“Your continuous plugs for going to confession finally wore me down.”

Posted on 6 October 2011 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

From a reader:

I read your blog everyday, sometimes twice (!), and your continuous plugs for going to confession finally wore me down. I went to confession for the first time in four years several weeks ago, and I returned to the confessional this past weekend. I am fortunate to have found a confessor who doesn’t monkey around with the words of absolution, and for this I am grateful.

I fell into the rut of feeling like I would simply fall back into
patterns of sin. However, what I have realized with frequent
confession is that I get the strength I need to not fall into patterns
of sin. Being able to receive communion is also a great source of
comfort, nourishment, and strength.

Thanks for your good work.

My work here is done!

About Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

Fr. Z is the guy who runs this blog. o{]:¬)
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6 Comments

  1. Cristero says:
    6 October 2011 at 4:24 PM

    Praise God, but your work is nowhere done, Father, and for that we should praise God again.

  2. RichR says:
    6 October 2011 at 4:42 PM

    Our priests are preaching confession, and they are also making themselves available every Wednesday evening and Saturday afternoon for hearing confessions.

    I think that many priests today fall into the trap of primarily becoming an administrator. Hearing confessions reminds them of their unique and most precious gift that they give to humanity: reincorporation into God’s family.

  4. jfk03 says:
    6 October 2011 at 8:31 PM

    One cannot defeat the evil one without God’s grace. Habits of sin are difficult to overcome but the sacraments of penance and the eucharist provide the means to victory.

  5. K_Suzanne says:
    7 October 2011 at 2:25 AM

    This post inspired me to keep “nagging” (gently…but persistently) a particular person in my life about Confession. Thanks, Fr. Z and the reader who wrote to you.

  6. Will D. says:
    7 October 2011 at 12:32 PM

    However, what I have realized with frequent
    confession is that I get the strength I need to not fall into patterns
    of sin.

    This has been my experience as well, having resumed regular confessions after a long time in the wilderness. The grace conferred by the Sacrament of Reconciliation and the grace conferred by the Blessed Sacrament have made a phenomenal difference in my ability to resist temptation.

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