Tag Archives: sacrament of penance

ASK FATHER: Validity of absolution and reception of Communion in the state of grace

In light of several missives I’ve received – probably because of news about a recent confusing document – I reiterate hereunder what the Church holds to be true about the Sacrament of Penance, or Reconciliation. From Ott’s Fundamentals of Catholic … Read More

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You, dear reader, have an immortal soul.

You, dear reader, have an immortal soul. One of the most important things we pray in the Litany of Saints … those who know and use only the Novus Ordo perhaps have never heard this… is “A subitanea et improvisa … Read More

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VIDEO about making a good confession with some additional notes

I stumbled across a video which presents a sermon on how to behave before during and after making a sacramental confession. There is some good advice in the sermon, particularly about the need to examine one’s conscience and the confess … Read More

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Fr. Z’s 20 Tips For Making A Good Confession – in SPANISH

Many years ago I posted Fr. Z’s 20 Tips For Making A Good Confession If you are nervous about making a confession, or perhaps afraid, use these tips. I hope they will be helpful. I was recently contacted by a … Read More

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ASK FATHER: After being away for years, I went to confession but I forgot something.

From a reader… QUAERITUR: I recently got over myself and went to confession after being away from the sacramental life of the church for a number of years. I then realized that I had not confessed the fulfillment of my … Read More

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ASK FATHER: “I am in need of confession and I feel to embarrassed to speak to my church face to face.”

From a reader… QUAERITUR: Hello Father , I am in need of confession and I feel to embarrassed to speak to my church face to face. I am asking for a chance to rid myself of these thorns that won’t … Read More

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, ASK FATHER Question Box, Cri de Coeur, GO TO CONFESSION | Tagged ,
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Sign posted on confessional door: “GET TO THE POINT!” Wherein Fr. Z rants.

I saw this photo on Twitter. I post just the photo and not the link because of the off-color remark that accompanied it, surely motivated by disgust. I’m not precisely sure what motivated the off-color remark about this sign. Several … Read More

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, GO TO CONFESSION, Our Catholic Identity | Tagged ,
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ASK FATHER: I just learned we have to confess mortal sins in kind and NUMBER. But I haven’t been doing that. I don’t want to go to Hell.

From a reader… QUAERITUR: I have recently learned I believe several years ago then when going to confession one must confess mortal sins by kind and “x” times #. Well, I don’t think I’ve ever done that until I found … Read More

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ASK FATHER: Francis said priests must NEVER deny absolution. True? Wherein Fr. Z rants.

I’m getting a lot of questions about something that Francis said to seminarians from Barcelona.  Story at the Catholic Herald HERE. As the tale goes, Francis delivered profanity-studded “off the cuff” remarks to seminarians, including “not to be clerical, to forgive everything”, adding … Read More

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, ASK FATHER Question Box, GO TO CONFESSION, Hard-Identity Catholicism, SESSIUNCULA, Wherein Fr. Z Rants | Tagged , , , ,
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URGENT! ALL PRIESTS… ALL PENITENTS GOING TO CONFESSION… ACTION ITEM!

I received this email. First, let me say… GO TO CONFESSION! That means PRIESTS too! Next, use my tips for making a good confession. HERE Now… I received this email. Good afternoon, Father. In the middle of a recent confession, … Read More

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, ACTION ITEM!, Four Last Things, GO TO CONFESSION | Tagged ,
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ASK FATHER: “I absolve you from THESE sins…”. Valid?

From a reader… QUAERITUR: I went to confession and the words said by the priest for absolution were “I absolve you from these sins” etc. Would this absolution be valid? Thank you for going to confession.  KEEP GOING. This is … Read More

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ASK FATHER: Confession by checklist because of no common language

From a reader… QUAERITUR: Fr, I went to confession at a Catholic church in France that gets pilgrims from around the world. Because of the many languages of the penitents there was a checklist in the confessional with a wide variety of sins translated … Read More

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ASK FATHER: “I have often felt used and abused spiritually, psychologically and emotionally by bitchy, nosy, petty, likely psychopathic/narcissist church people.”

From a reader… QUAERITUR: I have often felt used and abused spiritually, psychologically and emotionally by bitchy, nosy, petty, likely psychopathic/narcissist church people. What was once a naive and blind trust and obedience was crushed by the sadistic cackling of … Read More

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ASK FATHER: I failed to do my confession penance. Now what?

From a reader… QUAERITUR: I went to confession the other day to get back into the state of grace with the plan to get my spiritual life back in order after slacking and falling into habitual mortal sin during the … Read More

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ASK FATHER: The words of absolution during confession in Latin?

From a reader… QUAERITUR: Given that Traditionis has prevented the faithful in some areas from continuing to experience the old ritual forms for the Sacraments, the question arose; what is the approved Latin for the Ordinary Form prayer of absolution … Read More

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NCReg: In 2023 the Form of Absolution Will Change for US Catholics.

NCReg: The Prayer of Absolution Will Change for US Catholics in 2023. Here’s How […] The Catholic bishops of the United States in 2021 voted in favor of the new translation of the prayer, with 182 votes in favor, 6 … Read More

Posted in GO TO CONFESSION, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000 | Tagged ,
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ASK FATHER: Monsignor didn’t use the exact form of absolution

From a reader… QUAERITUR: I’ve confessed to a particular priest twice, and both times, he didn’t use the exact formula of absolution.  Both times, he did the following things: 1) he omitted the line “and sent the Holy Spirit among … Read More

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ASK FATHER: Priest omits some of the words of absolution. Valid?

From a reader… QUAERITUR: Father, if the confessor forgot say “IN THE NAME” in absolution formula, is the sacrament VALID? But, the confessor makes the sign of the cross. Again we have some jackass who doesn’t use the proper “form” … Read More

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ASK FATHER: Priest berated me for confessing venial sins and then used the wrong form of absolution. What should I do?

From a reader… QUAERITUR: I recently attempted to make a good confession. Aside from the fact that the priest literally berated me for confessing “venial sins” which he said “have no place in the confessional”, after my act of contrition … Read More

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, 1983 CIC can. 915, ASK FATHER Question Box | Tagged , , ,
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A rabbit ran under the wheels of my car. Wherein Fr. Z rants.

The other day I was on my way home from a social engagement and a rabbit ran under my wheels. I did not mourn for the rabbit.   I wasn’t happy about it, but I wasn’t especially sad either.  I couldn’t … Read More

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