Tag Archives: confession

QUAERITUR: To whom should I write?

From a reader: I’m just returning from a confession where the priest used the words “He absolves” instead of “I absolve.” The priest was a Benedictine who is the pastor of a Diocesan parish. So do I write to the … Read More

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QUAERITUR: confession during Mass, not just before

In a comment under another entry, a reader asked: I have been told by some older folks that this was a very common practice at all Masses in years past. Is this no longer allowed in the NO Mass? Did … Read More

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How to deal with the pervasive problem of sacrilegious Communions

Over at Stella Borealis there is a good, common-sensical post which has … well… good common sense.   These things have been said here at WDTPRS before, but repetita iuvant! The biggest abuse at almost every parish is the nearly 100% … Read More

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QUAERITUR: recording my own confession

From a reader: Under stress, my mind goes blank. I find Confession really stressful, so therefore can not mentally absorb the advice of the priest nor remember hardly anything he says afterwards. I feel I am missing a lot of … Read More

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QUAERITUR: absolution without any confession

From a reader: There is a parish in our diocese that offers a rather unique penance service with no individual confession offered. A penance service is held and people simply file up in a line, say to the priest “I … Read More

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QUAERITUR: strange things for a First Confession

From a reader: My son recently made his first Confession as part of a Reconciliation service for his entire grade. While they did have individual confessions, there were parts that seemed illicit and possibly invalid. 1. No one was given … Read More

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QUAERITUR: cutting back confession hours before Christmas

From a reader: In the parish where I presently reside, it was announced today that the normal two hours of confessions heard on Saturdays, would be only one hour next week, and no more Saturday confessions before Christmas. The three … Read More

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Do your sins bug you?

Been to confession lately? Preachers often reach for analogies to help people understand spiritual realities. Here is a good one, picked up from Ironic Catholic. If you are squeamish, read this anyway whether it is fiction or not. New York, … Read More

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16 Comments

QUAERITUR: In mortal sin, but I have to go to Mass. What do I do? Fr. Z rants.

From a reader: I feel horrible I fell in to mortal sin today and I am supposed to go to Mass, what do I do? Why is this hard? You go to Mass anyway.  Just go.  If you shouldn’t receive … Read More

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QUAERITUR: priest adds a word to words of absolution

From a reader: Father, i went to confession this afternoon and instead of the usual “I absolve you from your sins…” the priest said instead, “I now absolve you from your sins…”. Was my confession valid? Yes, it was valid. … Read More

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