[Straight Vermonter]

I'm not a very emotional person. It's difficult, however, to overstate how emotional confession can be. Some of the times that I have felt closest to knowing God have been during or right after making a confession.

I love this picture, I think it shows how overwhelming the sacrament can be.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/amjackson/999378135

[AnAmericanMother]

I bawled like a baby at my First Confession. I still tear up, and I'm a tough old bird.

But it seems to me like an invasion of privacy to photograph that poor lady while she's all verklempt. Another good reason to have a BOOTH.

[NYer]

Thank you for posting that picture! Last Tuesday, we celebrated Penance, preceded by chanting hymns and prayers, reading from the Old and New Testaments, followed by the Gospel and a homily. After all had availed themselves of private confession, we shared a sign of Peace and sang a final hymn. At the conclusion, Father asked if we had felt the change. He had felt it and for the first time it occured to me just how emotionally draining it must be for a priest to act as Christ’s representative, listen to these sins, offer counsel and administer penance. St. John Vianney and Padre Pio listened to confessions for 12 + hours each day. I have met priests whose hearts were not in it but recognized that Christ acted through them as well. “Jesus, I trust in you!”

[Salvation]

Great picture!

[HeavensGate27]

Sweet picture!

"but most of all because my sins offend You, my God"

How can a tear not cry out from the very depths of one's soul as they state that very sentence?

And then, the thunder rolls across the heavens..."I absolve you"

Who can fathom my Lord's mercy?

Awe and silence! Beyond, beyond...but a breathe and heatbeat away!