Funny/touching Confession Stories

[Groo the Wanderer]

Went to confession yesterday. Father greeted me with the usual "How are you doing?" Being that I really needed confession my response was "Horrible." Father said "Good. That's good"

He quickly realized his response was habitual since most folks normally respond with "fine" and quickly followed up with " Oh wait. That's not good at all is it?" We had a quick chuckle then got down to business.




Next time, I think I should use Dave Ramsey's line: Better than I deserve!

[Theologian in Training]

[quote name='FPCthegreat' post='1688130' date='Oct 28 2008, 04:47 PM']well i locked a jehovah witness out side of my house telling them I'd be there in a minute, (did you know they will wait for hours for you to answer the door again even if its pooring rain). when i confessed to my priest he laughed and gave my a hi-five for the orignality. then told me to call him over next time they come. then i had to do 1 hail mary and 1 our Farther[/quote]

[Theologian in Training]

[quote name='Jevitt' post='1688196' date='Oct 28 2008, 06:08 PM']Has anyone ever noticed that the almost universal penance is "Pray a Hail Mary." "Pray 3 Hail Mary's." or "Pray 1 Our Father and 1 Hail Mary"

Well, my girlfriend did this thing with her church one day where she gained a plenary indulgence, however her priest didn't have time to hear everyone's confession that morning, so he asked my girlfriend the last time she had been to confession, and then told her that since she had gone a week ago as long as she wasn't in a state of mortal sin she was good.

So anyway, my girlfriend was a little uncomforatable with what he said and wanted to go to confession anyway. So that night I picked her up at her house to come back to my house for dinner, and we stopped at a church for her to go to confession (I had gone on the way to her house!) But I told her "You know, you're probably going to get a penance like 'Pray 3 Hail Mary's'." Well, of course THAT was her penance! Haha.[/quote]

Usually, it depends on the sin, but it is not easy coming up with a penance for each person. I try to be as "individual" as possible, but sometimes you get the feeling that they actually need to be praying the Hail Mary. That is where discernment is important in the confessional, at least for the priest.

[Theologian in Training]

[quote name='missionseeker' post='1689101' date='Oct 30 2008, 01:53 AM']One time I got the penance "Sit in front of the tabernacle and think about how much God loves you" It was one of the toughest penances I ever got.[/quote]

That is why it is called Penance, it is meant to be difficult, in order to show repentance you have to be willing to not just show it in the confessional but willing to undertake the steps to show it in your life.

[Theologian in Training]

[quote name='Darky' post='1689168' date='Oct 30 2008, 06:52 AM'][color="blue"]My stories are more frustrating than funny.

The local parish priest offers confession only on Saturday morning at 10am. I turned up about 10:30 and he was just sitting in his office. The confession took place in his office (The confessional at the church turned into a small storage room) I tried confessing my sins just mentioning what they are, and with every single sin he made up an excuse for them saying they are not sins but 'curiosity' or something else... I was like "Wha? " I gave up in the end and he was just getting frustrated with me, then he absolved me and told me it's childish to mention and list my sins. Apparently what I should do is only say"I've not been living to Christian standards" and that's it. *sigh* He also told me that our sins are forgiven at mass so there is no need to go to confession unless it is a mortal sin, and a mortal sin is very, very hard sin to commit so I barely have to worry about it.

On another occasion at WYD I saw a priest before a catechesis. It was VERY noisy in the church because there was music, song and dance so we had trouble hearing each other lol. Again the priest said along the same lines of don't go to confession unless its a mortal sin. I'm incredibly lost... can someone help me here on WHEN and HOW I should go to confession and with what sins???

Thanks
Darky [/color][/quote]

I never like hearing these types of stories. You have to ask who is the one doing the confessing and who is the one that is trying to justify the guilt? It is possible he thought you might have been a little scrupulous, but still, it is not just a moment of forgiveness but mercy and compassion, the priest is the instrument and the less he "does" the better.

You need to find a priest who is sensitive to someone with your type of conscience because then he would understand how venial sins can work against you just as much as mortal sins. Granted, venial sins can be forgiven without confession, but what of those that you hold on to, and need to confess in order to truly "let go." You can say, my impatience will be forgiven or you can confess it and give it no power whatsoever. By naming the sin, whether venial or mortal, we give it less power, and if your struggle is with venial sin, left unchecked it could lead to mortal sin. It seems a lot of priests don't like to make that correlation.

I am not trying to make you scrupulous and encouraging you to run out and confess, but the next time you are in the confessional, you might also speak about those venial sins and how you feel that they impede your spiritual progress.

I have a theory which may or may not be true, but since venial sin is a form of attachment and sometimes we don't want to let go of that ingrained attachment, left unchecked, just like anything, we can "stack them up" if you stack it too high, what happens? It either falls and buries us, or makes it easier to look at other sins, mortal sins as more appealing. Small sins can become big if we let them. In fact, I once heard a talk by a priest who came to the conclusion that sometimes venial sins can wreak more havoc than mortal sins. Of course, he was speaking from a perspective of a person who was struggling with the venial sins more than the mortal.

