Spanish Speakers, Ayuda Me! Priest wanting to hear Confessions in Spanish

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I’m a priest. I can read a good bit of Spanish (enough to follow the missal) and can speak a little, but I have trouble hearing and understanding well. I don’t have much vocabulary or much practice. Pretty much the only time I interact with Spanish speakers is at the occasional Spanish mass, where they also ask me for confession. I’m on a rotation in other parishes, we don’t have Spanish mass at my parish.

But, I want to learn! Can anyone give me a list of the common ways that Spanish speakers confess their sins?

Could someone go through a thorough examination of conscience, pretending that they committed every sin, and then write out how they would express those to the priest in Spanish? Preferably an examination that uses the 10 Commandments (e.g. beginningcatholic.com/catholic-examination-of-conscience) and the 7 Deadly sins (e.g. focusequip.org/assets/pdf/examination-of-conscience.pdf).
It’d also be great if someone could add a few variations or slang expressions for the common ones (gossip, lying, undue anger, various forms of laziness and gluttony) and for the ones most people don’t like to say outright (masturbation, pornography, other sexual sins).

If I can get a decent set of examples, it’ll give me enough confessional vocabulary to trudge through it and not misunderstand everything!

Anything helps, thank you!
 
Saiphus said:
I’m a priest. I can read a good bit of Spanish (enough to follow the missal) and can speak a little, but I have trouble hearing and understanding well. I don’t have much vocabulary or much practice. Pretty much the only time I interact with Spanish speakers is at the occasional Spanish mass, where they also ask me for confession. I’m on a rotation in other parishes, we don’t have Spanish mass at my parish.

But, I want to learn! Can anyone give me a list of the common ways that Spanish speakers confess their sins?

Could someone go through a thorough examination of conscience, pretending that they committed every sin, and then write out how they would express those to the priest in Spanish? Preferably an examination that uses the 10 Commandments (e.g. beginningcatholic.com/catholic-examination-of-conscience) and the 7 Deadly sins (e.g. focusequip.org/assets/pdf/examination-of-conscience.pdf).
It’d also be great if someone could add a few variations or slang expressions for the common ones (gossip, lying, undue anger, various forms of laziness and gluttony) and for the ones most people don’t like to say outright (masturbation, pornography, other sexual sins).

If I can get a decent set of examples, it’ll give me enough confessional vocabulary to trudge through it and not misunderstand everything!

Anything helps, thank you!
Click to expand...
Hello Father,
I will try to put something together and PM you.
God bless you for the care you give to those who are not fluent in English.
Our Chancery is just now offering Spanish lessons for the priests and Deacons with a focus on liturgy and Sacraments. I’ll see if they have materials they wills hare as well.
Peace!
 
bump

Any word on such a document? Even just a rough outline? Thanks again!
 
Saiphus said:
bump

Any word on such a document? Even just a rough outline? Thanks again!
Click to expand...
Hi. I’m a priest as well and I routinely hear confessions in Spanish. Like you, I’m a non-native speaker, but native speakers have told me my Spanish is quite good. However, I don’t think you’re going to find what you’re looking for. Honestly, the best thing to do is to sit in the confessional and just do the best you can. Eventually, it will start making sense. Just as there are a myriad of ways to confess the same sin in English, there are a myriad of ways to confess the same sin in Spanish. But, a couple of pointers:

mentiras=lies, hecho mentiras=I lied
robar=to rob or to steal
orgullo=pride
rincor=anger
me enoje=I got angry
adulterio=adultery

These are a just a few. Like I said, you’re not going to find an exhaustive list. Just start hearing confessions. Eventually, it will make sense. When I first started, I joked that I could have been letting a serial killer off with one Hail Mary (paraphrasing a quote from Timothy Dolan’s book, Priests for the Third Millennium), but now, I feel like I can more or less hear Spanish confessions in my sleep. Like everything else in life, the only way to get good is to practice.
 
Good evening father!

It must be noted that how a person confesses a sin could vary from one nation to another, regardless if such nations speak the same language…I’m guessing most of your parishioners are Mexican , it is also likely that they use Mexican idioms when confessing their sins…Either way, I’m south american and this is how I would confess my sins if I had violated the first commandment…

Disobeyed the commandments of God or the Church?
-Soy culpable de haber desobedecido los mandamientos de Dios y de la Iglesia.

Refused to accept what God has revealed as true, or what the Catholic Church proposes for belief?
-Me he opuesto a aceptar lo que Dios ha revelado como verdad o lo que la iglesia Catolica enseña

Denied the existence of God?
-He negado la existencia de Dios.

Nourished and protected my faith?
-Soy culpable de no haber protejido y nutrido mi fe.

Rejected everything opposed to a sound faith?
Soy culpable de haber aceptado doctrinas que van en contra de la Iglesia Catolica.

Deliberately misled others about doctrine or the faith?
-Soy culpable de haber guiado a mi projimo al camino opuesto de la fe y la doctrina catolica.

Rejected the Catholic faith, joined another Christian denomination, or joined or practiced another religion?
-Soy culpable de haber rechazado la fe Catolica y de haberme inscrito a denominaciones protestantes.

