Help with the sacrament of reconciliation

[Genesis12345]

I still do not agree with the references that you supplied. I was formerally in the seminary and we we NEVER taught that. If something becomes a habit, than, they need counseling, or if they cannot afford it, the person will be absolved. You have to remember that priests (most) are not psychologists, un less you go to a Jesuit priest who have MD’s, Psychiatrists, etc. They are a very well educated Order. When I was in the seminary, we didin’t take that many psy courses, but as I said, I NEVER had to mention the number of sins–that is outdated.

Sorry, but I just do not accept that reference. It is fine, if people want to use it.

But I was not you telll the priest want is on your mind, and not make a list of your sins.

I did re-read the reference, and I personally, would not follow it.

Thank you.

 

[GratefulDad]

I still do not agree with the references that you supplied. I was formerly in the seminary and we we NEVER taught that. If something becomes a habit, than, they need counseling, or if they cannot afford it, the person will be absolved. You have to remember that priests (most) are not psychologists, un less you go to a Jesuit priest who have MD’s, Psychiatrists, etc. They are a very well educated Order. When I was in the seminary, we didin’t take that many psy courses, but as I said, I NEVER had to mention the number of sins–that is outdated.

Sorry, but I just do not accept that reference. It is fine, if people want to use it.

But I was not you telll the priest want is on your mind, and not make a list of your sins.

I did re-read the reference, and I personally, would not follow it.

Thank you.

I certainly am not saying this is the ONLY way for a valid confession. However as a former seminarian you say “I just do not accept that reference”. So are you saying this is false and totally wrong?

Also check this from, Our Lady of Fatima:

Our Lady appeared to Jacinta several times between December 1919 and February 1920. Our Lady told her many things including:

"The sins of the world are very great … If men only knew what eternity is, they would do everything in their power to change their lives.”

"You must pray much for sinners and priests and religious.”

"Priests must be pure, very pure. They should not busy themselves with anything except what concerns the Church and souls. The disobedience of priests and religious to their superiors and to the Holy Father gravely displeases Our Lord.”

"Fly from riches and luxury; love poverty and silence; have charity, even for bad people.”

"More souls go to Hell because of sins of the flesh than for any other reason.”

"Confession is a sacrament of mercy and we must confess with joy and trust.”

 

[Genesis12345]

I was implication that there are numerous ways of going to confession.

You have to be careful in what you receive in the mail about Fatima, because there is a priest who got into trouble, I will not mention his name, but the bishops went against his teaching.

Usually if you are sent a book on Fatima, see if inside the cover it has Imprimatur and Nihil Obstat and see if it has a bishop’s name. If it does, it is merely saying that this book is approved and finds nothing wrong with it. Mkae sure that you see these two names inside the cover: IMPRIMATUR AND NIHIL OBSTAT which means it is in standard according to the true church.
I received information from a group of Franciscans, and they call themselves monks, and they are not even CATHOLIC. They go totally against the Catholic Church. I do not even know why they exist. Thery go against the Pope, bishops, priests, etc.

So, do what you think is best.

If you can find a kind compassionate priest, usually look for one at a monastery or a retreat house because they are excellent spiritual directors. Please be apprised that my comments were not to be offensive in any way.
God bless you. A very powerful devotion is to the Divine Mercy.
Be at peace and God will take care of you because He created You and he has unconditinal love for all of us.

 

[jmcrae]

I find that if I make a “feelings” Confession without indicating what my sins actually were, or saying how many times I did this or that, the priest says nothing, but gives the Absolution - but if I follow the system given in Grateful Dad’s post, the priest will always say, “Thank God that you have made a good Confession,” and then he will proceed with the Absolution.

Priests do notice the difference.

