Tag Archives: sacrament of penance

REVIEW: The new iPhone app for confession – useful but flawed

About a million people have written to me about the new “confession” app for the iPhone.  Well… not a million, but a lot. I am all for anything that gets people to go to confession.  But let’s be clear about … Continue reading

Posted in REVIEWS, Wherein Fr. Z Rants | Tagged , , | 46 Comments

QUAERITUR: Should I teach my child to confess sins in kind and also number?

From a reader: I’m preparing my oldest child for his First Holy Communion. This great little Communion book from TAN publishers instructs the child to confess his sins and the number of times he committed them. Now for myself, in … Continue reading

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, ASK FATHER Question Box | Tagged , , | 16 Comments

QUAERITUR: How to confess well? I worry I am not doing a good enough job of it.

From a reader: Hi. I am convert. [… S]ince being brought up in a protestant tradition and only becoming catholic as an adult, I was never exposed to the traditions, the formality. In our confirmation classes we was taught the … Continue reading

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, ASK FATHER Question Box | Tagged , , , | 27 Comments

QUAERITUR: I haven’t been to confession for 10 years! I don’t know what to do!

From a reader: I haven’t been to Confession in 10 years, and I’ve only gone three times back when I was still in grade school. It’s possible I wasn’t catechized in the sacrament properly because I don’t recall requiring the … Continue reading

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QUAERITUR: Nitwit priest changes the words of absolution. Wherein Fr. Z really rants.

From a reader: I am deeply distressed over this. I went to Confession today and for the absolution, the priest said “…and I forgive you of all your sins…” instead of “..I absolve you of your sins..” Is my Confession … Continue reading

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, ASK FATHER Question Box, Biased Media Coverage, Wherein Fr. Z Rants | Tagged , , | 55 Comments

QUAERITUR: To whom should I write?

From a reader: I’m just returning from a confession where the priest used the words “He absolves” instead of “I absolve.” The priest was a Benedictine who is the pastor of a Diocesan parish. So do I write to the … Continue reading

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QUAERITUR: confession during Mass, not just before

In a comment under another entry, a reader asked: I have been told by some older folks that this was a very common practice at all Masses in years past. Is this no longer allowed in the NO Mass? Did … Continue reading

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, ASK FATHER Question Box, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000 | Tagged , | 33 Comments

QUAERITUR: recording my own confession

From a reader: Under stress, my mind goes blank. I find Confession really stressful, so therefore can not mentally absorb the advice of the priest nor remember hardly anything he says afterwards. I feel I am missing a lot of … Continue reading

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QUAERITUR: absolution without any confession

From a reader: There is a parish in our diocese that offers a rather unique penance service with no individual confession offered. A penance service is held and people simply file up in a line, say to the priest “I … Continue reading

Posted in ASK FATHER Question Box, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000 | Tagged , , | 12 Comments

QUAERITUR: strange things for a First Confession

From a reader: My son recently made his first Confession as part of a Reconciliation service for his entire grade. While they did have individual confessions, there were parts that seemed illicit and possibly invalid. 1. No one was given … Continue reading

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, ASK FATHER Question Box, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000 | Tagged , | 25 Comments