Spiritual Direction in the confessional

[cviolette]

I currently need to go to confession. I have been delaying it because I am concerned about what the priest might say. I plan on just saying my mortal sins and not going into any details. If the priest asked questions and gives me advice, am I required to follow the advice to be forgiven.

I have thought about driving into the city for confession where the priest does not know me. I feel like I will be less likely to sin if I know I have to face one of the two priest that know me.

 

[jpjd]

Forgiveness hinges on your own repentence, not on following the priests spiritual guidance. However, one might wonder just how sincere your repentence is if you are not willing to follow his advice on the matter.

 

[Anathama_Sit]

I currently need to go to confession. I have been delaying it because I am concerned about what the priest might say. I plan on just saying my mortal sins and not going into any details. If the priest asked questions and gives me advice, am I required to follow the advice to be forgiven.

I have thought about driving into the city for confession where the priest does not know me. I feel like I will be less likely to sin if I know I have to face one of the two priest that know me.

Greetings Cviolette,

Go to Confession. I would counsel you to go and confess to one of the priests who know you. It helps to keep one accountable. And they will be able to help you because they know your past patterns and what you struggle with.

I would follow the priest’s advice, though one is not required to follow it, unless of course he gives it as a part of the penance. I would go ahead and follow his counsel, we cannot go wrong in following counsel received in the Sacrament of Reconciliation, but remember we need to be honest and forthright about what we are confessing, so that the advice given by the priest will be most helpful.

It’s like going to the doctor becuase you are sick. What point is there going to the doctor if you do not plan on following his advice?

God Bless.
Anathama Sit

 

[Bookcat]

Some matters are not “advice” but requirements. Such as the firm purpose of amendment for the mortal sin!! If the advice of the priest is not murder anymore people…for sure one needs to do that

 

[cviolette]

Forgiveness hinges on your own repentence, not on following the priests spiritual guidance. However, one might wonder just how sincere your repentence is if you are not willing to follow his advice on the matter.

I have done better. It has been 7 1/2 months since I have committed the sin and the situation is much different. I am just concerned that he will want me to avoid the temptation. I would prefer to try to see if I can add boundaries.

Greetings Cviolette,

Go to Confession. I would counsel you to go and confess to one of the priests who know you. It helps to keep one accountable. And they will be able to help you because they know your past patterns and what you struggle with.

I would follow the priest’s advice, though one is not required to follow it, unless of course he gives it as a part of the penance. I would go ahead and follow his counsel, we cannot go wrong in following counsel received in the Sacrament of Reconciliation, but remember we need to be honest and forthright about what we are confessing, so that the advice given by the priest will be most helpful.

It’s like going to the doctor becuase you are sick. What point is there going to the doctor if you do not plan on following his advice?

God Bless.
Anathama Sit

I did make a promise to myself that I would go to my parish priest from now on. It makes me think twice before doing something wrong. I see him everyday at daily mass so it is sometimes hard to confess. He is on vacation until next Monday.

So that leaves the priest from another parish that I sometimes go to. He has already told me that I need to change my friends. I have become more involved in my parish and have developed friendships with more devout people. I still manage to fall again but this time I am stopping much sooner. I am just concerned that the priest will want me to make more changes in my life and right now that would be hard.

 

[cviolette]

Some matters are not “advice” but requirements. Such as the firm purpose of amendment for the mortal sin!! If the advice of the priest is not murder anymore people…for sure one needs to do that

I will check with the priest if it is a requirement or advice if he gives me spiritual direction. I do not plan on committing the mortal sin again but know that it will be a struggle. I do go to daily mass, adoration and pray the rosary and chaplet to get the graces I need to do what is right.

LOL! At least not to commit murder is advice I can manage to follow