Odd Confession experience today

[texasag7599]

I went to a different parish for Confession today. This is a very small parish in an area with few Catholics. I was the only one there and I didn’t know where anything was so I walked into the church and saw the restrooms. I figured I should go before Confession so I went in. When I came out there was an older man standing there wearing shorts and a t-shirt. He asked who I was and I told him my business. He told me that he was the priest and that he had heard someone but nobody had came in. He then showed me where the confessional was. I went in for a face to face confessional, which I normally don’t do, but considering that we had already seen each other, I didn’t see much point in going behind the screen. He sat in a rocking chair across from me and, after the initial start to the confession, he asked me some questions about my life, kids, marriage, so on. Then we talked about my problem. He helped alot and made some good points but he also said a few things I didn’t quite agree with. Strangest thing is that he didn’t give me a penance. Otherwise, everything was normal, act of contrition, etc. Afterwards, he followed me out of the confessional and we talked in the church for awhile. He then told me that I would have made a good priest. Then he said I should think about becoming a deacon after my kids were grown and I had the time. I then left happy after saying goodbye and completely forgetting that I was never given a penance or spent any time in the church in prayer. The only thing that really concerns me is the lack of penance. Should I just perform my own?

Anyway, when I look back it just seemed really odd.

 

[nfreak141]

Who knows? Maybe being a deacon IS your calling. But then again, my philosophy is that random encounters aren’t as “random” as we think they are. (we DO have a God that can make things happen, after all).

For penance… isn’t the Rosary and the Chaplet of Divine Mercy enough? I mean, the promises they contain is to forgive you of your venial sins (paraphrased).

 

[beeliner]

Did he wear the stole while hearing your confession? If not…

I almost hate to suggest this, but did it occur to you, at the time or later, that the man in shorts and a t-shirt may have been an imposter?

It should be easy enough to check out.

 

[Edmundus1581]

This question about the penance has come up before, and the answer has always been that the confession and absolution are valid without being assigned a penance. The priest obviously should assign a penance, according to the form, but they do sometimes forget, and that does not affect the validity of the sacrament. Please see You are not held responsible for a priest’s error in past Confessions. The responsibility lies with him; not you [Fr Serpa]

As to your overall “strange” experience, I would just like to re-assure that it was not completely unusual. I’ve atttended confession 100’s of times over 30 years, with dozens of different priests. I would say that 90% have been the straighforward formula, but there have been a few where the priest has said and done some unusual things, and it’s mostly been in circumstances like yours, where there usual routine has been broken (in your case, being the only penitent, and meeting the priest outside the confessional). However, it does seem particularly strange that he should discuss anything after the confession though. Even though it was not your sins, I thought that everything in the confession, including this priests thoughts about your “vocation”, was covered by the seal. That’s the only aspect of all this that would give me any pause for thought.

 

[AndyF]

Not receiving penance instructions has occurred with me on occasion. I think this is simply an omission. In this case an act of contrition already said suffices. An Hail Mary and Our Father is always well received.

As far has your conversation it is hard to say. Perhaps he saw qualities in you that meet the requirement. Perhaps there is a pressing need for a deacon or someone needed at the mass or financial and administrative duties for someone who has the time.

Andy

 

[Sarika]

. However, it does seem particularly strange that he should discuss anything after the confession though. Even though it was not your sins, I thought that everything in the confession, including this priests thoughts about your “vocation”, was covered by the seal.

Same here. The whole thing seems strange to me. I’d check it out.