Tag Archives: sacrament of penance

A reader returns to confession after 15 years

From a reader: Your discussions of Confession helped me go to Confession for the first time in 15 years. It was a wonderful experience. I did memorize the Act of Contrition but I stumbled over it. Father helped me through … Read More

Posted in GO TO CONFESSION, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000, Non Nobis and Te Deum, Our Catholic Identity | Tagged , ,
32 Comments

Penances assigned in confession, memorization, and helping people be less afraid. Wherein Fr. Z rants.

I have in the past ranted that priests, when hearing confessions, do well to give simple penances which people can do immediately and then know they are completed. I have been to confession to priests who assign something too complicated, … Read More

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

QUAERITUR: Too many people for confession. Priest gives General Absolution.

From a reader: This past Saturday afternoon, I went to confession (or, rather, I tried to go to confession). The good news is that the line was full of penitents. There were at least 25 people waiting in front of … Read More

Posted in "But Father! But Father!", "How To..." - Practical Notes, ASK FATHER Question Box, GO TO CONFESSION, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000, The Drill | Tagged , , , , ,
47 Comments

A reader’s First Confession report!

From a readerette: I know you are always urging people to go to Confession, so I thought you might like my first confession report. You can share this with readers. How did it go? Not as scary as advertised! I … Read More

Posted in HONORED GUESTS, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000, Non Nobis and Te Deum | Tagged , ,
6 Comments

Ever experience a priest who doesn’t say the correct words of absolution? UPDATE

I get reams of email from people who, during confession, run into priests who don’t (or won’t) say the proper words of absolution, thus throwing them into doubts about whether or not they were validly absolved. Under another entry I … Read More

Posted in GO TO CONFESSION, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000, Our Catholic Identity, SESSIUNCULA, The Campus Telephone Pole | Tagged , , , , ,
91 Comments

QUAERITUR: Act of Contrition in Latin. Okaaayyy.

Every once in a while I get an email asking for the Act of Contrition in Latin. I am not sure why one would want to say her Act of Contrition in Latin.  It seems to me that the Act … Read More

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

QUAERITUR: Priest ad libs words of absolution

From a reader: I have never worried about the words of absolution in confession before, but after coming to know that many of your readers worry about whether or not their sins have been forgiven due to the form variations, … Read More

Posted in ASK FATHER Question Box, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000, Our Catholic Identity | Tagged , , ,
25 Comments

Reader Feedback about going to confession

From a reader: Dear Fr Z Until today, I had not been to confession (and therefore not taken Communion) this calendar year. My spiritual life was decaying and I was “lapsing”, having lost trust and hope in the saving grace … Read More

Posted in Four Last Things, GO TO CONFESSION, HONORED GUESTS, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000, Our Catholic Identity | Tagged , , , , , , ,
12 Comments

Feedback from a reader about confession

From a reader: Hello Father! Thank you for your constant reminders about confession…I had been in a state of mortal sin for 3 weeks and every Reconciliation time somehow never happened…not being able to receive the Eucharist was a source … Read More

Posted in Fr. Z KUDOS, GO TO CONFESSION, HONORED GUESTS, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000, Our Catholic Identity | Tagged , ,
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QUAERITUR: Writing sins on a card and burning it instead of confession.

Please use the sharing buttons!  Thanks! From a readerette: I went to church this wednesday to a Lent conference. The guest Father organized a “write your sins in a card, be absolved and burn your sins” ceremony. Is my understanding … Read More

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, ASK FATHER Question Box, Four Last Things, GO TO CONFESSION, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000, Our Catholic Identity, Priests and Priesthood, The Drill, The future and our choices | Tagged ,
42 Comments