One last thing, something else that always bothers me is when people are afraid to list their sins thinking they are rattling off a "laundry list." I don't like to look at it in that way but, rather, as those things that weigh on your conscience, they may present themselves as a "list" but they are more naming in succession different types of things that go from most heavy to least. We cannot help but to list them, because there is more than one thing that holds us down, it is only natural. By saying "I did not live a Christian life," we are being very ambiguous and allowing the sins to have their hidden power, because when they are left unnamed they are also still able to elude us. However, when we name them we put them in the spotlight, in God's "Light" and they grow weaker, as a result.

Hope that helps

Fr. Brian

Edited November 2, 2008 by Theologian in Training

[Slappo]

Thanks Fr. Brian!


I've been to confession well over a hundred times probably now, and I think the things I find weirdest are that I STILL get nervous standing in line for confession when its almost my turn, no matter how long or hard I examine my conscience and how hard I try to remember everything to tell the priest, about half of the sins I was just thinking about are forgotten the moment I walk into the confessional and I never remember to confess them.

Good thing they're still forgiven! I always remember any mortal sins too. I think God gives that grace to people.

[Selah]

I get nervous too. When it's my turn, I am always like, "are you sure?" But it ends up being okay in the end

[Brigid]

[quote name='Groo the Wanderer' post='1691574' date='Nov 2 2008, 11:25 AM']Next time, I think I should use Dave Ramsey's line: Better than I deserve! [/quote]


so THAT'S where my dad got it. he uses that line all the time.

[Darky]

[quote]It is possible he thought you might have been a little scrupulous, but still, it is not just a moment of forgiveness but mercy and compassion, the priest is the instrument and the less he "does" the better.[/quote]

[color="blue"]I attempt to go to confession at least once a year and that's about it. I've read from sources that we're required to go at least once a year however other sources states "if commited serious sin in that time" so I'm not entirely sure. I'm more paranoid if I don't go at least once a year just in case it turns into mortal sin/excommunication.
At the time of confession though, I thought some of my sins were serious but that's when the priest said it was 'curiosity' or something else. Regardless I'm not due to expire until 18th July next year, so I am safe until then.

Thanks Father.

Darky [/color]

[Saint Therese]

I went to confession onSaturday. It was awesome. Father was very encouraging.

[CoffeeCatholic]

[quote name='Darky' post='1692091' date='Nov 3 2008, 03:14 AM'][color="blue"]I attempt to go to confession at least once a year and that's about it. I've read from sources that we're required to go at least once a year however other sources states "if commited serious sin in that time" so I'm not entirely sure. I'm more paranoid if I don't go at least once a year just in case it turns into mortal sin/excommunication.
At the time of confession though, I thought some of my sins were serious but that's when the priest said it was 'curiosity' or something else. Regardless I'm not due to expire until 18th July next year, so I am safe until then.

Thanks Father.

Darky [/color][/quote]

You're required to go at least once a year during the lenten season as one of the precepts of the church, regardless of what sins you have committed, mortal or no.

Other precepts which you must follow to be a Catholic in good standing:

Go to mass every Sunday and on other Holy days of obligation (assumption, Mother of God, etc)
Receive Communion at least 1x a year, preferably during the Easter season
Tithe- with your time, talent AND treasure
And fast/abstain on days required by the church (Good friday, Ash Wednesday, etc.)

[CatholicCid]

[quote name='CoffeeCatholic' post='1692300' date='Nov 3 2008, 01:17 PM']You're required to go at least once a year during the lenten season as one of the precepts of the church, regardless of what sins you have committed, mortal or no.

Other precepts which you must follow to be a Catholic in good standing:

Go to mass every Sunday and on other Holy days of obligation (assumption, Mother of God, etc)
Receive Communion at least 1x a year, preferably during the Easter season
Tithe- with your time, talent AND treasure
And fast/abstain on days required by the church (Good friday, Ash Wednesday, etc.)[/quote]

Could you quote the actual precept? A friend I was looking this up just out of curiosity, and I think we were using the catechism, which included once a year, if you are in mortal sin.

[Knight of the Holy Rosary]

I remember I was at a local parish when I was 12 years old and saw someone walk out of the confessional and thought to myself...I think I should go to.
I went in and I was so nervous (as I always was for confession then) I started to immediately rattle off my sins from a memorized list I had composed before going in. I sat in silence and waited for Father to say something. He never did...because thier was no one on the other side of the screen.

Apprently the lady that came out had just left something in the room.

[philothea]

[quote name='CatholicCid' post='1692337' date='Nov 3 2008, 01:33 PM']Could you quote the actual precept? A friend I was looking this up just out of curiosity, and I think we were using the catechism, which included once a year, if you are in mortal sin.[/quote]
That "once a year no matter what" was a universal precept for hundreds of years.

However, nowadays in the american church, it is only required if one is conscious of mortal sin. At least, that's what I've been able to find.

Always hard to be clear on these things when there are lots of old catechisms still floating around. Not like they have an expiration on them.

