March 24, 2024
I will be available for confessions on Holy Saturday, March 30th from 8 AM – 8 PM, a significant period of time. This is a testament to the importance I place on making myself accessible to you. I eagerly anticipate your visit to Saint Aloysius on that day, where you can unburden yourself from any spiritual hindrances. If you’ve been waiting for a sign to go to Confession, consider this your unmistakable sign.
Why do I need to confess to a priest?
John 20:23 tells us, “whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained.” Jesus is here speaking to His apostles, and the apostles will bestow this power upon their successors. These bishops also bestowed it upon the priests that they ordained. In this way, Jesus mandated Confession/Reconciliation as the standard way to forgive sins. Can you go directly to God? Of course, one aspect you will miss is hearing another human voice telling you, assuring you that your sins are forgiven. What a beautiful gift to have such a loving God that He desires us to know that our sins are forgiven.
How often should one go to Confession?
According to the Precepts of the Church, we are required to confess our sins at least once a year. However, I often advise people that confessing once a month is beneficial. I assure you that you will feel the grace of this sacrament when you dare to participate frequently. What if you have no serious or mortal sins to confess even after a year? I encourage you to go to Confession regardless and confess any venial sins you are aware of. Most importantly, you will receive the grace of the sacrament.
What do I confess? Any serious/mortal sins that you are aware of. What if I don’t think of all of my sins? If you honestly confess all mortal sins you are aware of, God’s mercy takes care of the rest. If we hold onto a sin out of embarrassment or pride, the effects of that sin are retained. There are many excellent examinations of conscience, and I encourage you to look for one until you find the one that works for you. These examinations are often based on the Ten Commandments, a great place to start. Another starting place is the three loves: have I loved God as I ought, have I loved others as I ought, and have I loved myself as I ought. This method is helpful because it is condensed into three easily remembered questions.
What if I don’t want to go to my pastor?
That’s fine if you want to go to another priest; my question would be, why would you like to go to a different priest if you already trust your pastor to feed you with the Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ? I’m just thrilled that you are going to Confession but why have too spiritual doctors? Would you receive advice and prescriptions from one doctor but not feel comfortable mentioning your ailments, preferring to save those for a doctor who doesn’t know you? I didn’t think so. Besides, you can go behind the screen at either parish, and I honestly don’t try to figure out who it is that is speaking with me.
What is the priest allowed to do with my Confession?
Nothing.
Two Parishes, One Heart,
Fr. Adam