Do you prefer the confessional or face to face?

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I did my lifetime confession of 40 years of sins face to face, and never again! Never!
 
Ruprecht said:
Here is the view from the East:
Administration of the Sacrament in the EO churches can vary from one jurisdiction to another. In the Antiochian parishes I have been a member of, one can confess either by appointment or before Divine Liturgy, usually on Sunday morning during the chanting of Orthros or Matins. We meet with the priest on the solea in front of the icon of Jesus, to the right of the Royal Doors, or at another designated place. One is far enough away from the chanters and the laity to avoid anyone hearing anything.
So we are right there, in front of everyone, but there is no humiliation involved. Instead, there is joy and relief at the unburdening of one’s soul. Of course, if one has a really serious issue to discuss and confess, it is better to make an appointment with the priest. We can take the time needed to cover all issues.
Is the arrangement similar to the Easter Catholic practice, and can other Orthodox describe their situations?
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Yes, there is a similar arrangement in Eastern (at least Byzantine) Catholic practice. The little alcove on the right in the picture is our “confessional”. Confessions are usually heard prior to Divine Liturgy or other services, so there are generally other people in the church. For those who are concerned about protecting the integrity of the priest in face-to-face confessions, it provides a solution to that problem.

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It makes little difference to me, the mechanics of executing confession, its the effect of absolution I am more concerned with.

I used to think “face-to-face” was difficult, especially if you know the priest. And, I, as at least one poster mentioned, at one time would rather only do a “face-to-face” confession with a priest I don’t know.

I got over that, after realizing the priest is acting in the person of Christ. And since I believe this Church teaching to be true, I have no issue with the “face-to-face” confession…because I am, when confessing to the priest, confessing to Jesus Christ…and I would certainly never make the claim that I would rather confess to someone I don’t know, than to confess to Jesus!

Peace and all good!
 
Either way, it’s an awesome sacrament, so I’m happy. I do have a preference for a screen/confessional though. In my home country the confessionals had very see-through screens (as in they had large holes in them), so I was surprised to find that in the US there are many confessionals with screens that aren’t see-through. It makes it easier for me to focus on confessing my sins to God and not worrying about the specific person giving the absolution.
 
Mangaartist said:
Either way, it’s an awesome sacrament, so I’m happy. I do have a preference for a screen/confessional though. In my home country the confessionals had very see-through screens (as in they had large holes in them), so I was surprised to find that in the US there are many confessionals with screens that aren’t see-through. It makes it easier for me to focus on confessing my sins to God and not worrying about the specific person giving the absolution.
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👍
 
I generally go to confession at my parish and we only have face to face. One time when I was particularly embarrassed and was trying to confess in a traditional confessional, I went to the church near my office. Imagine my surprise when I stepped into the confessional and there was the priest sitting and another chair awaiting my arrival. Humbling.
 
I prefer the confessional behind the screen because I am not distracted . I picture Jesus behind the screen. In fact when I was young I had a holy card with a child on one side and a picture of Jesus on the other. I have tried face to face and I forget all that I need to confess because I feel I am confessing to a person rather than Jesus. I also like the fact that this is confession and not a chat session or counseling session.

I am glad both are offered so everyone can be happy.

Blessings,
 
I’m using the confessional now because it’s easier for me to open up, but I hope to one day muster up the courage to do it face-to-face.

I personally believe that a face-to-face confession is more spiritually meaningful to me (though sacramental efficacy is the same) than one done from behind a screen. The regret I feel for my sins is all the more deeper when I say it in full view of the priest and not as some anonymous disembodied voice speaking to another anonymous voice. It also helps me remember that I am not confessing to the walls, but to God, witnessed by my priest.

I don’t have the problem of thinking I’m confessing to a person instead of God because I often keep my eyes fixed upon the crucifix on the wall of the confessional, and that keeps a perpetual reminder to me that God is the recipient of my confession (I believe that’s what they are for, anyway), and it is to Him I address my regret and remorse.

It is good to remember that confessions used to be heard face-to-face by your parish priest, and continue to be done in the Eastern churches. I feel that having a screen in the confessional or a priest from outside your parish (or regular church) hear your confession hampers this. I still feel that they are important in lowering the bar so that more people will go for confession, or for protecting the reputation of the priest, but if there are no such impeding factors and the faithful are ready to take it up to the next level, they should. 🙂

On a side note, I’ve noticed that some parishes use a woven screen, which is about as effective at securing anonymity as having no screen at all. 😛
 
I’m using the confessional now because it’s easier for me to open up, but I hope to one day muster up the courage to do it face-to-face.

