Kneeling or sitting for confession

[TravisandJill]

I go to confession somewhere that has both the kneelers AND a chair behind the screen. I usually choose to sit for comfort because I’m usually shaky during confession. I know kneeling is preferred, however, is it still ok to choose to sit instead?

 

[PraiseChrist]

I go to confession somewhere that has both the kneelers AND a chair behind the screen. I usually choose to sit for comfort because I’m usually shaky during confession. I know kneeling is preferred, however, is it still ok to choose to sit instead?

You can sit, if you want.

 

[SuscipeMeDomine]

They wouldn’t offer you the option if there was a problem with it. Be at peace with either choice.

 

[Cor_ad_Cor]

It is an individual preference, not the preference of the Church.

 

[esieffe]

I have not noticed any kneelers at the two churches where I go to confession.

 

[pianistclare]

It doesn’t matter.

 

[Rosebud77]

There is one big church here where they have to kneel in front of a window in full view of the people in the church, ie a glass door,

 

[paduard]

I agree, sit or kneel; either-way okay.
paduard.

 

[pianistclare]

There is one big church here where they have to kneel in front of a window in full view of the people in the church, ie a glass door,

Do you consider that scandalous? Many Reconciliation rooms in the U.S. have windows now.
So long as no one can HEAR you, there’s no problem. Everyone can see who is standing in line before they go in. That wouldn’t deter me a bit.

 

[Mary_Ellen]

OP - They wouldn’t offer the option if there were a problem.

Rosebud - You didn’t actually object to the practice in your post but regarding the glass door: (a) penitents are in full view of the whole church when entering most confessionals; (b) some church designers feel this keeps down the possibility of abuse; (c) folks who keep track of who’s going to confession and not or intently watch penitents from the other side of the glass may have more problems than the penitents they’re watching.

 

[Faith1960]

I have not noticed any kneelers at the two churches where I go to confession.

We have kneelers. I suppose if you want to go face to face there’s a chair on the other side of the screen but I don’t know.

 

[Rosebud77]

OP - They wouldn’t offer the option if there were a problem.

Rosebud - You didn’t actually object to the practice in your post but regarding the glass door: (a) penitents are in full view of the whole church when entering most confessionals; (b) some church designers feel this keeps down the possibility of abuse; (c) folks who keep track of who’s going to confession and not or intently watch penitents from the other side of the glass may have more problems than the penitents they’re watching.

I bit back the comment i wanted to make. I was frankly horrified, And I described it badly.

Between the side of the church and a corridor leading to the Friary, a full glass door and in that corridor near the church side, a woman kneeling at a door hatch>others in the pews were waiting to go in with her fully visible.

I only noticed as she was wearing a bright red coat,and I was not there for confession but I hightailed it out and avoid it now.

There are confessionals in the church of course.

 

[pianistclare]

Between the side of the church and a corridor leading to the Friary, a full glass door and in that corridor near the church side, a woman kneeling at a door hatch>others in the pews were waiting to go in with her fully visible.

I only noticed as she was wearing a bright red coat,and I was not there for confession but I hightailed it out and avoid it now.

Why?

 

[babochka]

I bit back the comment i wanted to make. I was frankly horrified, And I described it badly.

Between the side of the church and a corridor leading to the Friary, a full glass door and in that corridor near the church side, a woman kneeling at a door hatch>others in the pews were waiting to go in with her fully visible.

I only noticed as she was wearing a bright red coat,and I was not there for confession but I hightailed it out and avoid it now.

There are confessionals in the church of course.

Why is this a problem? While I can understand why it might be disconcerting to witness someone’s confession if you aren’t used to it and don’t expect it, upon further reflection do you think there’s something actually wrong with being able to see (but not hear) the confession?

 

[pnewton]

I remember a VIRTUS video showed a window in a confessional. It took up half the door. I understand both sides to this issue. We have no window in ours, but if it were ever mandated, I think a small window, say 8X12 , might serve to all allow both privacy and as a protection for the priest.

 

[Rosebud77]

Why is this a problem? While I can understand why it might be disconcerting to witness someone’s confession if you aren’t used to it and don’t expect it, upon further reflection do you think there’s something actually wrong with being able to see (but not hear) the confession?

Yes I do, It is inhibiting and distracting in the extreme, .

Else why the traditional closed confessionals? Privacy has always been a feature,

True , we can often choose face to face or screened but to make a public show of it?

 

[Rosebud77]

I remember a VIRTUS video showed a window in a confessional. It took up half the door. I understand both sides to this issue. We have no window in ours, but if it were ever mandated, I think a small window, say 8X12 , might serve to all allow both privacy and as a protection for the priest.

That is different. This is fully visible to the people in the church. And very close Not between penitent and priest

 

[pianistclare]

Yes I do, It is inhibiting and distracting in the extreme, .

Else why the traditional closed confessionals? Privacy has always been a feature,

True , we can often choose face to face or screened but to make a public show of it?

After all the scandals in Ireland, you have to ask this?

The important thing is the Sacrament done where no one can hear.
Everything else is personal preference.

 

[Rosebud77]

Why is this a problem? While I can understand why it might be disconcerting to witness someone’s confession if you aren’t used to it and don’t expect it, upon further reflection do you think there’s something actually wrong with being able to see (but not hear) the confession?

Surprised at your questions…

Maybe in your more rushed world…

But here; to sit face to face in quiet, sacred privacy, with a priest you have known years,who has seen you through thick and thin, … to smile and , yes, weep. Apart from the outside world, with no inhibitions… to face all done and undone quietly and in trust, , and he knowing that in painful old age you can no longer even kneel… and seldom be there

No awareness of other eyes… just the trusted priest and your trusting self…

rare for me as rare I can get there. And treasured is the apartness that the closed door affords…

Over and out from me as I find the … responses… puzzling and a little sad.

We are after all individual children of loving God… I knew someone who spoke of cookie cutter Christianity… We do have needs and choices

 

[FrancescaMaria]

Surprised at your questions…

Maybe in your more rushed world…

But here; to sit face to face in quiet, sacred privacy, with a priest you have known years,who has seen you through thick and thin, … to smile and , yes, weep. Apart from the outside world, with no inhibitions… to face all done and undone quietly and in trust, , and he knowing that in painful old age you can no longer even kneel… and seldom be there

No awareness of other eyes… just the trusted priest and your trusting self…

rare for me as rare I can get there. And treasured is the apartness that the closed door affords…

Over and out from me as I find the … responses… puzzling and a little sad.

We are after all individual children of loving God… I knew someone who spoke of cookie cutter Christianity… We do have needs and choices

That sounds beautiful and it is a gift when it sometimes happens this way. However, this is not the norm and tradition everywhere. Most traditional European churches have open Confessionals along the sides of the church. The old confessionals have traditionally allowed for both screened and face to face confession. If you want screened, you come from the side, if you want face to face, you just kneel directly in front of the priest. Either way, you are in plain view of everyone in the church. After all, you are reconciling with not only God, but with the entire Christian community. Here is a picture of our Holy Father confessing in a very “traditional” and old confessional:
soul-candy.info/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/140328_pope-confession_d880e43f383d973491d6ce94a8b8ec4f.jpg