From a reader…
Dear Father Z,
I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart and soul for your constant exhortations to “Go To Confession.” It has taken me quite a while (years) to step up to the confessional but with the help of the Holy Spirit and your prayers, I finally did the deed on Holy Saturday. It has been an unbelievable and (hopefully, with prayers) life-changing blessing. Please keep up your so-very-necessary apostolate. You are in my special prayers, as is the priest who heard my confession.
With thanksgiving for Christ’s mercy and forgiveness,
Please, merciful God, let this reckoned against my Judgment, which could be at anytime according to Thy will.
If this blog has accomplished nothing else, I thank Christ the High Priest, Mary the Refuge of Sinners, and Joseph, Patron of the Church for the chance to bring people back to the confessional.
My Jesus, mercy.
Loading ...
Laudetur Jesus Christus!!!
I went to go press the *Like* button…
*LIKE*
I too thank you, Fr. Z: while I have never let it get to several years, I have gone to confession more timely because you repeatedly urge us and give us specific reasons that strike my mind and heart beneficially.
It is not hard to notice the difference between a parish where the priest(s) well urge the faithful to this sacrament, from those where the sacrament is neglected. Although there can be other reasons besides, parishes that close down for lack of parishioners and lack of vocations are prime examples: parishes with a lively sense of their sins, and God’s grace and forgiveness, can also be parishes with plenty of children, larger families (and extended families) going to mass, and vocations. (Have I just described most TLM parishes? Oh, gee, I wonder how coincidental that is! But there are NO parishes that thrive like that too.)
The salvation of even one soul is enough.
Love to see it!
Also grateful to you for your exhortation, Father Z! I held out for a year but I could hear your voice in my head.
I went on Wednesday of Holy Week and the Triduum and Easter have been a blessing to me.
If I find myself procrastinating or making excuses about it, I find it best not to debate the issue in my head, but just go – physically take myself to the venue at the right time – no matter what my disposition might feel like. The rest will follow if asked for. Guardian angels are powerful intercessors at such times. And prompts from priest bloggers are helpful too!