I personally believe that a face-to-face confession is more spiritually meaningful to me (though sacramental efficacy is the same) than one done from behind a screen. The regret I feel for my sins is all the more deeper when I say it in full view of the priest and not as some anonymous disembodied voice speaking to another anonymous voice. It also helps me remember that I am not confessing to the walls, but to God, witnessed by my priest.

I don’t have the problem of thinking I’m confessing to a person instead of God because I often keep my eyes fixed upon the crucifix on the wall of the confessional, and that gives me a constant reminder that God is the recipient of my confession (I believe that’s what they are for, anyway), and it is to Him I address my regret and remorse.

It is good to remember that confessions have long been heard face-to-face by your parish priest as often it has been from behind a screen, and this continue to be the practice in the Eastern churches. I feel that having a screen in the confessional or a priest from outside your parish (or regular church) hear your confession hampers this. I still feel that they are important in lowering the bar so that more people will go for confession, or for protecting the reputation of the priest, but if there are no such impeding factors and the faithful are ready to take it up to the next level, they should. 🙂

On a side note, I’ve noticed that some parishes use a woven screen, which is about as effective at securing anonymity as having no screen at all. 😛
 
i like more if it is face to face. it seems to be Telling a friend about your lost.
 
I used to like the box. Loved the box, never had to look at the priest to confess.
But since we got a new priest at our parish, I find that face to face is so much better. But then I’m the kind who makes an appointment for confession and usually it’s more than confession, it’s also needing help with what’s going on in my life. When I leave the church after confession with my priest, I feel lighter than air, like my feet barely touch the ground, it’s the best feeling and it’s new for me, and all due to this very holy man who is our priest. 🙂
 
I did “the box” once or twice. I hated it. For me, it was too impersonal. I knew it was Jesus on the other side of the screen, but I was able to “hide” from him. Not my sins, but…in a weird way, me. I much prefer face-to-face. If I am going to “lay it all out there”, then…it needs to be seen, both the verbal and the non-verbal. I think I’m expressing it badly, but there you have it. I go to the same confessor and it helps me to be more “real” because I know he knows me, and thinks I’m okay anyway. Even though I sin, I’m still okay as a person. Coming from a tradition where that was not the case, it makes the sacrament even more beautiful.
Kris
 
I prefer the screen. I’ve noticed when waiting in line at my parish that everyone else seems to also (the door is glass). I’ve never seen anyone use the chair. But then again I have only confessed a handful of times.

I confessed face to face once at another parish when I made an appointment. I thought the priest would be waiting behind the screen in the room, but I waited and waited, no priest. I walked out to the church and saw him sitting in the back. So we just went into the cry room to confess.

I see some posters saying that their church only offers face to face Confession. I believe that for Roman Catholics there must be an option of anonymous confession with a screen or some other barrier. So you might want to bring that up to your priest.
 
centurionguard said:
Both Confessional Box and Face to Face is fine. My only critique is that the option of face to face offers a more sedate peaceful place set apart with respect to both the priest as much as the sinner seeking the sacrament of reconciliation. I dislike other parishioners pressing in at a distance of an earshot of what is being spoken in private.
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^^ This!

My parish is a large Dominican shrine in a large city, so privacy is hard to come by inside the Nave, outside of an actual confessional. Furthermore, our confessionals actually have the name of the confessor on the door, so when I go into the confessional I actually say “Hey Fr. Felix, it’s me Samuel.” If for some reason I have a pressing sin begging for absolution I make an appointment to see my priest in his office.
 
I prefer the confessional and/or behind the screen no matter if I know the priest or not. I like the anonymity.
 
I’ll do face to face if I absolutely have to, but I have a total preference for the confessional. There’s something about the feel of a big old dark confessional and it’s anonymity that always put’s me in the right frame of mind. Face to face tends to be inhibiting at times.
 
i prefer to confess inside the box or at least with a screen. BUT if I were to confess to a priest face to face, i’d rather he LOOK at me rather than close his eyes while talking to me.
 
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