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A writer writes:
I’m a writer, working on something that incorporates a back and forth between a priest and a congregant in a confession booth. I’m not Catholic, and when I asked a Catholic friend for some help, he was sad to say he couldn’t remember the last time he went to confession. He did, however, give me your name as someone who might be able to shed a little light on the situation. You don’t know me from Adam,
That’s okay. I don’t know most folks from Adam. There are six billion of us, after all.
and I’m sure you’re a busy guy, but if you had a couple of moments to field a couple of questions, it would be most appreciated.
Sure, no prob.
The info I’m looking for is pretty basic. The character in the thing I’m writing hasn’t been to confession since he was a little boy. So he’s pretty rusty when he enters the booth.
Okay, first a bit of general info: They aren’t called "booths." They look like that–or used to, at any rate–but the term you’ll want to use is "confessional." Also, these days they don’t look like booths in most churches. They’re like little rooms, and they’re usually designed in such a way that you can either sit opposite the priest on one side of a screened partition or so that you can go around the other side and make your confession face-to-face if you want.
If your story is set in the past (say, pre-1970) or if you just want a more traditional feel, you can still use the booth set-up. A few parishes still have those.
As a bit of research for your story, I’d suggest visiting a Catholic church and looking at the confessionals. It’ll help give you a better idea how to describe them in the story. Notice the colors and textures and smells (though all of these will, of course, vary from parish to parish). If you need to know the names of things in the room–like the kneeler that may very well be present in front of the screen–ask someone from the church office to explain them.
BTW, try to pay this visit when confessions are not being heard. It’ll inconvenience folksand confuse the priest if you’re there poking in the confessional around while people are waiting in line for confession.
When someone enters a confession booth, who speaks first? And what’s said?
Typically the penitent will begin by making the sign of the cross (i.e., crossing himself) and saying "In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen." If the penitent stops at "and of the Holy Spirit" then the priest may say the "Amen."
If the penitent doesn’t say the Trinitarian formula, the priest will probably do so as a way of prompting the penitent to start. If the penitent still doesn’t start, the priest may say in a friendly, inviting manner, "Go ahead" or simliar words.
According to the rite (as found in a book called The Rites, volume 1, which goes into all this in great detail), the priest then invites the penitent to trust in God, using one of a number of different invitations.
- May God, who has enlightened every heart, help you to know your sins and trust in his mercy.
- The Lord does not wish the sinner to die but to turn back to him and live. Come before him with trust in his mercy.
- May the Lord Jesus welcome you. He came to call sinners, not the just. Have confidence in him.
- May the grace of the Holy Spirit fill your heart with light, that you may confess your sins with loving trust and come to know that God is merciful.
- May the Lord be in your heart and help you to confess your sins with true sorrow.
- If you have sinned, do not lose heart. We have Jesus Christ to plead for us with the Father; he is the Holy One, the atonement for our sins and for the sins of the whole world.
In practice, the priest doesn’t make this invitation if, as usually happens (so far as I know), the penitent launches into his confession after the sign of the cross is made.
The TV version has the congregant starting first, saying, "Forgive me, Father, for I have sinned." But if the congregant wasn’t sure how things went, might the priest start?
The classic way of beginning is by the penitent saying "Bless me, Father, for I have sinned. It has been X amount of time since my last confession." If the penitent doesn’t know how long it’s been, he may simply say "It’s been a long time since my last confession." The priest might ask how long, and the answer "Years" would be acceptable.
Actually–and most folks don’t know this–the mentioning of how long it’s been is not mandatory. The rite only calls for the priest to ask for this if he doesn’t know the penitent.
Is there ever any discussion re: what types of sins might be discussed? For example, if someone hadn’t been to confession in a long time, might the priest suggest he start with sins of the heart, sins of the flesh, sins of the mind, etc.?
Yes, this kind of thing will happen. If the penitent hasn’t made an examination of conscience before going in to confess, the priest will help him do so in the confessional (assuming that there’s time). The typical way this would happen would be for the priest to walk the penitent through the Ten Commandments, asking if he can remember any offenses against the individual commandments. (Be sure to use the Catholic numbering of the Ten Commandments if you go this route. SEE HERE AND SCROLL DOWN.)
