Who are you & how do you confess?

  • Thread starter Thread starter a_pilgrim
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
OUr priest actually recommends that the confession take place using a screen because the priest is not supposed to know who you are. He is not against face-to-face, but I think his stance makes sense.

For me, I use the screen because I just imagine Jesus sitting over there and guiding me. It just helps me to be more open and to be more free.
 
Always face-to-face. I have yet to see a confessional big enough for a claustrophobic to be comfortable in.
 
I voted “screen” because that is my usual – it’s the way our confessionals are set up – but I have gone a handful of times face to face. I can do both, but I prefer the symbolism of being on one’s knees before Christ. :gopray: I think our postures make a difference. It helps to take away the priest’s personality (even when I know him) and leaves me instead with the “alter Christus” who forgives my sins.
 
40.png
eistoob:
Always face-to-face. I have yet to see a confessional big enough for a claustrophobic to be comfortable in.
Click to expand...
Same here. I’ve only used the screen twice (and both times were loooonnnnng ago). I didn’t care for them - mostly because I, too, am claustrophobic. Also, I usually go to the same priest, and we use the time for spiritual direction as well.

John
 
I have always found that I am more relaxed with the extra anonymity that a screen provides. This allows me to make a better confession.

Saying that, when I go to confession at my parish, I do try to get a certain priest that gives a larger (longer?) :confused: penance.

PF
 
I am male and most frequently confess behind the screen, although I have no serious objection to face to face. If there were kneelers on both sides (our confessionals have a chair on the face to face side and a kneeler on the screen side) I would have no preferance at all. Our priests know me and my voice so well that I assume they know who it is. I have had our pastor adress me by name when I was on the screen side. It is not an issue with me. Charliemac
 
I prefer behind the screen even though I am sure Father knows it’s me by my voice. It’s hard enough to go to confession. At least the screen makes it a bit easier.
 
*I am a female, and prefer to face my Priest when I confess my sins. I never tried behind a screen and don’t feel that I ever want to. I feel much better face to face. And I know my priest. I think even if I didn’t know the Priest, I still would prefer to confess face to face. *

:gopray:
 
I have to say that I like the screen, there’s no way in the world that I would sit in front of someone and confess unless there was no choice(although I did on a few occasions, I travel for my job most of the year and sometimes don’t have a choice. I actually turned around, covered my eyes, and looked the other way the whole time.)

As a matter of fact, sometimes I go to a different parish than mine even when I’m home. (that is the nature of embarrassment, I suppose, but, I wonder, does anyone else do that?
 
I confess face to face in the confessional. At my parish, the confessional is like a little waiting room. There is a screen there with a kneeler, as well as a chair. The priest sits in a chair in such a way that as you come in, if he wants, he can just look up to see who’s there.
This makes the screen part of no use for annonimity (sp?).
I wish there was a kneeler for face to face confession though. It seems less reverant to me when I’m sitting in a chair… I’d much rather be kneeling to show my sorrows for my sins.
One good thing though, is when our priest gives absolution face to face, he will stand up and lay his hands onto my head while praying and forgiving.
 
I simply feel more comfortable at the screen. I like the kneeling posture for its penitence. I prefer the anonymity which in my personal opinion I feel is better for me, as with both confessor and confessee being hidden to sight or other physical sensory messages, the emphasis is on the SINS being confessed, and the absolution to be received from the priest THROUGH God. Thank goodness though that people are all different, and that God in His wisdom gives us the opportunity to confess and to be forgiven, no matter which way we choose to oblige ourselves of it.
 
I would have selected other but it wasn’t a choice.

The way we do Confession at the Melkite parish I attend is more of the Eastern way.

The penitent stands (or kneels) before the Icon of Christ on the Iconstatis with the priest standing next them them wearing the epitrachelion (stole). The priest places the epitrachelion over the head of the penitent who then confesses his/her sins.

So then, my pick should really be side-by-side.
 
40.png
rosarywarrior:
I prefer screened for various reasons. The number one reason I like screened best is because then I can imagine Jesus sitting there and I am more open to confessing without making excuses as to why I sinned.
Click to expand...
To me, face to face seems more like a conversation with Father. I prefer a screen. —KCT
 
I am male and prefer to use the screen. There are two reasons for this.
  1. The priest acts in persona Christi when hearing confession, and for my own part, it is easier to accept this mystery when you do not see the appearance of the priest, but just the voice. Personally I feel more like being in the presence of God (though not physical presence obviously) rather than being in the presence of another person.
  2. I know that we do not often think of confession from the point of view of the priest, but confession can often be a great burden for a priest. I remember reading that the Cure of Ars would pray to immediately forget everything that he had heard in the confessional. Particularly if it is a priest that you know and see often, the use of the screen might be less embarrassing for you, though in my opinion embarrassment is a good thing, but for the right reasons. If we fear God, we should be extremely sorry for our sins, and embarrassment before God doesn’t seem entirely inappropriate. However, it might also be easier for the priest who has to try and not allow what he hears in the confessional interfere with the way that he acts and thinks outside of the confessional.
Truly though, confession is one of the greatest gifts that God has given us. Either face-to-face or behind a screen, we must all take advantage of this sacrament while we still can. I urge everyone to go to weekly confessional if possible, but at least monthly confession, or if for a mortal sin, as soon as humanly possible. Do not delay a day. Fear of Hell is a powerful motivator.
 
Although most of my confessions have been face- to-face, I have to tell you that my best experience was the one time I went to confession at a Call to Holiness Conference, in Detroit. The priest was behind a sheet…There was no proper screen, because we were in a hotel…It was the best confession I have ever made, and I think it was because I was on my knees, and could concentrate on the fact that I was confessing before Christ…It was wonderful!
 
When I was a child I always went behind a screen because that was the only way to do it. Now that it is face-to-face I actually find my confession is more fruitful that way. When I go face to face I have noticed that there is not so much misunderstanding about the meanings of things I say and ask about, but when I go behind the screen sometimes the priest doesn’t seem to understand as well my intentions.

Perhaps I speak better with my face. I guess I have a real problem here, and I do prefer to speak to people face to face even over the telephone.

God bless!
 
JElane:
I don’t even know why I use the screen when I do with my parish priest. I go in, kneel down, say “hello father” and he says hello and calls me by name. JELane
Click to expand...
I am laughing out loud. That tickles me!
 
It is a long story but the first time I went face to face the priest and I were playing pool. That was back in 64.
 
I confess face to face. I don’t know. I’ve been doing it like this for a very long time. I’ve thought about the screen, but it doesn’t “feel” right. I actually feel more “at ease” face to face.

Jorge.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top