Do you prefer Confessing face to face or through a private confessional grid/screen?

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I’ve gone to a Byzantine priest once. He used his “cape” for the Confessional/screen…that was cool.
 
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That’s why face to face with an unknown priest seems to be problematic for me/my style of confession…it leads to chatter.
 
Edward_H said:
I’ve gone to a Byzantine priest once. He used his “cape” for the Confessional/screen…that was cool.
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I’m not sure how that would work and it isn’t part of Byzantine tradition to have any sort of confessional or screen, but if it worked for you, I’m glad for it. Except maybe you’re remembering when he put his stole on your head for absolution? Or in some traditions, the priest hears the whole confession with the stole on the head. Like this:
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Usually, confessions are heard before the of the icon of Christ on the icon screen, though my parish has a little alcove off to the side, but still easily visible. It isn’t really face-to-face so much as side-by-side. This can really throw visitors off if they aren’t expecting it.
 
Edward_H said:
It’s how Fr Rick did it.
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That makes sense. When you said that he used it as a screen, I was confused because I think of the screen as a barrier between the priest and the penitent, which was its original purpose. I see confession in the Byzantine Rite as a much more intimate encounter, so I couldn’t imagine that this was what you were referring to. It doesn’t provide much protection from prying eyes, but would certainly help keep focus and discourage wandering chatter.
 
I prefer the screen because I feel that I am better able to stay focused on my confession not be distracted or hesitant when facing a priest directly.
 
I don’t feel really comfortable talking to a priest face to face about my sins and failures. I’m glad we have that option to confess more privately.
 
Well, I did it. I went to my reconciliation service tonight and stayed for confession. There were several priests, so I chose one who was behind closed doors so I could have the privacy that I needed. He could tell I was struggling with some things and was kind enough to take the time to give me some advice as to where to go next on my journey to becoming the best Catholic I can be. I have to add- when I left church, got in my car and turned my radio to 60’s on 6, “Oh Happy Day” came on. God is so good!
 
I use the screen. I go to a Traditional Latin Mass church, but even before I did, I always preferred the screen. It makes me a little more comfortable and able to focus. I’m an introvert, so I tend to freeze up more face to face. The through the screen allows me to focus as well as the priest. I don’t know why churches stopped using them unless they were trying to be more “progressive” or “less formal” which isn’t necessarily a good thing.
 
I do not like the face to face format…I think there are many different personality types and some may be better face to face while others who are more shy may feel more comfortable with the privacy of a screen…I am not sure but I think to that having the anonymity may allow a deeper confession for some. One might want to “hide” a sin instead of confessing when face to face.
 
When my youngest made his First Holy Communion, he was the only child out of 43++ Communicants to sit face to face with the priest. Holy Mackerel, that made my day, my week…my life! When I asked my 7 almost 8 year old why he chose this course, he responded simply;
“I have the Jesus in me, Father S. has the Jesus in him, so I figured I would let them meet face to face. Why hide Jesus or hide from Jesus? Heaven sees everything already anyway…”
I remember my arms almost going numb, and trying to breathe through a simple moment that became a blessing of a lifetime.
Mo
 
Definitely screen for me. That way, I can best picture Jesus himself behind the screen.
 
ncfddm said:
I’m an introvert, so I tend to freeze up more face to face. The through the screen allows me to focus as well as the priest.
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BlueMaxx said:
I do not like the face to face format…I think there are many different personality types and some may be better face to face while others who are more shy may feel more comfortable with the privacy of a screen…
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This is an interesting thought. I am strongly introverted and fairly shy with strangers. I have a very difficult time baring my soul to someone I don’t know, with or without a screen. I almost always confess to a priest who knows me well and in that context, face to face is easier for me and makes more sense to me. Of course, if I have a strong need for confession and my regular confessor isn’t available, I do what I need to do and I’m not picky.
 
I prefer behind the screen for many of the reasons already listed here and a few others:
*With the confessor behind the screen, it’s easier for me to remember that I’m speaking to someone acting “in persona Christi.”
*In all cases, I’ve encountered, confession behind the screen is always done kneeling, which to me is a humble posture, especially in a small, darkened room. Confessing face-to-face, in my experience has always been done seated, which to me feels less humble.
*In my opinion, confession face-to-face feels more like a therapy session rather than someone telling Jesus his or her sins and expressing sorrow for sins. Don’t get me wrong, I value the confessor’s counsel, but to me the main point of the sacrament is sorrow for sin.
Just my 2 cents.
 
I always go face to face as I just feel more comfortable doing so. Besides, the priest(s) knows my voice and it’s distinctive, and esp. since I talk to them in person at church and me being a Lector at my church. Maybe I could use the screen and disguise my voice with different accents each time: English, German, Spanish, French, Cajun, Hillbilly, a women’s voice, etc. 🤣 Don’t any of you get your panties in a wad, it’s just a joke.
 
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Funny story…

A priest told me about his first confessional as a priest. It was in a church which had recently converted the confessional from a grid to face-to-face. An old lady walked in, saw him sitting there, and walked straight out!
 
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Edmundus1581 said:
Funny story…

A priest told me about his first confessional as a priest. It was in a church which had recently converted the confessional from a grid to face-to-face. An old lady walked in, saw him sitting there, and walked straight out!
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I can see how it would definitely be a shock if she wasn’t expecting it. I would think there would have been someone into depression before the conversion was made, but maybe she wasn’t a parishioner.
 
I really don’t mind either. But I prefer the screen, because it seems to act as a veil between me and Heaven. It helps me to better understand that I’m not just confessing to the priest, but also to God.
 
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