The priest may, though, simply ask the penitent what sins are on his mind, and afterwards he may ask if there are any other sins that he is aware of that he needs to confess. (You only need to confess mortal or major sins; not venial or light ones.) The priest may also give the penitent counselling advice, particularly about how to avoid sin in the future.
After the penitent is finished confessing the priest will assign him a penance (typically some prayers, such as an Our Father and a Hail Mary or a decade of the Rosary or something, or he may assign him to read the Scripture readings for that day).
Then the priest invites the penitent to say an act of contrition, in his own words or using a set formula. If the penitent isn’t sure what to do the priest may lead him through a simple act of contrition like:
Lord Jesus, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.
Then the priest extends his hands or his right hand and says the words of absolution:
God, the Father of mercies, through the death and resurrection of his Son has reconciled the world to himself and sent the Holy Spirit among us for the forgiveness of sins; through the ministry of the Church may God give you pardon and peace, and I absolve you from your sins in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
As he says the Trinitarian formula he makes the sign of the cross with his hand, and when he is done the penitent says "Amen."
Then the priest says something to dismiss the penitent, such as "The Lord has freed you from your sins. Go in peace."
There are a lot of variations on how this all happens. You might want to check out The Rites volume 1 (a local parish will have it) to see some of them. One thing that is not supposed to vary, though, are the words of absolution as I gave them above. The priest has a lot of flexibility elsewhere, but he’s supposed to say the words of absolution verbatim. (Regrettably, not all priests do.)
One thing I’d recommend is that after you write this scene you show it to an actual priest and ask him if what you’ve written rings true. If he spots any major problems, you’ll be able to fix them before turning in your story to–well, wherever it is you’re planning on submitting it.
Good luck!
Jimmy, you’ve got some serious typos there in the various formulas. Might want to fix them….
“The Lord doe snot wish the isnner to die but to turn back to him and live.”
This is only valid in the mucus rite.
Rhys, that was hilarious.
At our parish they keep the confessionals locked when not in use, so you might need an appointment. Each priest has his own confessional with his stuff in it, and the ‘personality’ of the confessional varies with the personality of the priest,so it might be interesting to see several ‘rec rooms’ before you settle on one for your priest.
Has anyone ever used the official new rite of penance as it is given in the liturgical books???
I have a question. I might already have the answer to it, but I want to double check. I went to confession this past week and the priest skipped a part of the absolution, he didn’t skip the important parts which is really the ending, but is my confession still valid? I think it is because I believed it to be so and the priest was strapped for time, I was the last penitant in a 15 min. time slot. Just wondering. Hope you guys can help. thanks.
P.S. Anon. is julia, I was trying to remain in-cognito. I’m not the regular Anon thatvisits here sometimes. Just thought I’d clear that up.
Julia, as long as the priest didn’t omit the words “I absolve you,” you’re good. Whether he’s good is of course another question, but you have nothing to worry about. 🙂
I have a problem these days confessing my sins to a potential significant sinner. Who knows the background of our parish priests these days?
And based on the Prodigal Son parable, one could make a case for a confession to the Father followed by absolution by the Father and a self-imposed penance. And there are some other NT passages that support this approach e.g. Matthew 9:2.
There’s a name for this POV. It’s called Donatism, and it’s condemned as a heresy.
Don’t stop at verse 2! Go on to verse 9, which alludes to God giving this authority to forgive sins “to men.” Then proceed to John 20:23. Do not pass go, do not collect $200.00.
And based on the Prodigal Son parable, one could make a case for a confession to the Father followed by absolution by the Father and a self-imposed penance.
Not if one were Catholic, Realist. As Catholics we accept the Sacraments were instituted by Christ and that the Church has His authority over them.
