Category Archives: GO TO CONFESSION

QUAERITUR: Do I have to add details when I confess sins?

From a reader: In confessing a sin is it necessary to describe (giving some details of) the sin rather than merely indicating the name (species) of the sin? You don’t have to go into great detail, but you ought to … Read More

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QUAERITUR: Confession – interpreters, eavesdroppers, secrecy and you

From a reader: Father, I spend a lot of time in Finland which has Europe’s smallest Catholic Church, [not to mention one of Europe’s oddest languages…] both in terms of absolute numbers and in terms of percentage of the population. … Read More

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Pope Francis on the Sacrament of Penance

Pope Francis in Rio, spoke to young people at the Copacabana beach. Inter alia, dixit: Dear young people: “Put on Christ” in your lives. In these days, Christ awaits you in his word; listen carefully to him and your heart … Read More

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QUAERITUR: Confirmed, but in state of sin. Am I confirmed?

From a reader: If a person is confirmed in Mortal Sin, does it ‘count’, or must he/she be conditionally re-confirmed. What you are asking is “Was the sacrament validly conferred?” or “Is she confirmed?” Yes.  The sacrament was validly confirmed and … Read More

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QUAERITUR: Priest asked me to say Act of Contrition after getting out of the confessional

From a reader: During Confession, the parochial vicar at my parish insists that I say the Act of Contrition after absolution, when I have left the confessional. So I say it in the pew prior to doing my penance. I … Read More

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Different confessional practices/customs around the world

Under another entry concerning “confessional etiquette” a commentator raised the good point that people from different language/ethnic backgrounds have different formulae for beginning and ending their sacramental confessions. Most Americans of a certain age learned to begin “Bless me Father, … Read More

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QUAERITUR: Confessional etiquette

From a reader: When going to confession, if you know the priest is a Monsignor (name plate on confessional) would you begin, “Forgive me, Monsignor, for I have sinned,” or stay with the simple, “Forgive me, Father, for I have … Read More

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VERY COOL PRIEST with a SUPER COOL IDEA for HARD IDENTITY Catholicism

Yes, this one got me a little excited. In the past I have posted about a very cool priest, Fr. Richard Heilman, pastor of glorious Pine Bluff, WI. You may recall that he founded a group called the Knights of … Read More

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, Brick by Brick, Fr. Z KUDOS, GO TO CONFESSION, Just Too Cool, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000, Our Catholic Identity, Priests and Priesthood, The future and our choices | Tagged , , , , , ,
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Wherein I write of Requiem Masses, of death and prudence and perennial wisdom

I had a useful and edifying experience today.  In a way what happened today dovetails with what I experienced a week or so ago when I carried the Blessed Sacrament for Corpus Christi in the streets of Manhattan.  But I’ll … Read More

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, Four Last Things, GO TO CONFESSION, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000, New Evangelization, Our Catholic Identity, SUMMORUM PONTIFICUM | Tagged , , , , ,
26 Comments

Pope Francis heard confessions in a parish before Mass

On several occasions Pope Francis has spoken about the importance of the Sacrament of Penance. Remember: Our Lord Himself established the Sacrament of Penance.  This is the ordinary means by which JESUS desires you to ask for forgiveness of sins. During … Read More

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