When Priest Gives No Spiritual Advice in Confession

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I read it as “week of the year”. I expect most people here will have done the same.
 
I was not so much downcast. 😛 I got my sins absolved. That’ the most important thing, obviously. I tend towards a lack of being grateful, I would say, and expecting things to be just so. I’m sure none of you ever do that. 🤔 Thanks for the replies everyone.
 
“Rushed” sacraments could be another topic all together, I would say. But I know what you’re saying. It was a very “concise” confession on Friday.
 
JamalChristophr said:
Am I expecting too much here or should I just go to a different priest if I didn’t like the way he heard my confession?
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I would yes to both parts

Does this happen to you in your past confessions?

Not usually but on occasion sometimes even when it was the same confessor.
 
The sacrament includes conversion, absolution and satisfaction. Advice is allowed but may be deemed unnecessary by the physician of the soul. What the OP described was no abuse of the sacrament.
 
pianistclare said:
onfession is confession. Not Spiritual Direction or counseling You’re blessed if they offer more and have the time but there’s nothing wrong with what he did.
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In truth, in and of itself is not for the pure expressive purpose of Spiritual Direction (I.e. Devotion, one’s vocation and discerning spirit, etc.) But then again, every encounter with the Church, the Sacraments, the Word, the Liturgy, and Prayer, are always full of spiritual insight and direction. Not as primary, but secondary role/call. Thus it cannot be helped. And, going into Confession seeking direction, cannot be helped either. That is part of the Church’s life, Sacrament, and Mission on the whole. Just think of Saint Phillip the Apostle and Eithopian Eunuch.
 
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JamalChristophr said:
“Be open to the spiritual graces of Holy Week”
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Advice doesn’t need to be lengthy. I think the above is a great piece of advice. Think about what this requires you to do. If there’s one particular area you’d like advice upon you can always say something like ‘I’m particularly struggling with X at the moment and would like some advice’ but remember queues are likely to be long and the advice will be short.
 
Am I expecting too much here or should I just go to a different priest if I didn’t like the way he heard my confession
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He heard your confession just fine. Your sins were absolved weren’t they?
 
The line was not short. As some alluded to, it was perhaps a form of triage.
 
My priest this week at mass said it perfectly. Confession is like ordering from a restaurant. Its say your sins and be forgiven, it isn’t counseling for priests to give you ten minutes while others wait in line. Of course, if you want to go into a much more detailed conversation with the priest, make an appointment. Especially with holy week, confessions are going to be busy and there just isn’t going to be ten minutes for everyone in line.
 
Timeflies2me said:
My priest this week at mass said it perfectly. Confession is like ordering from a restaurant. Its say your sins and be forgiven, it isn’t counseling for priests to give you ten minutes while others wait in line. Of course, if you want to go into a much more detailed conversation with the priest, make an appointment. Especially with holy week, confessions are going to be busy and there just isn’t going to be ten minutes for everyone in line.
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And, take priests as they are. And receive Absolution. The Sacraments work.
 
JamalChristophr said:
I have to confess this is something of a complaint
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Taking the old adage: when life gives you lemons, make lemonade.

You can look for parishes close to you, or reasonable distance online. Look at Mass times, and Confession times. Go to Mass at different parishes. I wouldn’t necessarily set yourself up as Jonah did looking at the Ninevites when going to those different parishes. But maybe have a Rosary in hand and pray during the Mass. Asking Mary, the Blessed, and the Saints to help you through it. Then if you hear a priest’s homily and see that the Liturgy are well within Orthodox structure that allows you to grow, you could then ask through grace of Christ at the altar to help you into the Sacrament of Confession. Then with discernment and examine of Conscience prepared to go, then go to Confession.

I wouldn’t try to judge the priest during and when the Sacrament is given. Take the Sacrament as he gives you, then go back to the Altar, even waiting after Mass is over. And thank Jesus for the moment. Then just pray to Jesus. Even ask for assistance through Mary with the Rosary. Just tug on the beads, as a child would her mantle. Just saying, help me to pray to your son. And that way, Mary will help you.

That’s generally how I pray. I never neglect if I see a priest, and can go to Confession.

It takes time. Not an easy task. And never, never, never, never (I wonder if this is enough “nevers” as Winston Churchill once said 🙂 ) But, never base your experience on your first Confession. You will easily give up. And may never go again. If you stumble and fall, get back up and go again.

Just some idea’s that might help when surveying and canvassing parish profiles online (i.e. What to look for that might help):

*Confession and Mass times - could be either/or, or both/and. More Mass times shows a good start. And, more Confession times also shows how integrated and more becoming the parish is for Salvation (I.e. It’s truly important.)

*Prayers, Devotions, Sacramental ministries. I had inadvertently made this distinction when looking where I could place prayer requests online. If there was something new age, somewhat heretical, or not having Adoration, or perhaps gave special attention to saving the environment with no prolife endeavoring, or the women religious tried to pour unsound doctrine (or priests, or lay people for that matter), I would avoid asking for prayers.

So as I went through that experience, I found a good, but not perfect measure for going to Confession and attending Mass.
 
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If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
I John 1:9
 
TheOldColonel said:
Some want a new Cadillac. Others prefer a '74 Pinto.
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Sir, leveling the accusation that a priest has violated the dignity of a sacrament is a very serious charge. Refraining from giving spiritual advice is not an abuse of the sacrament. The penitent was not rushed through his recitation of his sins, he does not say there was any neglect in giving absolution and he has not complained that he was given no penance. He was not given “short shrift.”

I would, however, remind the OP that it is OK to ask your confessor for advice, if that is what you want. It is OK to do that. He may not do that, but at the very least you’ll have let him know you’d welcome it.
 
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JamalChristophr said:
I went to confession on Friday, was the very first person in the line, and did not make a really long confession at all, but the priest basically said like 10 words, “Be open to the spiritual graces of Holy Week”, and then he absolved me.

Maybe I’m not used to going to confession enough, but it’s not very satisfying when you don’t get at least some little piece of encouragement or insight into your spiritual life concerning the sins you confessed etc.

I have to confess this is something of a complaint. Am I expecting too much here or should I just go to a different priest if I didn’t like the way he heard my confession? Does this happen to you in your past confessions? Seemed like it was just a race to get the confessions done as fast as humanly possible.
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That seems like a pretty good spiritual advice. Of course, it depends on the person’s grasp of the knowledge of the Holy Week and what it means to him.

Was it during a penitential service, considering that we are about to enter into Holy Week? If it is, the Confession would be even shorter and precise, because of the bigger number of penitants.

Have a blessed Holy Week.
 
Priests make mistakes all the time. You really shouldn’t be so hard on them. By the way, don’t sell that Pinto you’re driving. That is one hot car. 🚗🔥
 
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