Impatience in confession

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While I was waiting in the row of the confessionary I begun to think that people were thinking they were psychoanalizing and thought that the priest maybe is taking Reconciliation as a psychoanalitic session. The priest is a little unorthodox so it was easy for me to think that, because they were taking too long to confess, and I saw the people “talking” with the priest and crying. Did I do something wrong? Thinking impatiently that the priest was taking it maybe like a psychoanalist?
Thank you.
 
I shudder to think how you saw that some people were talking to the priest and some were crying. 😊 Now I’m really glad that our church has an old fashioned room with a door that you shut so no one can see me crying as I make my confession - it’s hard enough coming out knowing there is a line of people and all the others who are at Mass who might be looking at you.
 
It’s a classic wooden confessionary and people kneels on the outside so you can see them.
It’s not a closed room.
 
gfvh said:
While I was waiting in the row of the confessionary I begun to think that people were thinking they were psychoanalizing and thought that the priest maybe is taking Reconciliation as a psychoanalitic session. The priest is a little unorthodox so it was easy for me to think that, because they were taking too long to confess, and I saw the people “talking” with the priest and crying. Did I do something wrong? Thinking impatiently that the priest was taking it maybe like a psychoanalist?
Thank you.
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Is there anything which says a confession needs to be as short as possible, especially limited to the kind and number of mortal sins?
 
No, I know it was a mistake of my part. Even when the people cryed I sort of repented of being so impatient. I was impatient because it happened to me that either I could not confess because the mass ended or I could not receive communion because it was too late after I confessed. But, nevertheless, I wanted to know if thinking that the priest was maybe acting as a psychoanalist was sinful. I don’t think so, but I had the doubt. Mainly because I received communion with the doubt. But that is something I can do, I read somewhere, since I’m sort of scrupulous. And maybe as the confessor is filled with the Holy Spirit I thought it could be sinful to think that.
 
chevalier said:
Is there anything which says a confession needs to be as short as possible, especially limited to the kind and number of mortal sins?
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If it takes a long time for a complete, truthful confession, so be it.

Having said that, however, there are way too many of both priests and laity that treat it like talk therapy. Such people should rather find a spiritual adviser if they are going to do that rather than in confession, imo.
 
gfvh said:
While I was waiting in the row of the confessionary I begun to think that people were thinking they were psychoanalizing and thought that the priest maybe is taking Reconciliation as a psychoanalitic session. The priest is a little unorthodox so it was easy for me to think that, because they were taking too long to confess, and I saw the people “talking” with the priest and crying. Did I do something wrong? Thinking impatiently that the priest was taking it maybe like a psychoanalist?
Thank you.
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You allowed your impatience to take you into being judgmental. Yesterday was one of the FEW confessions I’ve ever done when I did NOT cry. Who are you to decide how long someone ought to take when they are confessing? No, they are not psychoanalysis sessions. The priest is there in Persona Christi, and no one ever accused Jesus of being a psychologist. I understand that you were selfishly afraid that YOU would not get to confess, but maybe if this happens again, you can say a prayer for that person, or those people. You have absolutely NO IDEA what extreme circumstances they might be experiencing, or how they need God’s mercy at that moment.

Edited: Oh, I see now - you were asking whether thinking of the priest in that way was a sin. You have scruples. If it was a sin, it would have been venial, so your confession would have covered it, or the general confession within the Mass. Talk about your impatience with your spiritual advisor. Anyone with scruples should have a regular confessor and/or a spiritual advisor. You need it.
 
gfvh said:
I’m sorry if that offended you TheRealJulianne.
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It didn’t offend me. I just want you to understand that your own impatience has colored your perspective. I struggle with impatience myself, so I am not offended.
 
gfvh said:
While I was waiting in the row of the confessionary I begun to think that people were thinking they were psychoanalizing and thought that the priest maybe is taking Reconciliation as a psychoanalitic session. The priest is a little unorthodox so it was easy for me to think that, because they were taking too long to confess, and I saw the people “talking” with the priest and crying. Did I do something wrong? Thinking impatiently that the priest was taking it maybe like a psychoanalist?
Thank you.
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I think you experienced this for a reason and hopefully, it has opened your heart. Each person is different, each confession is different. Try to let go of the way you think confession should be. Instead, as you wait your turn, pray for the priest and the people confessing ahead of you.
 
I almost always cry when I confess. How can you not get emotional?
 
I’m really sorry for all the people saying they cry in the confessional. I never cried so I thought wrongly they were telling their problems, which is not bad but I thought maybe it was not the place, again I am maybe wrong. I’m so sorry I was impatient. I am also scrupulous and I wonder if I really sinned doing so, that is the reason why I posted that. Excuse me if you feel that I worry only about me. Besides, I am sort of “new” in Catholicism. I am baptized but I was never a practicing catholic. So I worry at each step if I do something wrong. Again, excuse me.
 
gfvh said:
I am sort of “new” in Catholicism. I am baptized but I was never a practicing catholic. So I worry at each step if I do something wrong.
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If you are striving to “step” well, learning about the faith and putting it into practice as you learn, do not worry so much. God isn’t trying to trick or trap you, God is trying to save you. 🙂
TheRealJuliane said:
Anyone with scruples should have a regular confessor and/or a spiritual advisor. You need it.
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This too.
 
Thanks for the advices, I will seek a spiritual director. Many people told me so, so I will do it.
Only that I do not trust many of the priest I found until now. I was adviced by a priest that gave me general directions about how to act with my scruples, but he was transferred to another parish, and I follow those general directions he gave me.
 
detoutcoeur said:
Do you mean that you’re in the RCIA program?
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No. I am from Argentina, you know, a catholic country. Everyone here is baptized, and took the First Communion and Confirmation. But seldom are practising catholic.
 
gfvh said:
No. I am from Argentina, you know, a catholic country. Everyone here is baptized, and took the First Communion and Confirmation.
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Thank you for explaining; I was puzzled.
aspirant said:
If you are striving to “step” well, learning about the faith and putting it into practice as you learn, do not worry so much. God isn’t trying to trick or trap you, God is trying to save you.🙂
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I agree with this, and hope you’ll look for a spiritual director or confessor who can help you with scrupulosity.
gfvh said:
But seldom are practising catholic.
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Let us pray that with the example of Pope Francis, that will change. 🙂
 
There was a little of efervescence here with the election of Pope Francis. I really hope it goes beyond that.
 
gfvh said:
There was a little of efervescence here with the election of Pope Francis. I really hope it goes beyond that.
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I hope so too! I have come to call what you experience there in Argentina, “cultural Catholicism.” It means that you grow up going through the motions, getting your sacraments, etc. but with no real LIFE in your faith. It is just something that everyone does, but that doesn’t really inform your life outside of church. You know that you have to marry in a Catholic Church, but that’s about it as far as living what the Church teaches. Mexico is similar. Some are devout, but most are so weak in their faith that when they come to the US, and the evangelical Christians recruit them, they leave the Church altogether. 😦
 
Yes, here are too many evangelical churches too. They “rob” people to the Catholic Church.
The faith was stronger though, not so many years ago. Nowadays there is like an increase in agnosticism and atheism, I don’t know why. Maybe due to internet. Since 2000 approximately there is like a trend against morals and Catholicism in particular, at least I sense that. That message comes mainly from the media.

Of course about Cultural Catholicism, it is like you say. But today, it is less and less cultural.
Like the people don’t care anymore. But since the election of the Pope there was like a resurgence, or at least an enthusiasm about it.
 
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