Good and Bad Confession Experiences

[Elizabeth502]

I don’t remember what my penance was, but I do know that on that cold winter evening, I felt the weight of the world lift from my shoulders and the sensation of being wrapped in a warm blanket of forgiveness. It was awesome.

^^ = Also a beautiful reflection.

 

[Sillara]

Ah, I only WISH I could go to Confession more often! Right now I have a new baby, and it is hard to time Confession when I can give the baby to Daddy. (Daddy (Numinous from these boards) is often a lector, as well as being the 7th-grade catechist. I have a one and half year old as well, so I have to make sure that someone has both of the babies.) I love Confession! It is not easy, especially when I feel like I am always confessing the same sins. But going to Confession is wonderful! I am so grateful for that sacrament.

 

[Elizabeth502]

My good confession was one I referred to in the earlier thread, “Honesty in the Confessional.”

My bad confession was so bad that you might not believe the entire thing if I posted it publicly. But I will reveal that the priest could not have been listening to my sins, as he was way more intent on proposing – yes, proposing – to me. In fact, I don’t believe he gave me either absolution or a penance, and I left in a state of shock. And it gets way, way more earthy than that.


(Oh, and I also left the church for about 4 years – which may not be surprising, considering.)

 

[dontknow]

Bad - about 35 years ago - in Elementary School, the priest told me I was “doing it wrong”. I was so scared I didn’t know what to do at that age.

That left such an impression on me it’s been very difficult to go routinely, although I did about 3 years ago. It wasn’t bad nor was it very good. I got interrogated in why I waited so long and should go weekly. That is proper information but the manner in which it was presented once again brought up my defense mechanisms.

Must try again as it’s ultimately my responsibility and the right thing to do.

 

[barb_finnegan]

I remember going to confession as a kid-my heart would go THUMP when my mother would say to me and my two sisters, 'You’re going to confession today." There were some priests in the parish we were going at the time that used to scare me to death-one in particular had a loud deep voice that would knock your socks off!

But when I got older and could go on my own, I had some wonderful priests to go to confession to. There was one that I went to the day after I found out my father was terminally ill with cancer. I always went face to face with this priest, so I ended up crying on his shoulder when I gave him the news about my dad. He’d always end my confessions with ‘hang in there, lady’ after giving me absolution. And so when I calmed down a little, I said to him, 'I’m sorry if I got your sweater wet", and he replied with a grin, “Don’t worry-it’ll come out in the wash!”

Another great confessor was at EWTN when I visited the first time in 1999. (He’s not with the Franciscans of the Eternal Word anymore, but is a diocesan priest in Birmingham-in fact, in the parish at Irondale, where the studios are!) This priest was so wonderful in confession-I felt like he understood me! When I came out, I felt like I was walking on air!

I’ve also gone to confession to priests of FSSP-that is, when they used to come to Upstate NY for the TLM . When I had the chance to go to confession to any of them, they were outstanding, too!

Right now, it’s hard for me to find a good, steady confessor. It seems that whenever I find a good one, they always get transferred or have more responsibilities placed on them! [that sucks]

 

[SacredHeartFan]

the worst confession I ever had was when I was really nervous adn i got in “the box” got everything out and then i heard the door open and close and the priest said I can start confessing!!!

 

[mhuff1]

The best confession that I’ve had was just recently last month, after returning from a 10 year hiatus from my faith and the church. I made an appt with the priest at a local church here that I had been sitting in on my lunch hour for a few weeks, as I was feeling the need sit in a quiet church to pray.

I had gotten good ideas on how to make a good confession from several people on this site, so I went prepared with a list of sins from the past 10+ years.

I started out by explaining my situation and what it took me to get to sitting in front of him that very moment. Then I pulled out the list and explained that I wanted to make a good confesison so I brought a list.
Before I even finished reading #1, tears came to my eyes. So, I ran down the list and he listened patiently through all of it. Like some of you here, I was surprised that he didn’t fall out of his chair!
Once finished with my list and in tears, he asked me about me…
He asked me about where I came from, my old church, and what made me return, and how I got there.
He was genuinely interested in me and what I had been through.
I knew right then that I chose the right parish to be a part of.

After hearing my story and giving me absolution, my only penance was to pray for those that struggle with returning to their faith as I had. To this day I continue to do that.
I left that Confession feeling better than I had in years, like a huge weight had just been lifted off my shoulders. Like God took that weight off of my shoulders so I no longer had to bear it.
And I also walked out with the parish welcome package and registered within the next week!

 

[John_Russell_Jr]

Yes, they are! The priest who came to our city for confessions and recollections for about 15 years was so great! He had a great memory for who you were, and was so filled with optimism that even if you murdered your mother, he would leave you with a reason for hope.

We have a new one now, and the Holy Spirit seems to sit on his shoulder. I’m just nuts about football (yes, I’m female!), and one September day I was making my confession (incidentally with no discussion of sports at all), and he made a football analogy! Right out of the blue with one of the ladies! So cool…

Lately, I’ve been going regularly to a priest who is not in Opus Dei, but receives formation from them. Outside of a very holy priest I knew years ago, who is now a bishop, he is the only diocesan priest I’ve met who really “gets it” and “gets” me. He uses words like “detachment” and “mortification,” and I am so thrilled. And he’s really young, too, so there are lots of years ahead for people to benefit from him.

Betsy

Good for you Betsy. keep the faith:thumbsup: