Prayer during Confession

[CB_Catholic]

I went to Confession last night during our Penance Service, and when it was my turn I sat down and my mind went blank. I said to the priest, who is newly ordained and very devout–“I can’t remember a thing I wanted to say”. He immediately responded with a prayer asking God to open my lips or something like that, that sounded like it might be a prayer from bygone days. Does anyone know of a prayer like this or heard of one? This priest was also fingering what looked like a gold Rosary during the Confession, which I have never seen before. I got the impression he took this responsibility very seriously.

It worked, because suddenly it came to mind what I wanted to say and everything was a normal confession after that.

 

[4love2God]

There are many Prayers that the new Priest may have recited to help you (4 of which I can think of right now).

Your best bet is to contact that Priest, and ask him the name of that Prayer.
(Just call on the phone. He will be glad that did. It’s nice to know you touched someone.)

 

[RPRPsych]

I went to Confession last night during our Penance Service, and when it was my turn I sat down and my mind went blank. I said to the priest, who is newly ordained and very devout–“I can’t remember a thing I wanted to say”. He immediately responded with a prayer asking God to open my lips or something like that, that sounded like it might be a prayer from bygone days. Does anyone know of a prayer like this or heard of one? This priest was also fingering what looked like a gold Rosary during the Confession, which I have never seen before. I got the impression he took this responsibility very seriously.

It worked, because suddenly it came to mind what I wanted to say and everything was a normal confession after that.

“Open my lips” could be a quote from Psalm 51, the great Penitential Psalm. It’s an important part of the Divine Office.

 

[tawny]

“Open my lips” could be a quote from Psalm 51, the great Penitential Psalm. It’s an important part of the Divine Office.

Correct.

 

[RPRPsych]

Correct.

Thanks for confirming this! Here’s the passage:
Psalm 51:

Create a clean heart in me, O God: and renew a right spirit within my bowels.
Cast me not away from thy face; and take not thy holy spirit from me.
Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation, and strengthen me with a perfect spirit.
I will teach the unjust thy ways: and the wicked shall be converted to thee.
Deliver me from blood, O God, thou God of my salvation: and my tongue shall extol thy justice.
O Lord, thou wilt open my lips: and my mouth shall declare thy praise.
For if thou hadst desired sacrifice, I would indeed have given it: with burnt offerings thou wilt not be delighted.
A sacrifice to God is an afflicted spirit: a contrite and humbled heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.

One of the most beautiful Psalms in the Psalter.

 

[CB_Catholic]

Thanks for confirming this! Here’s the passage:

One of the most beautiful Psalms in the Psalter.

Yes it is, and one of my favorites. I would have recognized it. No, this sounded like a prayer from an old prayerbook or something. Either that, or Father waxes poetic.

Anyway, I thought it very moving for the priest to pray for the penitent having some trouble in that way, instead of just saying “relax” or something like that. I will just have to ask him next time I go to Confession with him.

 

[RPRPsych]

Yes it is, and one of my favorites. I would have recognized it. No, this sounded like a prayer from an old prayerbook or something. Either that, or Father waxes poetic.

Well, at least we know what Father wasn’t saying.

Anyway, I thought it very moving for the priest to pray for the penitent having some trouble in that way, instead of just saying “relax” or something like that. I will just have to ask him next time I go to Confession with him.

I agree. This is probably the best idea.