Take care and God bless,
Inocencio
J+M+J
Now how does some poor, isolated, orthodox, Chinese Catholic 1000 miles from the nearest “real” priest ever get his sins forgiven? Are not the “pew peasants” in the USA sort of in the same situation in trying to find a “real” priest.
See also http://www.faithfutures.org/JDB/jdb127.html for a few comments on Matt 9:2.
And for the binding and loosening scenarios:(1a) Matt 16:19, (1b) Matt 18:18, (2) John 20:23; See http://www.faithfutures.org/JDB/jdb073.html for different viewpoints.
References are for education purposes only just in case a friend wants to discuss current biblical “scholarship”. No added commentary from me.
Realist-
For any Catholic, perfect (or complete) contrition, coupled with an intention to seek sacramental confession as soon as possible results in the forgiveness of sins.
I’m surprised you didn’t know that.
Gosh, Realist, I bet no Catholic theologian has ever, ever thought of that one! Yessir, that’s a real stumper, there. Think I’ll become a Protestant right now. (Not.)
Hm, “scholarship” — in quote marks — is right (cf., e.g., Luke Timothy Johnson on the Jesus’ Seminar’s quote-unquote “scholarship”).
Of course, the whole question is irrelevant, Realist, since the canonical status of the text has nothing to do with the winds of scholarly (or “scholarly”) opinion about the “authenticity” of the text vis-a-vis somebody’s idea of the “historical Jesus” versus the gospel writers.
Next time try providing some actual commentary on the meaning of the canonical text. (Incidentally, no mention of John 20:23, I see. So you’ve pretty much struck out there, too.)
I love confession! What humility it is to tell another of ones sins. Persona Christi…Praise God for such a FREE gift of reconciliation…to which graces flow. May I never be cut off from God’s Grace. Then, to receive Christ in the state of GRACE…ALLELUIA!!! GOD is AWESOME!
Amen.
The nice thing about Reconciliation is that the priest stands in persona Christi. This means that God directly hears our sins, and He forgives us through the the priest through whom He acts. I appreciate the certainty that this Sacrament provides.
Backing up a little in the story line….
The proposed story line is that it’s taking place inside the confessional. The writer needs to know that Catholics may confess their sins to a priest anywhere.
I’ve had people ask me for the sacrament in a shopping mall, in a park, in a stadium, at a powwow. I’ve heard confessions in the “booth” during “advertised” scheduled weekly sessions that people line up for (most parishes offer those every week). I’ve heard confessions from people who called up the church office to make an appointment.
The writer has options for the physical setting that might work into the writer’s story better than simply inside the confessional.
Imagining that it happens inside the confessional, here’s a common scenario. Most people who haven’t confessed in years often choose to stay behind the curtain or screen where the priest does not see their face. It’s likely that someone who has not been in years does not remember how to begin. Often enough I hear people enter, take their position behind the screen and not say a word. Because of that, I choose to make it my practice to take the initiative by saying “In the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” Then, I wait for the penitent to begin speaking.
Even a penitent who hasn’t been in years might just remember to say, “Bless me, Father, for I have sinned.” Then, perhaps, “Father, I haven’t been in years, and I don’t remember how….”
Or…. The penitent who doesn’t remember even the “Bless me, Father” might just say, “Father, it’s been so long I don’t remember what to do here.”
Or…. After I begin (“In the Name…”) the penitent might still be at a loss for words. In that case, I then ask, “When was your last confession?” After a reply, I then ask, “What do you need to confess?”
THANKS STEVE!!
Short-n-Sweet, I agree. I don’t always have perfect contrition when I go in but I feel a lot closer to God and the Church and well armed for the battle ahead afterwards. One thing I always add in my act of contrition is something along the lines of “…I thank you Lord for the gift of this Sacrament and for your priests who bring it to us…” both to thank Jesus and the priest since he’s gotta listen to the likes of me!
For clarification of the above since there was some confusion:
http://www.faithfutures.org/Jesus/Crossan2.rtf
Matt 16:19 “I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”
Matthew 18:18 “Amen, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”
John 20:23 “If you forgive anyone his sins, they are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven”
Passages not from the historic Jesus as per Crossan et al.
