Priests Forgetting Confessed Sins

[RosalieM]

I had a rather disturbing (paranoid-like) thought the other day. I wondered if priests I’ve confessed to remember my sins when they see me later. I’ve heard priests have a special grace wherein they can forget sins confessed to them almost immediately.
Yet, I’ve heard things I’ve mentioned in the parish priests’ confessional incorporated into a homily a couple of times. Coincidence perhaps? I confess behind the screen; but then I started wondering if they could still know it’s me. The only place I felt really anonymous confessing was in an old-fashioned confessional booth to a visiting priest.
(hats off to those of you who have the nerve to confess face-to-face; I don’t think I’ll ever be able to do that. )

 

[Neophyte_Rose]

I personally prefer confessing face to face. I feel really uncomfortable in a confessional; but I’ve only ever had face to face confession with the exception of a very few times when it wasn’t, for some reason shrugs, available.

I guess maybe I just feel more comfortable being able to see a person to whom I am speaking (even though I do recognize that I am really confessing to Jesus), and I like to have the same confessor and spiritual director as well, because generally then he is a person whom I trust pretty much completely, and would go to with anything anyways.

that way, as well, he can help me to grow more and he has a better idea of who I am and where my struggles lie and where my sins come from when I confess… which really can only help him to help me.

Pax Christi,
Esther Rose

 

[LilyM]

I had a rather disturbing (paranoid-like) thought the other day. I wondered if priests I’ve confessed to remember my sins when they see me later. I’ve heard priests have a special grace wherein they can forget sins confessed to them almost immediately.
Yet, I’ve heard things I’ve mentioned in the parish priests’ confessional incorporated into a homily a couple of times. Coincidence perhaps? I confess behind the screen; but then I started wondering if they could still know it’s me. The only place I felt really anonymous confessing was in an old-fashioned confessional booth to a visiting priest.
(hats off to those of you who have the nerve to confess face-to-face; I don’t think I’ll ever be able to do that. )

I’m also one of those who’ve not quite worked up to face-to-face confessions.

As for hearing ‘things you’ve mentioned’ in homilies - unless your sins or whatever else you say in there are incredibly unusual (and there are very VERY few sins or comments that are) then it may just be a koinkydink.

Personally if I were certain it was me I’d just thank God that my sins and struggles could be used as an example to others in this way - as long as the comments weren’t in any way derogatory to myself. If they are, you have every right to take it up with the priest - the seal of confession doesn’t apply to you and doesn’t apply to the priest discussing your confession with you as long as you bring it up first.

God bless.

 

[bpbasilphx]

(hats off to those of you who have the nerve to confess face-to-face; I don’t think I’ll ever be able to do that. )

As an Easterner, I’ve never been to confession behind a screen, and I really don’t think I’d find it satisfactory. It’s always been out in the open before the iconostas (though once it was the priest’s office).

 

[surfinpure]

I don’t know how any priest could possibly sort out whose sins are whose after hearing so many confessions in a row!

I admit I’ve been nervous about this in the past. I do confess face-to-face (because I’m more comfortable this way) and I suppose I get image-conscious, not wanting my priest to think I’m not taking my faith seriously. When that happens, I just remind myself to be humble – I’m not there to make a good impression; I’m there to get forgiveness and grace.

Also, for what it’s worth, our priest has said before in his homily how sometimes during confession a person will unwittingly convict him of something he’s been doing without realizing it! So it also serves as an examination of conscience for the confessor. I can see only good coming from this.

We have to remember that, though we certainly hope our priests are striving for sainthood, they are still human and also have to go to confession. If you feel self-conscious about the sins you have to confess, imagine how your confessor must feel when it’s his turn – he’s the one wearing the robes!