Do you prefer the confessional or face to face?

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It depends how you grew up within the tradition of your local Church. I am a Greek Orthodox Christian who had practiced the way of the screen and while I find this approach as quick I accepted it into my life and grew to like it. I often went to the Catholic Church for confessions as the Orthodox Church was not present yet in the city. I find Catholic priests that I went to for confession very well informed and understanding which can be a great asset when anyone goes to confession. It is always good to pray to God for you to be sent to an understanding and compassionate priest for this can be your greatest consolation. I often felt it was good to be with the same priest for he can understand you better through your spritual growth. It is much like when someone needs to go to a doctor who is only a clinic doctor. This doctor does not know you personally as does your family doctor and once when I did go to a walk in clinic this doctor told me to follow up with your condition soon with your family doctor. I often find sticking with the same priest is the same as going to your family doctor.

When the Orthodox Church got established here I find myself going to Confession in a different approach by going face to face. I also enjoyed this approach as well for I find when you go face to face alot more can be said and discussed. Yet I find either way can be all right depending on your interests and God can give absolution and His consolation in both standings. His Mercy is always available through His representatives.
 
Face to face. Can’t hide behind a screen when I come face to face with God on judgement day so no point doing it now.
 
I am hard of hearing and it’s easier to hear in face to face.
 
I’ve been Catholic for about nine months now. My first confession, I chose a specific priest (our parish has three) because I was really nervous and the other two have strong accents and I was afraid I wouldn’t be able to understand them. 🙂 Our parish has two confessionals with only screens and then two others that have screens or the option to walk around for face-to-face.

The priest I chose that night was in a screen-only confessional. So, I’ve just continued with that.

Also, being so weak, I’m afraid that if I go face-to-face I’ll skip over some of my sins and then have to come back and admit that. So, I like the screen and I figure the less obstacles to go to confession the better.

Of course, either way is perfectly acceptable or the church wouldn’t allow it. 🙂
 
I went to confession a few days ago at my parish before a weekday Mass. Because it is getting close to Christmas, there were more people in line than usual. We have a confessional (well lit) with no provision for face-to-face.

As it turned out, as the line grew longer, another priest came out and put a chair next to the altar rail, where a penitent could kneel right next to him, practically in his face, much closer than in the confessional, and without an actual screen.

But there was still anonymity. The priest looked down or directly ahead, not at the penitent, and spoke so softly compared to when in the confessional that I had to lean in even closer to hear. It was as if there were an invisible screen between us. Confession, absolution, say your penance and act of contrition in the pew. Done.

The line moved quickly. Going face to face didn’t mean having a conversation. People just want their sins forgiven. And everybody got to confession before Mass.

It will be like this until Christmas.
 
I used to go to confession only in the confessional because I had the idea that the priest would always remember what sins I confessed whenever he saw me. I was really embarrassed with that idea. One day, I asked our pastor about that. He said it God’s grace that he simply did not connect any sins heard with the person who confessed (when it was face to face). That settled the question and now it doesn’t bother me whichever way.
 
I wish there had been a survey with this question. I think most of us older Catholics still use the confessional because it’s what we started with. But younger Catholics like my sons have only done face-to-face, so that is what they prefer. Would be curious to see an age breakdown like:

I prefer face to face. I am: 20-30, 30-40, 40-50, over 50
I prefer the confessional. I am: 20-30, 30-40, 40-50, over 50
 
I prefer the confessional, although I have done face-to-face with priests I didn’t know and felt ok with that. I don’t usually like face-to-face because almost all of the times I’ve done this (with the exception of my first penance and when I’m in a confessional that gives you the option of face-to-face or behind the screen) you are out in the pews. Everyone can see you while you are saying your confession even if you may be far apart and even when the people waiting are doing their best not to look or hear you. It’s a little awkward when you see a person crying, then I become a bit self-conscious, wondering if there are others who might accidentally catch a glimpse of me should I become very upset. I just like a little more privacy and time for composure, if needed, before going back out into public.
 
I prefer it face-to-face. It’s more personal. My best confession ever was face-to-face. It was with a Benedictine Priest at this little music room (I was at a seminary and they were holding confessions for the visitors), and when I came in we were making jokes about the instruments and it was a really amazing experience. I loved it even though I confessed two sins that I did not like confessing, and he was totally okay with it. He didn’t even talk about them, really, he talked about the other sin that I thought wasn’t as bad.
 
Rmac81 said:
…So, I like the screen and I figure** the less obstacles to go to confession the better.**

…)
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That’s a good point - whether one prefers face-to-face or the screen, the main thing is to remove any perception of obstacles.
 
My church only has “the box.” Right now I’m recovering from knee and back injuries, and can’t physically use the confessional. I explained this to Father, we moved into two adjacent pews near the booth in the nave, he sat perpendicularly to me, and heard my confession. It was okay, but I think my preference will always be anonymous confession.
 
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