Have you confessed face-to-face?

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I go face to face because I have asked him to be my regular confessor, and how could he be sure it’s me behind the screen?

Sorbetto - I would suggest setting an appointment for your first confession in many years - and ask for help if you need it. There’s a LOT less stress if you have an appointment - you don’t feel like you have to rush if there’s a line of people. This way, you ensure that you get it ALL out and leave nothing for you to doubt later. “I left out this… oh man, should I go back, was it valid??” Save yourself the doubt!

In March, I made my first confession in 20 years, and made it face to face. The next time I went, I went to the same priest, but in the confessional behind the screen - I found I was too focused on whether or not he could hear me, whether or not people outside the confessional could hear me, whether or not I was saying everything I came in to say and on and on!

I go face to face now. I believe it’s easier, he knows it’s me, I’m comfortable because I know it’s him and I don’t have to worry about my volume!

=)
Kat
 
I think face to face is fine if your situation is complex enough that it requires a “talk” with the Priest. That is, I only do it when I request confession at a different time. I think the traditional way is very appropriate and tends to be more pastorally kind to other penitents. Going face to face, for me at least, leads to tangents and longer discussions, and this takes time away from the other penitants.
 
All my confessions have been face to face since I came into the Church in 2001. Like others, my spiritual director is my confessor most of the time, so it kind of keeps things together. I also like having his hand on my head during absolution (man you feel the Spirit move then), though he doesn’t always do this.
 
I tend to do screened confession, but i have nothing against face to face. it is the best for a "full confession."what i mena by that is though you alwys tell everything, sometimes you are doing a “maintainence” confession where you have done a specific thing and you need that thing forgiven which will often blind you to remembering some of your minor sins. this is as opposed to a “full confession” where you are talking not only of your sins but also your general faults and weaknesses, you also spend more time preparing for these and they are planned not spontanious.
 
I am a new Catholic, I’ve been to confession 4 times so far. All 4 times were face to face screened would feel akward. First time was in an office second a storage room last 2 in the confessional. After 1st time now I don’t think there would be anything to hard to confess face to face.
 
Yes I have. When I converted 10 years ago, I was told to try confession both ways, which I did. I prefer to go behind the screen because I think I can focus better. I belong to a different Parish now that has the original-type confessional so it’s always behind the screen. Upon request though you can go face to face. By the way, there is no excuse not to go to confession as they have it before every Mass:D !!
 
If the Priest is old, I like face -to-face.

Down here the confessionals are hot, so the old priest uses a chair in the baby cr room or by the front door.

In my opinion, I think the face-to-face confession is better for your soul, it is humbling.
 
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Elliott:
I am a new Catholic, I’ve been to confession 4 times so far. All 4 times were face to face screened would feel akward.
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When I converted, the first half dozen times I went face to face. It was good because the priest could then help me learn the ropes. As time went on, I found that going face to face caused me to be overly scrupulous and caused me and the priest to get in more involved discussions on what was/wasn’t a sin. Since then, if I’m going to a normal Sat. afternoon confession, I always go behind the screen. If I need more discussion/guidance, I make an appointment and go face to face at Father’s office.
 
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Patchunky:
Sure, I do it all the time.:yup:

You go to the priest in front of the Ikon of Christ the Teacher, confess your sins, receive absolution and you’re done. It’s simple…:yup:

What’s the big deal??:hmmm:
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Do you know anything about the EO? Is the protocol the same for the EO? I understand that it is fairly rare for them?
 
I voted YES!

Father knows my voice anyway, and I feel like I’m “hiding” when I’m behind the screen.

I’m still kinda new to the Sacraments and, although I pray that God will help me recognize my sins, Fr. just knows how to ask the right questions that further helps me. His advice and counsel are always RIGHT ON THE MARK 👍
 
All through RCIA they told us that during confession we’re behind a screen - it’s not so scary since the Priest can’t see us. So it’s retreat time & we’re all going to make our first confessions and I wait my turn & walk into the little room and there’s the Priest sitting on the couch. Creepy. It was a visiting Priest I had never met. I’m not comfortable talking to someone I don’t even know about the most intimate details of my past who’s sitting two feet from me staring at me. I hated it like crazy and could not WAIT to get out of there. 😦
 
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st_felicity:
I always confess face to face…I have the option of the other way, but I am there to face my sin and repent…Personally, I find it makes me even more humble and introspective and honest with myself so that I can be more exposed to my God and receive His graces. I know the other way is just as fine…it’s just how I do it.
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I always confess face to face. Besides there are only 3-4 folks who ever show up:( We love our Priest very much (my wife and I) and he is a very holy man full of the Spirit. He always greets us with a warm smile and makes us feel like we are in a santuary. I also feel humbled face to face and contrite. I think it has established trust between father and us more than anything. I am grateful to have such a holy priest to confess to.
 
I always go face to face since I have variable hearing loss, and I still at times have trouble even face-to-face (i.e. if the priest mumbles, covers his mouth while talking or looks down while talking). In fact, the last time I went to behind the screen was at the new Shrine in Hanceville associated with EWTN (which by the way is gorgeous:yup: ) where it was the only option, and the priest got upset with me because I had so much trouble hearing him. :o . So that is why, but I can understand why others may prefer the screen. Thanks and God Bless.
 
My 1st confession was face-to-face. My 2nd confession 10 years later was face-to-face. Since then I’ve made 4 more face-to-face confessions. The first three were tough to make, the last three were easier.
 
Sure.
My priest knows me, anyway, and I can’t get my wheelchair behind the little wall.
 
I do when i ask a priest individually for confession. At that point he already knows who i am so no reason not to just look him in the eye.
 
The three churches I regularly attend are very traditional (architecture) so there is no face to face option. Although, one has a “Reconcilliation Room” with a screen/kneeler and a chair, but everytime I’ve been in there, the priest has placed somthing in the chair, so face to face is clearly not his desire.

The only time I go face to face is about once a month when I meet with my spritual director.

Isn’t it wonderful that our Church gives us the option of either? :yup:
 
I like face to face with priests I know. Behind the curtain with those I don’t.
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RonWI:
I bet this will surprise you. Lutherans actually practice private confession.
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This suprised me when I researched my wife’s church several months ago. It suprised her too. She was under the impression that confession was another one of the “add-ons” by men of the Catholic Church in the middle ages.

Is it widely practiced in the Lutheran church? Do you go? I don’t see confession times posted in her church bulletin. Just curious.

I apologize for being off topic…this could be another thread…
 
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spanky:
I like face to face with priests I know. Behind the curtain with those I don’t.

This suprised me when I researched my wife’s church several months ago. It suprised her too. She was under the impression that confession was another one of the “add-ons” by men of the Catholic Church in the middle ages.

Is it widely practiced in the Lutheran church? Do you go? I don’t see confession times posted in her church bulletin. Just curious.

I apologize for being off topic…this could be another thread…
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My old Lutheran Pastor (Misouri Synod) would hear confessions upon request. He said it wasn’t an everyday sort of thing but occasionally he’d have someone request. He agreed it was Biblical.

According to him, 1/2 of our members were former Catholics. Many also still made the sign of the cross.
 
I’ve never done it any other way! I actually prefer the more intimate face to face confession over a private one. I feel like it is more real for me. I also happen to be a pretty open person, so this way I really have to face the facts!
 
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