’. Part of the ‘sinning no more’ is achieved by the giving of advice.

Many people specifically seek out the same confessor regularly precisely because he gets to know them over time and CAN help them in regard to recurring sins. Having said that, it does sound like the priest could’ve handled it better in your case - perhaps by explaining what he was about to do beforehand or something.