Joined a group forbidden to Catholics (Masons, communists, etc.)?
-Soy culpable de haber integrado grupos comunistas.

Despaired about my salvation or the forgiveness of my sins?
-Soy culpable de haber caido en desesperacion respecto a mi salvacion y perdon de mis pecados.

Presumed on God’s mercy? (Committing a sin in expectation of forgiveness, or asking for forgiveness without conversion and practicing virtue.)

-Soy culpable de haber cometido un pecado con la esperanza de que luego lo confesaria y seria perdonado. .

Loved someone or something more than God (money, power, sex, ambition, etc.)?
-Soy culpable de haberle entregado mi corazon al dinero.

Let someone or something influence my choices more than God?
-Soy culpable de haber permitido que otras personas, en lugar de Dios, influenciaran mis decisiones.

Engaged in superstitious practices? (Incl. horoscopes, fortune tellers, etc.)
-Soy culpable de haber visitado personas que adivinan el futuro.

Formally left the Catholic Church?
-Soy culpable de haber abandonado la iglesia Catolica.

Hidden a serious sin or told a lie in confession?

-Soy culpable de haber ocultado x pecado en el sacramento de la confesion…/ or/ soy culpable de haber mentido en el sacramento de la confesion.
If you wish, father, I can do the same with the other commandments as well… and also with the 7 deadly sins…However, I’m not sure if you’re interested in my translations since I’m south american and most likely your parishioners are mexican… … My translations contain “neutral spanish” doesn’t include any idioms or slang since I’m not familiarized with mexican idioms.
 
This is great! It won’t cover everything, but it gives me a baseline. The other commandments would be great, especially the 5th, 6th, and 9th commandments. Thank you.
 
**Second commandment: **

Used the name of God in cursing or blasphemy?
Soy culpable de haber irrespetado el nombre de Dios.

Failed to keep vows or promises that I have made to God?
Soy culpable de no haber cumplido las promesas que le habia hecho a Dios.

Spoken about the Faith, the Church, the saints, or sacred things with irreverence, hatred or defiance?
Soy culpable de haberme referido de manera inapropiada a la iglesia .

Watched television or movies, or listened to music that treated God, the Church, the saints, or sacred things irreverently?
Soy culpable de haber visto peliculas o escuchado musica que hablaban de manera irrespetuosa hacia Dios , la iglesia o los santos.

Used vulgar, suggestive or obscene speech?
Soy culpable de haber empleado un vocabulario obseno o vulgar.

Belittled others in my speech?
Soy culpable de haber denigrado a otras personas con mis palabras.

Behaved disrespectfully in Church?
Soy culpable de haberme comportado de manera irrespetuosa en la iglesia.

Misused places or things set apart for the worship of God?
Soy culpable de haber usado de manera inapropiada objetos que tiene como fin el adorar a Dios.

Committed perjury? (Breaking an oath or lying under oath.)
Soy culpable de haber cometido perjurio.

Blamed God for my failings?
Soy responsable de haber culpado a Dios de mis fracasos.

**
Third commandment: **

Set time aside each day for personal prayer to God?
Soy culpable de no haberle dedicado tiempo a Dios todos los dias.

Missed Mass on Sunday or Holy Days (through own fault w/o sufficient reason)?
Soy culpable de no haber asistido a misa los domingos o dias de obligacion sin ninguna razon justificable.

Committed a sacrilege against the Blessed Sacrament?
Soy culpable de haber cometido sacrilegio contra el Santisimo Sacramento.

Received a sacrament while in the state of mortal sin?
Soy culpable de haber recibido la comunion en estado de pecado mortal.

Habitually come late to and/or leave early from Mass without a good reason?
Soy culpable de haber llegado tarde a misa en varias ocasiones sin ninguna razon justificable.

Shop, labor, or do business unnecessarily on Sunday or other Holy Days of Obligation?
Soy culpable de haber trabajado aun cuando era innecesario los domingos y Dias de Obligacion.

Not attend to taking my children to Mass?
Soy culpable de no haber llevado mis hijos a misa.

Knowingly eat meat on a forbidden day (or not fasting on a fast day)?
Soy culpable de haber comido carne en los dias de abstinencia aun cuando tenia conocimiento de que debia abstanerme de carne en dichos dias.

Eat or drink within one hour of receiving Communion (other than medical need)?
Soy culpable de haber comido dulces a pocos minutos de recibir la comunion .

Fourth Commandment
Honor your father and your mother.

Have I…

(If still under my parents’ care) Obeyed all that my parents reasonably asked of me?

Soy culpable de no haber obedecido todas las ordenes de mis padres.

Neglected the needs of my parents in their old age or in their time of need?
Soy culpable de haber ignorado las necesidades de mis padres en su vejez.

(If still in school) Obeyed the reasonable demands of my teachers?
Soy culpable de haber desobedico mis padres.

Neglected to give my children proper food, clothing, shelter, education, discipline and care (even after Confirmation)?

Soy culpable de no haberle proporcionado a mis hijos con comida, ropa, techo, educacion, disciplina y cuidado (aun despues de confirmacion)

Provided for the religious education and formation of my children for as long as they are under my care?
Soy culpable de haber ignorado la formacion y educacion religiosa de mis hijos.

