Tag Archives: sacrament of penance

A revert and the power of a good confession: “I left like a new man.”

From the site of my friend Marcus Grodi, the Coming Home Network Carlos Zamora was raised Catholic, and went to confession a few times, but never took it seriously. When he returned to the Church later in life, and finally … Read More

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A priest’s prayers before and after making his own confession

From an old prayerbook for priests which I’ve had since before my ordination.  They are dense with old wisdom. Here are two prayers, in Latin and English, for priests, for before and after they make confession their own confession. I’ve … Read More

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ASK FATHER: How to make a good confession, especially after many years

From a reader… QUAERITUR: Hello, Father. I have a request. Since you often exhort people to go to confession, and since many haven’t gone in years and have anxiety about the form it takes, what to do or what to … Read More

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Five short videos about CONFESSION from Bp. Hying of @MadisonDiocese

You might take some time to take in several of the daily videos from Bp. Donald Hying of Madison on a topic dear to this blog: the Sacrament of Penance. HERE GO TO CONFESSION! Here is the first of 5 … Read More

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ASK FATHER: The priest asked me what my penance should be

From a reader… QUAERITUR: I went to Confession yesterday, and the priest asked me to suggest a good penance for myself. I was completely taken aback. I hate vague penances like “give to the poor,” so I suggested three Hail … Read More

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ACTION ITEM: How you can help defend the Seal of Confession in California

Every once in a while, some legal case pops up whereby one side tries to undermine the Seal of Confession. These attempts usually go down in defeat. However, each time they are advanced, the needle is bumped ever so slightly … Read More

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Reminder to priests having the care of souls about hearing confessions: do it … or probably go to Hell.

My friend Fr. Martin Fox has a good post – directed at priests – about hearing confessions.  HERE I like his peroration… Yes, it’s hard work, especially when you’ve got lots of other things to do, and that’s certainly true … Read More

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ASK FATHER: How to break the bondage of bad habits, vices?

From a priest: QUAERITUR: Father, you stated: “Create a vacuum and something else will rush in to fill it. Think of this in our human, lived experience. If you have a bad habit, you will more than likely never break … Read More

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ASK FATHER: My mind goes blank just before confession

From a reader… QUAERITUR: I have a frustrating problem that has plagued me for years without fail. Throughout the week, all my faults and sins that a I’ve committed since my last confession ruminate through my mind clearly and distinctly. … Read More

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Two object lessons in how to avoid some serious sins.

My mail box is filled – as are my instant messages – with the “news” that 20 Catholic notables issued an open letter arguing that Francis has committed heresy by word, deed and omission.  I haven’t read the letter yet, … Read More

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