Should I always go to my parish priest for Confession?

[acarlson]

You’re free to go to any priest who is in a position to give the Sacrament licitly. Personally, I was scared to death to confess to my parish priest for the first time (I’m a convert but “grew up” in this parish). But in a way, it was an even more “complete” confession simply because he knows me, if that makes any sense. At the same time, I’ve had my best confession with a priest I’ll likely never see again. Give it a try, really. You’ll see what works best for you!

 

[Gordon_Sims]

During my one daughter’s First Confession, I got over my uneasiness about face-to-face Confession pretty quickly. It was the first confession I’d had in about 9 years and I was determined to give as full a confession as possible. They had one priest in the confessional and the others up on the altar. I wanted to confess to my parish priest so I had no choice but to give this soul-bearing confession, telling every last thing I’d done over the past decade (some much more difficult and embarrassing than anything I’d ever mentioned in confession before) right out in the open with what felt like every eye in the church staring at me. It was actually very reassuring being able to see Father’s face as I confessed and I’ve been going to face-to-face confession ever since.

I do enjoy experiencing Confession with other priests, though, which is why I was a bit concerned about what my friend said. Part of it is that I like hearing the different perspectives and seeing what sort of penance one priest gives vs. another. The funny thing is, I always seem to get the most lenient priest, while my wife gets the rough ones. I end up with two Hail Marys and telling my kids I love them, while she’s left with an hour of kneeler duty. Not that I’m complaining.

 

[Mrs_Sally]

I just want to say I love the idea of family confession and making it a positive thing that your children can even look forward to. We usually go out to dinner after Saturday confession, but the park, the zoo, or whatever is fun! Once we have been to confession and we are all “glowing inside” (as the priest who prepares the 2nd graders said), why not have a little celebration!

 

[MissRose73]

I seldom get the chance to go to Confession at the parish closest to my home due to the times that conflict with my work schedule.

As long as I have a 1/2 day or a full day off from work on Saturday (or different day of the week), I try to go to Confession at any parish nearby, and try to go more than 2 times a year. I find it easier to go and stand in line compared to make an appointment to have my confession heard.

 

[TrueLight]

I do enjoy experiencing Confession with other priests, though, which is why I was a bit concerned about what my friend said. Part of it is that I like hearing the different perspectives and seeing what sort of penance one priest gives vs. another. The funny thing is, I always seem to get the most lenient priest, while my wife gets the rough ones. I end up with two Hail Marys and telling my kids I love them, while she’s left with an hour of kneeler duty. Not that I’m complaining.

For my first confession, I went to a nice Dominican priest who didn’t know me at all. He was very gentle and very old. He gave me an Our father as penance. I was shocked because I told him quite a bit. He asked me if I knew the Our Father. So I guess he went easy on me because he knew I was a convert.