Ensured that my children still under my care regularly frequent the sacraments of Penance and Holy Communion?
Soy culpable de no haberme asegurado de que mis hijos recibieran de manera frecuente los sacramentos de reconciliacion y comunion.

Educated my children in a way that corresponds to my religious convictions?
Soy culpable de haber criado a mis hijos de una manera que contradice mis convicciones religiosas.

Provided my children with a positive, prudent and personalized education in the Catholic teaching on human sexuality?

Soy culpable de no haber compartido con mis hijos las enseñanzas de la Iglesia respecto a sexualidad se refiere.

Been to my children a good example of how to live the Catholic Faith?
He pecado al no haber sido un buen ejemplo para mis hijos respecto a como se debe vivir la fe catolica.

Prayed with and for my children?
Soy responsable de no haber reazado con mis hijos.

Lived in humble obedience to those who legitimately exercise authority over me?
Soy culpable de haber desobedecido a las autoridades.

Have I broken the law?
Soy culpable de haber violado la ley.

Have I supported or voted for a politician whose positions are opposed to the teachings of Christ and the Catholic Church?
He pecado al apoyar un candidato politico cuyas posiciones se oponen a las enseñanzas de Cristo y de la iglesia Catolica.
 
Fifth Commandment
You shall not kill.

Have I…

Unjustly and intentionally killed a human being?
Soy culpable de haber matado de manera intencional e injustificable a otra persona.

Been involved in an abortion, directly or indirectly (through advice, etc.)?
Soy culpable de haber participado en un aborto.

Seriously considered or attempted suicide?
Soy culpable de haber considerado muy seriamente el suicidio.

Supported, promoted or encouraged the practice of assisted suicide or mercy killing?
Soy responsable de haber apoyado la practica de suicidio asistido.

Deliberately desired to kill an innocent human being?
Soy culpable de haber deseado con acabar la vida de otra persona.

Unjustly inflicted bodily harm an another person?
Soy culpable de haberle ocasionado dolor a otra persona.

Unjustly threatened another person with bodily harm?
Soy culpable de haber amenazado a otra persona con causarle daños corporales.

Verbally or emotionally abused another person?
Soy culpable de haber abusado de manera verbal a otra persona.

Hated another person, or wished him evil?
Soy culpable de guardarle rencor y odio a otras personas.

Been prejudiced, or unjustly discriminated against others because of their race, color, nationality, sex or religion?
Soy culpable de haber discriminado a personas de otras nacionalidades.

Joined a hate group?
Soy culpable de haber participado en grupos xenofobicos.

Purposely provoked another by teasing or nagging?
Soy culpable de haber abusado de la paciencia de otra persona.

Recklessly endangered my life or health, or that of another, by my actions?
Soy culpable de haber puesto mi vida en peligro como consecuencia de mi imprudencia.

Driven recklessly or under the influence of alcohol or other drugs?
Soy responsable de haber bebido de manera imprudente.

Abused alcohol or other drugs?
Soy responsable de haber abusado del alcohol.

Sold or given drugs to others to use for non-therapeutic purposes?
Soy culpable de haber vendido drogas a personas que son drogadictas.

Used tobacco immoderately?
Soy responsable de haber fumado de manera desenfrenada.

Over-eaten?
Soy culpable de haber comido de mas.

Helped another to commit a mortal sin (through advice, driving them somewhere, etc.?
Soy culpable de haberle dado consejos a otra persona para que cometiera un pecado mortal.

Caused serious injury or death by criminal neglect?
I don’t understand what “criminal neglect” means.

Refused to control my temper?

He pecado al no controlar mi temperamento.

Been mean to, quarreled with, or willfully hurt someone?
Soy culpable de haber tratado a otra persona de manera injusta.

Been unforgiving to others, when mercy or pardon was requested?
He pecado al no perdonar a otra persona que me pidio perdon.

Sought revenge or hoped something bad would happen to someone?
Soy culpable de haberme querido vengar de otra persona.

Delighted to see someone else get hurt or suffer?
Soy culpable de haberme alegrado cuando a otra persona le sucedio algo malo.

Treated animals cruelly, causing them to suffer or die needlessly?
soy culpable de haber tratado a mi perro de una manera cruel.

I didn’t know how to translate some words so I used the online translator www.wordreference.com
 
Father Saiphus…

When I confess my sins , before mentioning the sin, I say “I’m guilty of” “I’m responsible of” “I failed to”… I’m not sure if other people also use such technique when confessing their sins… I use such technique in order to feel more aware of my sins…

So. If I have disrespected my uncle , I would say “I’m guilty of disrespecting my uncle” so in spanish, the translation would be “soy culpable de haber irrespetado a mi tio”… however, I’m guessing some people would just say “I disrespected my uncle” so the translation would be “le he faltado el respeto a mi tio”

God bless you, father.
 
italki.com/ is a good resource to find people to practice language with. You can pay for conversation by the hou (starting at like $5) or you can find free conversation partners. There are loads of people in both categories for Espanol. It would definitely improve your fluency
 
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