Tag Archives: reconciliation

QUAERITUR: Can I change my voice to fool the confessor?

From a reader: I have a problem. Whenever I go to confession (traditional screened booth), my confessors can recognize my voice, and sometimes indicate that they know it’s me. I abhor this with a deep purple abhorrence, and am now really self-conscious … Read More

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, ASK FATHER Question Box, GO TO CONFESSION, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000, Our Catholic Identity | Tagged , ,
32 Comments

Pope: Curial officials should hear confessions

From CNA: Pope urges Curial officials to hear confessions at local parish Vatican City, Dec 18, 2013 / 12:09 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- Pope Francis has strongly encouraged the bishops and cardinals of the Roman Curia to spend time hearing confessions … Read More

Posted in Francis, GO TO CONFESSION, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000 | Tagged , ,
18 Comments

GUEST POST: “…and my wife said, ‘But that’s a good thing!'”

From a reader: Since you like to hear of such things…my wife and I are “reverts”. For about a year now. Last year we made a pact to not miss mass for all of advent, which started us down the … Read More

Posted in GO TO CONFESSION, HONORED GUESTS | Tagged , ,
11 Comments

GUEST POST: Preaching about confession

From a transitional deacon: I’m an avid reader of the blog. I have noticed how often you mention confession in the blog and wanted to relay this short little bit of my experience this weekend. I’m a newly ordained transitional … Read More

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, Hard-Identity Catholicism, HONORED GUESTS, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000, Mail from priests, New Evangelization, Our Catholic Identity, Priests and Priesthood | Tagged , ,
21 Comments

QUAERITUR: I am not sure if I confessed this sin or not.

From a reader: I know you have a lot on confession here, but I can’t find an answer for my question. Several months ago I went back to the Church after 30 some years, and gave what I thought a good and thorough … Read More

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, ASK FATHER Question Box, GO TO CONFESSION, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000 | Tagged , ,
10 Comments

The fruits of my shouting at you and harassing.

This is the sort of note I live for: I hadn’t been to Confession in seven months because I had an uncomfortable experience with the priest afterward the last time and was nervous about going back. However, your endless repetition of GO TO … Read More

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, GO TO CONFESSION, HONORED GUESTS, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000, The Coming Storm | Tagged , ,
10 Comments

Pope Francis’ comments on homosexuality in the Big Interview

In the Big Interview (my first thoughts HERE), Pope Francis spoke on a range of issues, including homosexuality. The MSM and catholic left and the squishy center is running with Francis’s jump-out quotes (traddies could maybe call them “scare quotes”). … Read More

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, Francis, The Drill, What are they REALLY saying? | Tagged , , , , , ,
289 Comments

Confession tips, and notes about not receiving, or doing, the assigned penance.

GO TO CONFESSION! Now that I have that out of the way, I saw an incoming link from my friend, the great Fr. Finigan, His Hermeneuticalness, to my page Fr. Z’s 20 Tips For Making A Good Confession As I … Read More

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, GO TO CONFESSION, Hard-Identity Catholicism, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000, Mail from priests, New Evangelization, Our Catholic Identity | Tagged , ,
16 Comments

Sudden, Unprovided Death and You

Pray for the victims of the killer at the Navy Yard. Friends, this could be you. Please! Develop the good practice of examining your conscience every day and going to confession regularly. I implore you! Teach your children to examine their consciences and take … Read More

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, GO TO CONFESSION, Semper Paratus | Tagged , , ,
29 Comments

QUAERITUR: Can you confess in Latin?

From a reader: I know that the use of Latin is good for large international Masses (and for parish Masses, too…!), but what if, say, a priest and penitent didn’t speak the same language? Could a confession be made in … Read More

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, ASK FATHER Question Box, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000, Our Catholic Identity | Tagged , , ,
19 Comments

QUAERITUR: The Holy Spirit revealed to me that I’ve been an ass.

From a reader: I woke up this morning and had an epiphany from the Holy Spirit- I’m an ass. I don’t want to be one anymore, so I would like to confess this and amend my life ASAP. One problem. … Read More

Posted in GO TO CONFESSION, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000, Our Catholic Identity | Tagged , ,
30 Comments

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

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, ASK FATHER Question Box, Global Killer Asteroid Questions, GO TO CONFESSION, Our Catholic Identity | Tagged , , , , ,
20 Comments

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

Posted in Francis, GO TO CONFESSION, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000, New Evangelization, Our Catholic Identity | Tagged , , , , ,
4 Comments

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

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, GO TO CONFESSION, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000, Our Catholic Identity, Priests and Priesthood | Tagged , , , , ,
19 Comments

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

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, ASK FATHER Question Box, GO TO CONFESSION, Lighter fare | Tagged , , , ,
21 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

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, Francis, GO TO CONFESSION, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000, Our Catholic Identity | Tagged , , ,
10 Comments

Disasters, Death, and You

Terrible things happen to people through natural disasters or attacks or human error. We now see the images virtually in real time splashed on our screens. Misery, loss, pain come in the blink of an eye to people who, the … Read More

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, Semper Paratus, TEOTWAWKI | Tagged , , , , , , ,
24 Comments

READER FEEDBACK: Going to confession and first Traditional Latin Mass

From a reader down-under: Thank you for the work you do as I have learnt much from your blog. I have been to Confession twice recently, having put it off until the constant encouragement from you helped me to go. … Read More

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, Brick by Brick, GO TO CONFESSION, HONORED GUESTS, Just Too Cool, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000, New Evangelization, Our Catholic Identity, Reader Feedback | Tagged , ,
4 Comments

“My wife returned to confession last night for the first time in over a decade…”

From a reader: I wanted to share with you my great joys. My wife returned to confession last night for the first time in over a decade, and only the third time ever. On Saturday evening, I will be baptized and received … Read More

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, GO TO CONFESSION, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000, Our Catholic Identity | Tagged , ,
10 Comments

” After a 16 year absence I returned to the Sacrament of Holy Confession this evening.”

From a reader in my email: Message: Dear Fr. Z, My sincere thanks and gratitude to you for your ministry. After a 16 year absence I returned to the Sacrament of Holy Confession for the first time this evening. After … Read More

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, GO TO CONFESSION, HONORED GUESTS, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000, Our Catholic Identity | Tagged , , ,
55 Comments