 

[Genesis12345]

I AM CONFUSED WHEN YOU SAY YOU MAKE A " FEELINGS CONFESSION." I NEVER HEARD OF SUCH A CONFESSION.
AND YOU SAY WITHOUT INDICATING MY SINS ACTUALLY WERE OR HOW MANY TIMES. TO ME THIS SOUNDS LIKE A GENERIC CONFESSION WHICH IS VALID AND AS I HAVE TOLD THE VIEWERS NUMEROUS TIMES, THE PRIEST IS QUALIFIED AND IF HE GAVE YOU ABSOLUTION YOU ARE FORGIVEN!!! YOU HAVE NOTHING TO WORRY ABOUT. THE PRIEST KNOWS WHAT HE IS DOING. CAN YOU EXPLAIN WHAT A " FEELINGS CONFESSION" IS?
PERHAPS YOU ARE SCRUPULOUS AND THIS IS WHY YOU DO NOT HAVE TO MENTION YOUR SINS. I DO NOT KNOW YOU PERSONALLY, BUT TO ME, IT SEEMS LIKE SCRUPULOSITY. YES, IT IS CALLED A GENERIC CONFESSION WITHOUT GOING INTO DETAILS. AGAIN, IF YOU ARE SCRUPULOUS, THE PRIEST KNOWS THIS AND HAS ACCEPTED YOUR CONFESSION. DO NOT WORRY ABOUT IT–HE HAS ABSOLVED YOU AND THE BURDEN LIES ON HIS SHOULDER. WHEN YOU ARE IN THE CONFESSIONAL, CHRIST IS THERE WAITING FOR YOUR FORGIVENESS AND HE IS THERE WITH HIS MERCIES. IF YOU DO NOT MIND RESPONDING TO THIS, WILL YOU TELL ME WHAT A “FEELINGS CONFESSION” IS AND COULD YOU MENTION YOUR AGE AND IF THE PRIEST EVER INDICATD THAT YOU ARE SCRUPULOUS. THANK YOU AND DO NOT WORRY, ONCE THE PRIEST GIVES YOU ABSOLUTION, ALL OF YOUR SINS ARE FORGIVEN EVEN THOSE OF YOUR PAST CONFESSIONS. I AM TRYING TO HELP YOU BECAUSE I WAS STUDYING FOR THE PRIESTHOOD. IF YOU NEED MORE INFORMATION AND DO NOT WANT IT EXPOSED TO THE PUBLIC CONTACT ME AT: chasrose099@Yahoo.com.

 

[jmcrae]

I AM CONFUSED WHEN YOU SAY YOU MAKE A " FEELINGS CONFESSION." I NEVER HEARD OF SUCH A CONFESSION.

Like, if I say, “I was angry,” or “I was jealous” but I don’t specify what I did with these feelings that was sinful.

Some penitents (only a few) forget that sin is an act and not a state, so they show (or they believe to show) the color of their souls by saying: “I am a liar; I am impatient; etc…” This way of expressing is improper. Saying it like this you indicate a tendency of your soul. But confession is not a statement of your tendencies: It is the accusation of precise actions, which are certainly the results of your tendencies, but different from them as the fruits differ from the tree. You can have a tendency to lie ( be a liar ) and have not told lies for the last two weeks since your last confession. If you have lied, you must say: “I have lied” and not: “I am a liar.” - from The Art of Confession, by Father Henri Chery, O.P., translated by Father Laurent Demets, FSSP

“Now comes maybe the most practical remark. You still have to tell your sins with their own reasons and circumstances. “I have lied!” This signifies nothing. Psalm 115 says: Omnis homo mendax – every man is a liar. In what way did you lie? To whom? In what circumstances? Why?
“I have lied to a sick friend who expected my visit, because it annoyed me to do it.” This is a lie with a particular quality. “ I have lied in a salon by claiming that I have some relations which actually I don’t have; I have lied to my superiors in order to obtain a day off which I was not entitled to; I deceived a customer about the quality of my work in order to be paid more…” The simple confession “I have lied” would not give a precise idea of the quality of your sin.” - from The Art of Confession, by Father Henri Chery, O.P., translated by Father Laurent Demets, FSSP

 

[Genesis12345]

I do not uderstand some of the answers that are given by people, even priests.

If you lied, than you lied. I told you before that the priest is trained in matters of confession. If he wants to know what you lied about he will ask you.

Don’t worry about it because you are going to become scrupulous.
I have told you more than once, the responsibility rests on the priest. He is representing Christ and the Holy Spirit and ifhe wants to know any particulars, he will ask you. Do not let the burden fall on your shoulders.
“Commit to the Lord your way; trust in Him, and He will act.”
Psalm 37:5
“Thus says the Lord God: I myself will look after and tend my sheep.” Ezekiel 34:11
God is waiting for you in the confessional to give you His graces and forgiveness. You should never bring up a sin that you already confessed because when you confess your sins, they are forgiven and forgotten. Those sins do not exist any more!!!