Did Confession change after Vatican ll?

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Joanne_ca

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I’m still trying to get myself ready to confess my sins after some thirty years and I would like some advice please. I remember the procedures when you enter the confessional such as kneel, and say “Bless me father for I have sinned”, it has been a no of years since my last confession. Has this changed at all, and do we still say the Act of Contrition at the end before we leave the Confessional. I will be receiving the sacrament of penance in a Tridentine church. Any help would be appreciated.

:gopray2: God Bless
 
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Joanne_ca:
I’m still trying to get myself ready to confess my sins after some thirty years and I would like some advice please. I remember the procedures when you enter the confessional such as kneel, and say “Bless me father for I have sinned”, it has been a no of years since my last confession. Has this changed at all, and do we still say the Act of Contrition at the end before we leave the Confessional. I will be receiving the sacrament of penance in a Tridentine church. Any help would be appreciated.

:gopray2: God Bless
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If you are talking about the Catholic Church, the process has not changed – although some people now like to do it face to face. I prefer the “screen” method.

May God bless you for your return to this sacrament. You will be happy that you have returned.
 
The only noticeable change is the penitent’s option to confess through the screen or face-to-face. There are some priests who will not request you to recite the Act of Contrition in the confessional.
 
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larryo:
The only noticeable change is the penitent’s option to confess through the screen or face-to-face. There are some priests who will not request you to recite the Act of Contrition in the confessional.
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But do it anyway!
 
I prefer sitting with the Priest and confessing 🙂

I have prayed for you, for the strength and courage to get to the Confessional box :gopray:

:blessyou:
 
Actually it may be the easiest confession you ever make - it was for me - once I got past the (it has been 30 years) part - the priest said welcome home -

Of course you won’t be able to enumerate the kinds by numbers - over that many years and if you ask him, he will help you through this first one. I told him that in 30 years I had probably in some form broken every commandment but one.

He told me to confess those things which weighed most on my conscience and to make a perfect act of contrition.

While confession has not changed, you may notice some changs in the Mass - for me I left before Vatican II and when I returned I didn’t even recognize the Mass so much had changed.

.
 
One other thing has changed. The lines are shorter or non-existant. The faithful have been told by some that there is no need to go to confession for small matters. This is true, however, the Sacrament remains a great font of grace, even if one is not in serious sin. Also, there is a lack of knowledge of the 10 Commandments. Fr. Corapi tells how he gave a little quiz at one of his talks and only a few could write down the 10 Commandments. This makes a good confession rather difficult!

God bless you for your faith,
Deacon Tony SFO
 
I made my first confession in eight years yesterday.

I was incredibly nervous and spent a long time sitting getting myself into the right frame of mind for confession - but it was worth it.

There have been some major issues in my life that have kept me away from church and the sacraments and I was anxious, nervous and a bit upset - but we took the time to discuss these. I was in the confessional for the longest time ever (I’m sure it was about 15 minutes) but I am so relieved to receive the grace of this wonderful sacrament and I do feel like i’ve come home.

What the priest got across to me was such a ‘welcome home’ message.

We all get lost at times but it’s the being found that matters!

I hope you re-discover the same peace in this sacrament that I have.
 
<<<We all get lost at times but it’s the being found that matters!>>>

What a wonddrful “quote”…So true, and so wonderful to know! Thanks.
 
If it’s been 30 years, you might consider doing it by appointment. That way, if you need a little extra time, you won’t feel pressured by the line behind you. When you set up the appointment, you can ask the priest about the technical details.

By the way, presuming you’ve been away from the Church, WELCOME HOME!!! :clapping: If you have been in the Church and receiving the Eucharist with mortal sin on your soul: WELCOME HOME!!! :dancing:

The hard grace of a good confession is one of the miracles of Almighty God.
 
Thank you very much for your prayers and comments. I have been away from the confessional but not from the church. I talked myself into believing, as long as I confess my sins to God it was alright. I’ve come to realize how important this sacrament is and I was wrong to be receiving communion in the state of mortal sin. It’s the embarrasment of confessing some sins from my youth that has kept me away but I pray for the courage to do this before I receive communion again. Please pray for me.

:o Joanne

:blessyou:
 
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Joanne_ca:
I pray for the courage to do this before I receive communion again. Please pray for me.

:o Joanne

:blessyou:
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When I came (as a Convert) to general Confession, I thought it would be impossible. How could I remember everything I needed to remember? How could I face up to my past life honestly, yet simply and with integrity in front of another person? How could I be thorough without appearing scrupulous? At that point, I prayed one of the most important prayers of my life:

“Lord, if this confession is going to be what it needs to be, what you want it to be, you’re going to have to do it for me.”

