I have a friend

[CarloMagnus]

So some weeks ago, a friend of mine went to a priest for confession. We’re both puzzled by it, but considering that the priests was never exactly clear on what was going on, it seems like a moot thing on whether it was a confession or not; regarding that the priest was, well, uncharitable, so my friend says.

He told me that he was telling the priests his confession, but the priest kept looking at his watch, as if it was all a waste of time. Maybe my friend was overreacting, or maybe he saw it wrongly.

From what I’ve managed to gather on here, perhaps another opinion might ease my friend’s distress.

I’m a little doubtful of the tale, but I haven’t gone to confession in ages. My own experiences with these clerics have not been a happy experience. That’s besides the point; since I promised my friend I’d get to the bottom of it.

Please leave a comment for him to read.

-Karl

 

[Leon_Bloy]

So some weeks ago, a friend of mine went to a priest for confession. We’re both puzzled by it, but considering that the priests was never exactly clear on what was going on, it seems like a moot thing on whether it was a confession or not; regarding that the priest was, well, uncharitable, so my friend says.

He told me that he was telling the priests his confession, but the priest kept looking at his watch, as if it was all a waste of time. Maybe my friend was overreacting, or maybe he saw it wrongly.

From what I’ve managed to gather on here, perhaps another opinion might ease my friend’s distress.

I’m a little doubtful of the tale, but I haven’t gone to confession in ages. My own experiences with these clerics have not been a happy experience. That’s besides the point; since I promised my friend I’d get to the bottom of it.

Please leave a comment for him to read.

-Karl

Remember that the priest is supposed to stand in the place of Jesus in the confessional, to be the hands and ears and mouth of the Lord for the penitent, and of course everybody is going to fall very short of that task.

Unfortunately there are priests who are prone to all the human failings of distraction, impatience, etc. etc. We can’t let that affect our faith. Jesus is there.

Perhaps the priest was worried that there might be more people in line for confession, and he had to say mass ten minutes later. Who knows. I have had this happen and so I just try to close my eyes while I confess.

Don’t let it keep you or your friend away. Try going to another place for confession. Try making an appointment, or try going behind the screen (sounds like this was face-to-face if the priest was looking at his watch).

 

[newyorkcatholic]

Don’t take it personally. Priests are human beings, there are all sorts from horrible sinners to great saints.

We go to confession to receive forgiveness from Jesus through the absolution of a perfect priest.

Your friend (and you!) should keep going, you’ll find a good priest to confess to.

 

[Splagchnizomai]

Let’s get this straight. Your friend confessed his sins, said an act of contrition, received absolution, and was assigned a penance, right?

And he’s upset by what he perceives as a personal slight to him?

I’d recommend that he pray the Litany of Humility.

O Jesus! meek and humble of heart, Hear me.
From the desire of being esteemed,
Deliver me, Jesus.

From the desire of being loved…
From the desire of being extolled …
From the desire of being honored …
From the desire of being praised …
From the desire of being preferred to others…
From the desire of being consulted …
From the desire of being approved …
From the fear of being humiliated …
From the fear of being despised…
From the fear of suffering rebukes …
From the fear of being calumniated …
From the fear of being forgotten …
From the fear of being ridiculed …
From the fear of being wronged …
From the fear of being suspected …

That others may be loved more than I,
Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.

That others may be esteemed more than I …
That, in the opinion of the world,
others may increase and I may decrease …
That others may be chosen and I set aside …
That others may be praised and I unnoticed …
That others may be preferred to me in everything…
That others may become holier than I, provided that I may become as holy as I should…

Perhaps he could also offer this priest-confessor a spritual bouquet.

 

[PennyinCanada]

In charity, try to imagine that the priest was having some intestinal discomfort and really was needing to run to the bathroom. It can happen. Rejoice in that the absolution was given and realize that the enemy wishes to find a way to make us grumble at priests. Don’t let him win this round! Have a blessed Easter.

 

[PennyinCanada]

Let’s get this straight. Your friend confessed his sins, said an act of contrition, received absolution, and was assigned a penance, right?

And he’s upset by what he perceives as a personal slight to him?

I’d recommend that he pray the Litany of Humility.

O Jesus! meek and humble of heart, Hear me.
From the desire of being esteemed,
Deliver me, Jesus.

From the desire of being loved…
From the desire of being extolled …
From the desire of being honored …
From the desire of being praised …
From the desire of being preferred to others…
From the desire of being consulted …
From the desire of being approved …
From the fear of being humiliated …
From the fear of being despised…
From the fear of suffering rebukes …
From the fear of being calumniated …
From the fear of being forgotten …
From the fear of being ridiculed …
From the fear of being wronged …
From the fear of being suspected …

That others may be loved more than I,
Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.

That others may be esteemed more than I …
That, in the opinion of the world,
others may increase and I may decrease …
That others may be chosen and I set aside …
That others may be praised and I unnoticed …
That others may be preferred to me in everything…
That others may become holier than I, provided that I may become as holy as I should…

Perhaps he could also offer this priest-confessor a spritual bouquet.

Thank you. That’s a wonderful remedy for many things!
To say that every day during Lent would have been a good thing. Still can.

 

[Splagchnizomai]

Thank you. That’s a wonderful remedy for many things!
To say that every day during Lent would have been a good thing. Still can.

You’re welcome!

I first learned about this from a priest in his homily. He said that the Lord loves to say Yes to this litany.