For Matt 16:13-20, ( See http://www.faithfutures.org/JDB/jdb073.html
Returning to “no more commentary”.
Crossan: “Jesus’ Body was probably eaten by wild dogs.” The One-Note Sym-phony” plays on!
Realist,
For the last time we accept the Authority of the Magisterium of the Church, inerrancy of the Sacred Scriptures AND Sacred Tradition not make-up-what-makes-me-feel-good Crossanity.
I challenge you to find one official document of the Church that teaches the passages you quoted are not the words of Christ.
Take care and God bless,
Inocencio
J+M+J
I have difficulty with the whole topic of confession, or penance or reconciliation (whatever you call it) as iy is practiced. I have shared my thougts with my pastor and his answer was not satisfactory. Here goes:
The one element that seems to be lost in the topic of sin, confession, and repentence is the victim. Without a victim, there is no sin and no sinner. Let’s look at the victim of sin and what happens to him.
When a Catholic sins against God, he asks God’s forgiveness. When a Catholic sins against another human being, he asks God’s forgiveness. Even though the guidelines for a “true” confesssion state that one must reconcile with the person they have sinned against, this is rarely practiced. I discussed this with my pastor and his answer was, the sinner gets the forgiveness of the community through the sacrament of reconciliation and does not need to seek out forgiveness of the person he offended although this would be a good thing.
All the sinner has to do is go to the privacy of confession where in a one on one conversation, he is forgiven all his offenses by a priest, who is not the victim, but a neutral person whose job it is to grant God’s forgiveness. How easy is that?
That is just wrong. If you ruin my reputation with lies, you never have to publically take back your falsehoods and apoligize. You are at peace, but my reputation is still ruined. Married people who cheat on their mates never have to ask forgiveness, but their mates continue to live each day in doubt and fear of betrayal. A person can destroy someone’s sense of self-esteem with belittling and rude statements. The sinner is forgiven, but the victims are left with the scars of the sin.
Now, for the victim of sin, what does the Church teach? If someone has sinned against you–you forgive them. Wow. You destroy my reputation, you steal my money, you injure me and my health, you damage my property— and, I am to forgive you. I don’t even get an apology.
I think the Jewish religion’s Yom Kippur has the right idea. You cannot ask forgiveness of God, until you ask forgiveness of man, first. This is probably the best deterant to sinning there is.
Do you know what human beings greatest fear is? Being humiliated or embarrassed. It is humiliating to say to someone, “I did you wrong. I am sorry. Please forgive me.” Who wants to go through that again?
Matt 18:15-17 speaks of Victim’s Rights and responsibilities. Why responsibilities? When someone has sinned against you, for the sake of his soul’s redemption, you have an obligation to let the sinner know he has done damage. Now, some people say that the sinner must know it is a sin for it to be counted as a sin. This may be valid at first; but, if the results of one’s actions causes loss or pain the victim has been sinned against. And, once the person causing the sorrow or injury is told what he is doing, he is accountable for his actions.
Matt: chap 18 vs 15-17
“If your brother sins against you go to him and show him his fault. But do it privately. Just between yourselves. If he listens to you, you have won your brother back. But if he willl not listen to you, take one or two other persons with you, so that “every accusation may be upheld by the testimony of two or more witnesses.” as the scripture says. And if he will not listen to them, then tell the whole thing to the church. Finally, if he will not listen to the church, treat him as though he were a pagan or a tax collector.”
Senior Catholic,
I like the way you think but I am sure the neoCatholics will find some magic Magisterium/CC words to explain the current system of required middle men.
I think more than a few parishes still have the “booth” style confessionals. In fact, most parishes I’ve been to (in California and Ireland and Australia, so a rather diverse group of churches) have the booth style confessionals. A few have the rooms, but the majority that I’ve been to use the booths.
Realist,
Don’t worry Magisterium/CC words only matter to Catholics and not to anyone who considers themselves more intellegent than God.
You do realize Christ established a Church with His authority to Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, to the close of the age.”
