Posted on 07/02/2005 5:03:35 AM PDT by NYer
Why don't Catholics go to confession any more or, more precisely, why do so many go so seldom? Here is an old problem that doesn't seem to be getting better. Evidently we need to dig deeper into its causes and solutions.
In this "I'm okay; you're okay" world, it is not surprising that many catholics no longer recognize their actions as sins. That said, a solid homily on what constitutes sin would also be useful.
For those who need a refresher course, start here:
I don't understand why some Catholics avoid going to confession. I look forward to it.
I guess it's just another thing I'll get to scratch my head over. Maybe a cradle Catholic can better understand it.
I'm hoping to get to confession today! My plan is once a month but I'm averaging every other month. It's better than the 10 year plan I was on several years ago! I love going to confession now even though I still feel anxious before I enter the confessional.
I truly believe that many catholics no longer recognize their actions as sin. Several months ago, our pastor related how someone approached him to go to confession. The individual went down a list of other's faults, acknowledging that he had never done these. IOW, his (or her) understanding of sin was predicated on the faults of others, for which he (or she) was not guilty. After completing the list, Father told the individual that he/she had given him nothing to absolve.
For some, it's easier to see the faults of others and thank God for not being in that state of sin. Hence the posted link which gives a very thorough examination of conscience.
One suggestion that makes good sense is to do a daily examination of conscience. In this way, one is more aware of their faults than to wait 6 months or so and then try to recall their sins. Your approach of monthly or bi-monthly confession is far better.
"I truly believe that many catholics no longer recognize their actions as sin."
I saw a T-shirt being worn by a teenage girl yesterday. The caption said "It's All About Me."
Offensive, but brutally honest.
We're reaping the harvest of a culture that has taught it's children to have high self-esteem but not given them the theological basis for it.
Right here on FR -- with many choices of lists to ponder. With an imprimatur!!
What does this mean, please?
Simony is usually defined "a deliberate intention of buying or selling for a temporal price such things as are spiritual of annexed unto spirituals". While, this definition only speaks of purchase and sale, any exchange of spiritual for temporal things is simoniacal. Nor is the giving of the temporal as the price of the spiritual required for the existence of simony; according to a proposition condemned by Innocent XI (Denzinger-Bannwart, no. 1195) it suffices that the determining motive of the action of one party be the obtaining of compensation from the other.
Simony
It is hard for me to believe I, who was raised to Confess the old school way, am now going to a priest and confesing face-face, standing.
He is a very kind priest and I felt closer to Christ in this Confession than I ever have.
It is amazing what happens sometimes
Thank you!!!! for posting that comment about your experience at confession today.
There are some truly extraordinary and holy priests in our midst; we need to overcome all compunctions about confessing sins and bring them to these priests.
Beginning the absolution, the Priest placed his hands on my forehead.
What a marvelous experience you had; no doubt you will return to him in the future. The action of placing his hands on your forehead is extraordinary; much like Christ who spit into the dirt and placed it over the eyes of the blind man. This is a tangible connection to forgiveness.
Though nothing to compare to yours, I had a similar experience with my Maronite pastor the first time I attended Reconciliation at our parish. We sat side by side. At the end of my confession, he told me he would pray for me and asked for my prayers for him. It was such a beautiful experience. I have prayed for him every day ever since and will do so until I die. It takes only one priest to alter our negative perceptions and remind us of Christ's love for us.
Thank you again, for your post!
It is so easy to fall into this trap. "They're guilty of sin but not me".
Although Individual Confession and Forgiveness has fallen into terrible disuse among Lutherans, pronouncing the Absolution in this manner is the normal practice.
Reading this thread makes me realize that recovery of this Sacrament will be a very difficult uphill battle.
Hey now, that T-shirt is intended to be a recognition on the part of that girl that she tends to be a princess, that she is aware of it, and that she's working on it... it's a joke. But it's a sort of confession in and of itself. So I don't really have a problem with that one.
My fear is what if I'm not ready to change? What if I go in and tell the priest I smoke, but I don't think I can quit now without screwing up my diet, or I'm just not ready to deal with that? OK, so maybe I've been at odds with God over this issue for some time and now I'm facing it square on. But can't you see how hard that is to face? How can I be absolved if I can't obey?
Same for other obsessive/compulsive sorts of things. I've whipped the drinking, drugs, sex (for now) but... I'm not pure.
So very true. If someone has a tendency to irritate you frequently, it's difficult not to put them on a mental watch list. It's probably a good thing to keep in mind at FR, too. :)
Especially now that 10 Commandment monuments are verborten--what will remind folks of what is sinful?
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