Just Another Confession Thread - No Penance

[Oneofthewomen]

Just a thought…
sometimes the hardest “penance” is accepting God’s mercy for what it is, a divine gift, given out of His love for us, not for what we can do for Him.

 

[joanofarc2008]

I once entered the Confessional to confess a grave sin. While we did discuss it - the priest basically pointed out that I had already imposed my own penance on myself. This has happenned on two occasions. Since you have already described yourself as “meek as a dove” in confession maybe it is a possibility that he saw something like this and felt you brought your own sack clothe ashes and he did not need to do any more.

 

[marleelynn]

I apologize for my part in adding to the confession thread basket.

So this morning I went to confession at a new place. I am going to be open and say I did have a grave sin to confess in addition to venial sins.

So I confessed everything and the priest gave me quick advice about the venial sin but he did not mention the other sin at all.

Then he said, “I don’t think you did too bad.”

I started to ask about the grave sin but he had already started the absolution. He did not ask me to say the Act of Contrition.

I am as a meek dove in the confessional and just quietly received the absolution. He told me to have a nice day and I said you too and kind of walked out in a daze.

It was only when I was outside that I realized that he had not given me a penance.

I can’t help but feel cheated out of a confession.

Am I blowing it out of proportion?

Charitable responses please.

Thanks.

I went to confession last Saturday to my spiritual advisor/confessor. I received absolution but he didn’t ask me to say an act of contrition. not sure why. think that only happened one other time

 

[Deo_Gratias42]

I know there doesn’t need to be penance for the absolution to be valid. But what of this?

The penance prescribed by the priest is to help in making reparation to God for the sins committed and it also grants the penitent more graces. While not invalidating absolution if it is not given, the priest is liable for not assigning a penance if there is not a good reason not to.

 

[TrueLight]

I am guessing that you go to confession every week or 2 (wonderful!)

You’re making me laugh. It sounds like you’re saying I’m scrupulous without saying I’m scrupulous. Ha ha.

But I’m not.

Which brings to mind a question.

Why would it be considered scrupulous even if I did choose to go once a week?

 

[choliks]

You’re making me laugh. It sounds like you’re saying I’m scrupulous without saying I’m scrupulous. Ha ha.

But I’m not.

Which brings to mind a question.

Why would it be considered scrupulous even if I did choose to go once a week?

I think it’s because a weekly confession is a pattern for scrupulosity.

 

[TrueLight]

I think it’s because a weekly confession is a pattern for scrupulosity.

Why?

Have any references for that?

 

[TrueLight]

I don’t want to derail this thread. I will start another.

 

[joanofarc2008]

You’re making me laugh. It sounds like you’re saying I’m scrupulous without saying I’m scrupulous. Ha ha.

But I’m not.

Which brings to mind a question.

Why would it be considered scrupulous even if I did choose to go once a week?

It isn’t - Pope John Paul II recommended weekly confession to the laity. The difference is whether the person going believes that they need to be going or face eternal damnation on a weekly basis because they are comitting such grevious mortal sins (well, maybe they are but I doubt most of those people are on CAF hanging out) or are they there for the grace of the Sacrament and to remove venial sin which is also an effect of the Sacrament.

 

[TrueLight]

It isn’t - Pope John Paul II recommended weekly confession to the laity. The difference is whether the person going believes that they need to be going or face eternal damnation on a weekly basis because they are comitting such grevious mortal sins (well, maybe they are but I doubt most of those people are on CAF hanging out) or are they there for the grace of the Sacrament and to remove venial sin which is also an effect of the Sacrament.

 

[Incomplete]

So I went to confession today, and as someone suggested, explained to the priest about my last confession and since I didn’t receive penance would he mind giving me one for that.

So the priest goes, "You got no penance? I said no. He was like wow.

Then he gave me the most penance I have ever received.

You made me laugh. I think I would like this priest!

 

[LilyM]

It isn’t - Pope John Paul II recommended weekly confession to the laity. The difference is whether the person going believes that they need to be going or face eternal damnation on a weekly basis because they are comitting such grevious mortal sins (well, maybe they are but I doubt most of those people are on CAF hanging out) or are they there for the grace of the Sacrament and to remove venial sin which is also an effect of the Sacrament.

Or to gain more graces to avoid future sin, which is also an effect of it.

I recently mentioned to someone that I was going to confession and the way he said to me ‘you know that you only have to go if you commit mortal sins’ and it struck me how many people are missing out on all the other things it offers.

 

[Laudate_Dominum]

. . .]

A penance is not always necessary. He may have felt a penance might not have helped you, or maybe he simply forgot.

As a side note, I hate when priests don’t wait for you to say an Act of Contrition.

 

[Matthew_Holford]

Why would it be considered scrupulous even if I did choose to go once a week?

Absolutely nothing whatsoever wrong with going to confession weekly. When I was a child going to confession at least once a fortnight was expected. It’s a shame that many feel they don’t need to go frequently.

 

[TrueLight]

Since I posted about a weird confession experience, I want to post about a nice experience.

I went to confession today and confessed two sins. The priest gave me advice on how to handle both of them, unprompted. He was gentle and understanding. He quoted Catholic teaching, so he instructed as well as counseled.

Then he gave me a penance which was different from what I am used to.

I really felt the love and forgiveness of God and felt strengthened to face any future temptations.

Thank you Lord.

 

[Incomplete]

Since I posted about a weird confession experience, I want to post about a nice experience.

I went to confession today and confessed two sins. The priest gave me advice on how to handle both of them, unprompted. He was gentle and understanding. He quoted Catholic teaching, so he instructed as well as counseled.

Then he gave me a penance which was different from what I am used to.

I really felt the love and forgiveness of God and felt strengthened to face any future temptations.

Thank you Lord.

Thanks for the update.

It sounds like you went to my confessor! Seriously, I stick to one confessor now because he knows me and helps me with my long-term issues, and I trust him.

 

[TrueLight]

Thanks for the update.

It sounds like you went to my confessor! Seriously, I stick to one confessor now because he knows me and helps me with my long-term issues, and I trust him.

This was at a church run by Dominican Friars. From his voice, I think I went to him before, but I’m not sure.

 

[Incomplete]

This was at a church run by Dominican Friars. From his voice, I think I went to him before, but I’m not sure.

So I assume you went behind the screen? (I don’t need to know, of course; just throwing that out there.)

I love priests who give a penance that truly addresses the issue. Is that the kind of penance you are talking about?

 

[TrueLight]

So I assume you went behind the screen? (I don’t need to know, of course; just throwing that out there.)

I love priests who give a penance that truly addresses the issue. Is that the kind of penance you are talking about?

Yes, behind a screen.

The penance involved reading something specific. I thought it was good.

I don’t have the desire to have face to face confessions – unless I have a spiritual director who is also my confessor.

 

[Padraig1972]

Thanks for the update.

It sounds like you went to my confessor! Seriously, I stick to one confessor now because he knows me and helps me with my long-term issues, and I trust him.

You bring up something important here. Over some time i have been to different priests for confession. It did help me to improve, but i realize sticking to one confessor is the best thing to do (when and if possible) as he knows you and can help you overcome short or like you said long time issues (i got one of them).