[Slappo]

[quote name='CoffeeCatholic' post='1692300' date='Nov 3 2008, 09:17 AM']You're required to go at least once a year during the lenten season as one of the precepts of the church, regardless of what sins you have committed, mortal or no.

Other precepts which you must follow to be a Catholic in good standing:

Go to mass every Sunday and on other Holy days of obligation (assumption, Mother of God, etc)
Receive Communion at least 1x a year, preferably during the Easter season
Tithe- with your time, talent AND treasure
And fast/abstain on days required by the church (Good friday, Ash Wednesday, etc.)[/quote]

Yeah, please quote it if you can. I'm 99% sure that confession once a year does not have a specific time frame (such as lent, even though lent is recommended it is not required as far as I know).

Also, I've heard (not sure on this though) that you don't have to go to confession once a year if you aren't in mortal sin. On another note. If you aren't in mortal sin for a straight year, you must be living a decently devout life in which case you probably go to confession on a regular to semi-regular basis anyways.

[dominicansoul]

Confession in the convent can be downright hilarious.

One year, we were hosting a pre-postulancy week. We had a very good friend, an old Dominican friar, give a class for the week. He can be rather frumpy and short-tempered. But we "oldies" were used to him. The pre-postulants weren't! Father can be pretty dominating and horrifying, but we know him, and we can take his personality with a chuckle. We novices could laugh about, but the pre-postulants were more or less scarred! I started to think, despite the fact that he's excellent in his field of study, maybe the choice of having him for the week wasn't such a good idea!

Friday afternoon, during our weekly confessions, I was standing in confession line with 6 or 7 pre-postulants. We had about 4 priests helping our chaplain that week, so there were several confessionals to choose from. I noticed the pre-postulants discussing amongst themselves quietly, and one approached me asking,"Is Fr. X (the Dominican friar) hearing confession in this line?" When I said he was, ALL of them moved to other lines!

It was funny in that it was an automatic response from all of them, and to see their faces! I knew we were in for some hilarity when these girls entered!

[CatholicCid]

Here is part of the Code of Canon Law:
Can. 989 After having reached the age of discretion, each member of the faithful is ob-liged to confess faithfully his or her grave sins at least once a year.

I believe this might be what my friend and I looked up. If you don't have any grave sins, then one wouldn't need to confess was our conclusion.

However, as Slappo pointed out, it's basically a hypothetical since I sure know that doesn't apply to me

[Slappo]

[quote name='CatholicCid' post='1692365' date='Nov 3 2008, 11:12 AM']Here is part of the Code of Canon Law:
Can. 989 After having reached the age of discretion, each member of the faithful is ob-liged to confess faithfully his or her grave sins at least once a year.

I believe this might be what my friend and I looked up. If you don't have any grave sins, then one wouldn't need to confess was our conclusion.

However, as Slappo pointed out, it's basically a hypothetical since I sure know that doesn't apply to me[/quote]


It also states no obligation for confession during the lenten season. Some assume lenten season since you are required to receive holy communion during the easter season. The lenten season is also a penitential season and therefore the sacrament of penance or confession is highly advised.

[Slappo]

[quote name='dominicansoul' post='1692364' date='Nov 3 2008, 11:11 AM']Confession in the convent can be downright hilarious.

One year, we were hosting a pre-postulancy week. We had a very good friend, an old Dominican friar, give a class for the week. He can be rather frumpy and short-tempered. But we "oldies" were used to him. The pre-postulants weren't! Father can be pretty dominating and horrifying, but we know him, and we can take his personality with a chuckle. We novices could laugh about, but the pre-postulants were more or less scarred! I started to think, despite the fact that he's excellent in his field of study, maybe the choice of having him for the week wasn't such a good idea!

Friday afternoon, during our weekly confessions, I was standing in confession line with 6 or 7 pre-postulants. We had about 4 priests helping our chaplain that week, so there were several confessionals to choose from. I noticed the pre-postulants discussing amongst themselves quietly, and one approached me asking,"Is Fr. X (the Dominican friar) hearing confession in this line?" When I said he was, ALL of them moved to other lines!

It was funny in that it was an automatic response from all of them, and to see their faces! I knew we were in for some hilarity when these girls entered![/quote]

[Theologian in Training]

[quote name='Darky' post='1692091' date='Nov 3 2008, 02:14 AM'][color="blue"]I attempt to go to confession at least once a year and that's about it. I've read from sources that we're required to go at least once a year however other sources states "if commited serious sin in that time" so I'm not entirely sure. I'm more paranoid if I don't go at least once a year just in case it turns into mortal sin/excommunication.
At the time of confession though, I thought some of my sins were serious but that's when the priest said it was 'curiosity' or something else. Regardless I'm not due to expire until 18th July next year, so I am safe until then.

Thanks Father.

Darky [/color][/quote]

We are never "safe" because the nature of sin is not predictable, what we may have been able to avoid yesterday we may not have the same strength to do so today.

The rule of Confession once a year falls under the "Easter Duty," confession, Mass, etc. However, if you feel as though you are in the state of mortal sin, I would certainly not wait for a year before confessing those sins. Besides, frequent confession never hurt anyone, in fact, in many cases, it helps them to grow in grace.