Updated again on March 3, 2013
Don't believe in Mortal Sins? Francis Cardinal Arinze would like to chat with you, NOW!
Updated a third time on December 20, 2011
Sr. Mary Ann Walsh with the USCCB has ten good, practical reasons for going to Confession regularly, with one really important reason added by Fr. Z!
First Posted on December 9, 2008
Commandments of the Church
III. To confess our sins to a priest, at least once a year.
IV. To receive Our Lord Jesus Christ in the Holy Eucharist at least once a year during Easter Season.
Father John Zuhlsdorf, "Father Z, renowned blogger", has 20 Tips for Making A Good Confession
Father George Rutler, author, preacher and pastor of the Church of Our Savior in Manhattan, has ten pages on "How to Make a Good Confession."
Father Robert Altier, preacher and chaplain in Hastings, MN, has a wonderful "Examination of Conscience" for you. "Keep custody of those eyes!"
and
Father John Zuhlsdorf [Fr. Z.] on "I haven't been to Confession for ten years; I don't know what to do!
Fr. Z, again: Why I still have this blog: a reader’s testimony
And here are two more useful Examinations for children:
Click Here for an Examination of Conscience for Children
Click Here for another Examination for Elementary School ChildrenTip O' the Hat to Catholic Parents OnLine
You say that you think that you prefer to confess your sins directly to God? You don't need to do it to a priest? Read what Francis J. Beckwith, Professor of Philosophy and Church-State Studies at Baylor University, former President of the protestant Evangelical Theological Society, and a convert in April 2007 to the Catholic Church has to say on the matter.
Click Here for another Examination for Elementary School ChildrenTip O' the Hat to Catholic Parents OnLine
You say that you think that you prefer to confess your sins directly to God? You don't need to do it to a priest? Read what Francis J. Beckwith, Professor of Philosophy and Church-State Studies at Baylor University, former President of the protestant Evangelical Theological Society, and a convert in April 2007 to the Catholic Church has to say on the matter.
10 comments:
Soooo, what are you hinting at, Ray?
FINE! I'll go, I'll GO!
Weeeeeeeeellll, Laura.
My guardian angel was chatting with some of his pals (they get breaks now and then)and a bunch of them that were assigned to the St. Michael area were wondering why that hadn't see you at any of the Confession times on Tuesdays or Saturdays. They wondered if you had switched parishes.
My guardian angel is kind of a chatty chap (not gossip) and in likes to share things.
gasp
That tattletelling guardian angel of mine!
He knows darn well that I go to confession where nobody knows my name or my annoying, whiney voice!
I have a copy of Fr. Altier's examination of conscience in my purse. I've only used it once.
Someone gave it to me as I was on my way in for Confession a few weeks ago. She carries them for her pagan friends.
Nan: Make sure you keep custody of your eyes! Fr. Altier emphasizes that.
You might warn your pagan friends, too.
I find a good examination simply the hardest thing ever. I am totally imcapable of it. Yep...a miserable failure. Usually after I usher all the kids in, I bum rush the confessional with a hurried and deperate "Oh, Holy Spirit help me make a good confession!" I kneel down, say what I'm supposed to, confess every sin I can think of and hope for the best.
I have the same problem, Sanctus.
I know I haven't murdered anybody; but I know that I'm not perfect, not by a long shot.
Part of the reason is that while I zip through most of the major "Thou shalt nots" pretty quickly, I most often forget to go over the "Thou shalts" That's a pretty long list.
And I get a pretty sick feeling in my stomach when the parable of the Sheep and the goats (Matthew 25:31-46) is Sunday's Gospel: Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not invite me in....
That seems to be a couple dozen times a year, it seems to me.
Hi, Ray!
Wishing you a Happy Easter.
Peace,
Michael
Thank you, Michael. And the same to you, too. God Bless You!
Those are some great links, Ray, thanks. I'm bookmarking all of them. Especially like Fr Altier's examinen. Sweet and simple.
Happy Easter to you, dear Ray! May God bless you during this beautiful season!
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