And he did. As I prepared and delivered that confession, I kept asking myself, “Where is this coming from?” – as if I didn’t know!

Think of how much grace you have already been given simply by having the desire to “do the right thing.” He’ll give you what you need. I continually overwhelmed by the power of this Sacrament.
 
Joanne,

With all respect to Mercy Gate, if you are feeling embarrasment, you may not want to go the appointment route. I was in the same boat as you 3 years ago (24+ years away from confession, but not the Church). I just got to the end of the line. One of the best things I ever did.

A few things: face-to-face confession is not an option in every parish and I would doubt it is available at the Tridentine one you mentioned. Also, at a more Traditional parish they are more likely to encourage the “old” form (Bless me Father etc… and the Act of Contrition).

Best wishes as you take the plunge back into the Sacraments.
 
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Joanne_ca:
I’ve come to realize how important this sacrament is and I was wrong to be receiving communion in the state of mortal sin.:o Joanne

:blessyou:
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Joanne: I went through the motions of being catholic in my adult life, but I wasn’t following all the teachings of the church until about 7 months ago. When I receive confession at least once a month and take communion at least twice a week I am in the best frame of mind. And this is coming from a person who used to live for having a “good time”. Now a days, I live first for God, then my family, and finally myself. Good luck and May God bless you, Puppy
 
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kmktexas:
Joanne,

With all respect to Mercy Gate, if you are feeling embarrasment, you may not want to go the appointment route. . . .

A few things: face-to-face confession is not an option in every parish and I would doubt it is available at the Tridentine one you mentioned. Also, at a more Traditional parish they are more likely to encourage the “old” form (Bless me Father etc… and the Act of Contrition).

Best wishes as you take the plunge back into the Sacraments.
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Texas, you bring up an excellent pastoral point in mentioning that “the box” might be easier than a face-to-face confession. But just to keep the “appointment” door open, since you don’t want to be lingering when the priest might have something else scheduled, making an appointment for confession does not mean that Joann could not specify that she preferred “the box.” (If she called my parish, the pastor would probably tell her he doesn’t use it – but he would be DEAD WRONG to imply that it is not available to her.) This is very personal and the call is Joanne’s. The penitent is entitled to the choice and should not feel pressured about it one way or another.

May you have great peace, whatever you decide, Joanne. Aren’t you glad you came here?
 
The appointment route is something I wish I’d considered before last Saturday.

I spent a lot of time in church before approaching the confessional as I was a bit nervous and anxious. Eight years worth of worry!

I guess I would have liked the opportunity to have some more time as it was approaching the end of the set time for confession and I knew there was at least one other person waiting outside.

It has changed the focus of my life though - I’m more aware of my own actions. But more importantly I’m more aware of God.
 
Ask people you know whether or not the parish you’ll be going to has screens or face-to-face or both. Personally, I like the screen, even though my pastor knows it’s me.

You will feel like you’ve lost 30 lbs. and 30 years! It’s such an amazing feeling - that first absolution after a long time. I was away from the sacraments for nearly 20 years before coming back home, and now I can’t imagine life without them. Besides, when the priests gain another soul for Christ through confession, they experience such joy!

God bless,
Sue
 
I can’t realy answer the question since I made my first Confession on April 20, 1996 two weeks after my Baptism, Confirmation and First Holy Communion as an adult.

I really get upset with those priests I’ve been to for Confession who have their own ideas of how this Rite should go. Let’s just say it doesn’t hit my heart the same way it used to. Once I got this blow-hard who walked me all over the grounds of the parish and then just stood me there and started my Confession right in the parking lot! It was most importune for those ears who could hear what I was saying through the windows of the Rectory since we aren’t supposed to listen when someone is hearing Confession, but personally I just think this poor, poor man is sheperding himself instead of sheperding me.

Peace and all good,

Thomas2
 
Hi Everyone

I did it.I went to confession and I feel so wonderful. This burden is finally lifted from me. I almost chickened out again, but I asked Mary to give me the courage. At the last minute I decided to go (it takes 30min to get there so I had time to prepare); I arrived 15 min before confession was over so it didn’t leave me much time to think about it. This priest was so wonderful, he guided me through the whole thing and when he said , “all your sins are absolved”, I felt so relieved and so thankful. I’m glad it’s over and I plan to go to confession every week and I pray this will inspire other Catholics to do the same. Ask for guidance from Jesus and our mother Mary.
God bless you all and thanks

Joanne
 
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