And yes you will have to go find the verse I just quoted in the bible before you quote Crazy Crossan.
“Neo-Catholics” do you now associate yourself with Count Tradula?
Take care and God bless,
Inocencio
J+M+J
oops italics left on
Inocencio,
You continually make me break my “no more commentary” commitment :),
Not from Crossan, but relevant to the discussion:
From the Westar discussion group- yes I know what Westar is:
“ The gospels are primarily each Evangelists experience of his community. We know now that they were not so much exact narratives as theology. So they are more theologians than historians and really were storytellers. So one has to inspect various events as to their historicity. The glaring exception is the account of the passion and death of Christ which is very close in all narratives. Definitely more history here. At any rate the Gospels and Epistles have always been accepted as genuine or reflecting the standard (canon). What scripture means is determined by study and prayer and today one cannot exclude historical criticism which has taught us so much after 300 years of exegetes perusing every word of every page. Even with accepted scripture one must be careful in interpretation, particularly in John’s use of ‘logos’ which the Nicene father’s truly distorted.”
With respect to current biblical “scholarship” about Matthew 28:19, see
http://www.faithfutures.org/JDB/jdb018.html
Realist,
You deny that Christ established a Church with His authority. And you quote everyone but the teaching Magisterium of the Church.
You claim to be Catholic but your understanding of Sacred Tradition and Scripture as well as the “experts” you quote point to a very protestant understanding of faith. I just hope and pray someday you will realize that before it is too late.
Take care and God bless,
Inocencio
J+M+J
I’ve wondered for some time, Realist, exactly why you choose to identify yourself as Catholic. Though you may belong in law to the Church, you seem to have separated yourself from the Church some time ago. It is simply the fact that a Catholic must accept EVERY article of faith authoritatively proposed for belief to remain in the Church. You deny Christ’s physical resurrection, the authority of the Church to define doctrine and absolve sins, papal authority – the list actually goes on and on. Why do you choose to identify yourself as Catholic? If you believe that all of these teachings are erroneus, why aren’t you a member of a liberal Protestant denomination? Though you identify as Catholic, you are clearly not. I don’t mean to sound harsh or judgmental, but if you deny these very basic tenets of the Catholic faith, you are a heretic. And since you are a member of the Roman Catholic Church, this is not a case of material heresy – it is formal heresy, which is always mortally sinful. Because you seem to be cognizant of what the Church teaches, one cannot assume that your culpability in holding heretical beliefs is mitigated by invincible ignorance. Why do you trust John Dominic Crossan more than the Holy Father and the whole of Catholic Tradition?
Pax Christi tecum,
Josh
To Senior Catholic,
Every one is hurt or injured in this life at one point or another. Some deal with heavier crosses but I am not in authority to say that your life is more difficult than mine. It takes one person to forgive, but it takes two to reconcile. Whatever you did to the least of these, that you do unto me. It is God to judge all according to our actions. Yes, it would be swell if others asked forgiveness, but in order for me to accept that forgiveness (if given the opportunity), I need to let go of that resentment I hold against the person that injured me. I love confession…God has shown His merciful love, which in turn causes me to turn to Him and become a better person. Praise God!!!
Dear Short and Sweet
Please reread what I wrote. I said nothing about resentment, I spoke of the responsibility of the sinner as was the teaching of the Church when I grew up in Catholic School. We were taught that we were responsible for our actions and when we hurt another person, we were hurting God’s child, and we had to take back the hurt through whatever means necessary. This is not true today.
. We humans apologize all day long–“I’m sorry for bumping into you,” “I’m sorry to bother you,” “I’m sorry, I dialed the wrong number.” And, all day long, we forgive people. “That’s OK” “Don’t worry about it” and the ever popular, “No Problem”. This is commom courtesy.
But when it comes to the important things like sinning against someone, we go to confession. Let’s get back the days when sinning against someone meant we had a resposibility to the person we offended.
You and I don’t know each other, but my words must have caused you discomfort by misreading my meaning. So, I apologize for not making my opinion clearer. I do hope you forgive me.