Category Archives: GO TO CONFESSION

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

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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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A New Year. Remembering past injuries. Clinging to past sins. The Purification of Memory

A the beginning of a new civil calendar year, quite a few people are moved (at least for a while) to assess their lives and resolve (at least for a while) to make some changes.  These changes are mostly about … Read More

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ASK FATHER: Friends returning to the Church say they can receive Communion without going to confession first

From a reader… QUAERITUR: After a number of years away from the faith of my childhood, I made the decision to return to the Catholic church.  After attending a few masses, my heart longed to receive the Eucharist, so I … Read More

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Pope Benedict XVI – Requiescat in pace

I was privileged to have known him well before his election. His loss is a personal loss. Apart from his contributions as a priest, prefect and theologian, two of his accomplishments as Pope stand out for me. Summorum Pontificum – … Read More

Posted in Benedict XVI, GO TO CONFESSION, Pope of Christian Unity, SUMMORUM PONTIFICUM |
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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

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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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ACTION ITEM! Form of absolution to CHANGE in 2023. OPPORTUNITY: Inform priests who have been screwing around with the form of absolution.

Because I continue to get question in my email about bizarre things that priests do to the FORM OF ABSOLUTION, it is good to remind everyone that in 2023 the Novus Ordo form of absolution in English is to change.  There … Read More

Posted in ACTION ITEM!, GO TO CONFESSION, Hard-Identity Catholicism, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000, Save The Liturgy - Save The World | Tagged ,
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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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