The Pope and his sins

[wacky_wonderful]

Elsewhere on this forum someone mentioned that they had heard/read that JP2 went to confession daily. Now I feel totally worthless and defective as a human being. What could a pope possibly have to confess on a daily basis? He forgot to floss? I could go to confession daily, but my priest is already putting in 36 hour days. Dealing with me on a daily basis might send him over the edge. I live alone, work alone and don’t socialize except for pleasantries with a neighbor or two. I think reciting the penitential rite during daily mass covers my sins. Or does it?

 

[Della]

The Holy Father has a lot on his shoulders. He doesn’t go to confession just to confess his sins but to receive the graces of the sacrament to carry on for another day. If you think your parish priest is busy and has a lot on his plate, magnify that by billions and you’ll understand why the pope takes advantage of every sacrament available to him.

And you are right that the penitential rite at the beginning of Mass “takes care of” our venial sins, but there is still the temporal punishment due to our sins which is what you confessor will give you penances for, besides having the great privilege of receiving the graces of the sacrament. Plus, your going to confession helps to heal the wounds in the body of Christ, so do go and get all you can from it!

 

[Island_Oak]

wacky&wonderful:

…I live alone, work alone and don’t socialize except for pleasantries with a neighbor or two…

Perhaps instead of spending more time alone inside a box, you might entertain the idea of joining/volunteering with a group to expand your social circle, interests and connections with others. Daily confession sounds a little too self-absorbed for anyone other than the Pope.

 

[tjmiller]

I’d heard rather that JP the Great went to Confession weekly. In order to implement personally the Constitutions of my Order, I try to go every other week, whether “feeling sinful” or not. Even should I have no guilt truly requiring absolution, I confess nonetheless, and am always illuminated with an outpouring of grace - which disposes me for contemplative prayer, and the practical discernment of God’s will. It’s like turning on the windshield wipers often, as I go down life’s grimy highway…Plus, it keeps me perpetually eligible to work on plenary indulgences! I highly recommend it.

 

[mercygate]

OK, here’s what the current Pope might confess every day:

"I know this is where God wants me, but Father, I REALLY didn’t WANT this job! I wish the lot had fallen to another man. I wanted to retire like a normal person, go live in a place where I can see my brother more often, say Mass, play a little pinochle, tend my garden, do a little spiritual direction, write, lecture now and then, be the revered elder statesman – on my own terms – read all the things I never had time to read before because I was too busy, and spend time with the Lord in peace. Instead, I have to get up every day and face THIS! And the worst part is that I know it will never end until I die. I will never have even the hope of drawing an unburdened breath in this life.

Father: pray for me that I may come to love this cross and not resent it."
But undoubtedly, His Holiness has already been given the grace not to have to make such a confession.

 

[wacky_wonderful]

Island Oak:

Perhaps instead of spending more time alone inside a box, you might entertain the idea of joining/volunteering with a group to expand your social circle, interests and connections with others. Daily confession sounds a little too self-absorbed for anyone other than the Pope.

I neglected to mention that I do volunteer work, but it is a solitary position, meaning that there is very infrequent contact with others. You’re right, I do have too much alone time.

 

[Katie1723]

Last week at RCIA, our priest told us that JP2 did indeed go to daily confession. I had to chuckle a bit as I wondered what he had to confess. Then I was thinking…he HAD to get annoyed at some of those under him once in a while. I mean he was human. And what if he didn’t want what he was given for a meal? Did he smile and say “yummy” ? Or did he, surreptitiously think “What, oatmeal AGAIN”? What about when he was on his long walks?? Was he thinking “I’d LOVE " to go incognito " in Rome just once. Darn it all anyway!”

Point being, he , like us , was human and prone to human foibles like the rest of us. I would suspect however that he also sought guidance for those in his flock.
~ Kathy ~

 

[thistle]

Mother Theresa also went to daily confession.

 

[Magicsilence]

The closer we draw to God, the more aware of our sins we are. You can interpret this as a sign of their holiness.

In Christ.

Andre.

 

[Brendan]

thistle:

Mother Theresa also went to daily confession.

Though I could not help but think of Bishop Fulton J. Sheen’s quote

“Hear the confessions of nun is like being stoned to death by popcorn”

But there is an incredibly valid reason for daily confession. It is a Sacrament, which means it’s a visable sign of God’s Grace. Not only do we recieve forgiveness of our sins, but equally important, we receive Grace to not fall into sin.

And everyone, Pope, priest, religious or lay, can benefit from recieving that Grace on a regular basis.

 

[hilde_the_dog]

Brendan I love that quote thanks

 

[Erich]

mercygate:

OK, here’s what the current Pope might confess every day:

“…play a little pinochle…”

That quote is probably funnier than you realize. Being Bavarian, the current Pope is no doubt familiar with the card game “Schafkopf”. (The official rules of Schafkopf as published by the Bayerische Schafkopf Verein, along with a full text English translation, are available online here).

One characteristic of Schafkopf is that, within each suit, the ten is ranked just above the king and just below the ace. I’ve never played pinochle, but I’m told that the “A-10-K” ranking is a characteristic of that game as well.

 

[mercygate]

Katie1723:

Last week at RCIA, our priest told us that JP2 did indeed go to daily confession. I had to chuckle a bit as I wondered what he had to confess. Then I was thinking…he HAD to get annoyed at some of those under him once in a while. I mean he was human. And what if he didn’t want what he was given for a meal? Did he smile and say “yummy” ? Or did he, surreptitiously think “What, oatmeal AGAIN”? What about when he was on his long walks?? Was he thinking “I’d LOVE " to go incognito " in Rome just once. Darn it all anyway!”

Point being, he , like us , was human and prone to human foibles like the rest of us. I would suspect however that he also sought guidance for those in his flock.

~ Kathy ~

Pius XII confessed daily; his confessor was a Servite Priest. I guess it’s a papal “thing”. If I told my confessor I wanted to see him every day, he would call 911.

My rule of life (Confraternity of Penitents) requires frequent confession, preferably bi-weekly, but at least monthly. When that point of discipline came up in my formation, I asked my confessor to make the decision – adding that I wanted to be generous, not stingy, in living our Rule. It took him about one microsecond to say: keep it monthly!

 

[Cradle]

You’re right, it is a papal “thing”. If you went to Confession daily, your priest would not be happy. In fact, he’d ORDER you to not go to Confession more than once a week. (I know this from experience… )