Confession Experiences?

[TeresaBenedicta]

Do you often get advice/commentary after a confession? A lot? A little? Does it depend on "how" you confession? How [i]do[/i] you confess?

I went to confession last night with a priest from our parish mission. We had a load of folks in line and I was the last one to confess. Some people took longer than others, obviously. But my confession was by far the shortest altogether-- less than three minutes, I would guess. I made my confession, and this was the dialogue that occurred after:

"Well thank God for a very humble confession. Do you know the divine mercy chaplet?"

"Yes Father."

"Good, for your penance pray the chaplet. Now say your act of contrition."

Now, I'm not really bothered by lack of commentary, advice, or encouragement/admonition... I have a spiritual director from whom I get all of that stuff. It just struck me as curious. How does a priest decide when to say something after a confession or not? This occurs with me fairly often, actually. Which is why I wonder if perhaps it's due to the way in which I confess. And, to be honest, I'm not even sure if I do [i]that[/i] correctly, as I've never actually been taught how to confess- but no one has told me differently!!

Anyways, I'm just curious what your experiences are and if you think that there is any correlation between how one confess and commentary after said confession.

[Hinter dem Horizont]

One must be diligent in what one needs to hear from the priest. I've had similar experiences as you with priests when I was a lot younger. But now, I get great advice. Last time I went to confession I told the monsignor that I am having trouble with my calling to the priesthood and that I am too scared. I consider it a sin that I have not been honest with a girl I am in a relationship with about my calling to the priesthood. The monsignor recognized what I meant and told me about his similar situation when he was my age. He was courting a girl and had to let her go because he needed to head to a seminary to test his vocation. He then gave advice about how to pray for my vocation and that running away from a vocation will never give me peace. Then, finally, we prayed together.

One can get an immense amount of peace from a confession if you seek properly in that regard. Ask the priest questions and be upfront.

[CatherineM]

I find more commentary when the confessor knows you well. I remember confessing being angry at my mom for the umpteenth time, and he told me that it was time to seek counseling about my mother issues because he was tired of hearing about it.

[let_go_let_God]

I don't often get much council from a priest when I go to Confession either. I often find that I receive more council when I go to confession face to face than behind a screen. Also when I open up more about my sins the priest has a tendency to open up as well.

God bless-
LGLG

[rkwright]

Sometimes more, sometimes less.

Don't forget though - God is working through the Priest in those sacramental moments - you were told what you needed to hear at that point in your life.

[BG45]

Sometimes more, sometimes less. I once had a priest who gave the same penance each time, he never said anything advice wise. I went one day going "Okay God, I know what he'll say, I know my penance, but thank you for Confession anyhow". For the only time I ever went to Confession with that priest, he changed it up on that day and offered advice galore! God knew what had to be said to keep me from taking the sacrament for granted I guess.

Another priest always gave me advice, and I do mean always. I've yet to have an experience where he has not. And it's always spot on.

The two I go to now are night and day like that too, one is the sort who tells you to thank God for Confession and a desire to be there; the other just verbally kicks my bum to the curb over my sins.

[HopefulBride]

My confessions always have some short commentary/advice. I must add that my confessor used to be my parish vicar and has been my confessor for some time now.

I think it makes a difference when the priest in question knows you well.

[Semper Catholic]

Are you really bragging about how you took the shortest time in confession?

[MIKolbe]

here.... this might help...

http://www.starfall.com/

[Semper Catholic]

Mlkolbe I am praying for you

[MIKolbe]

thanks, buddy!

and I, you.

[TeresaBenedicta]

[quote name='Semper Catholic' timestamp='1291668164' post='2191272']
Are you really bragging about how you took the shortest time in confession?
[/quote]

Uh, no. Definitely not my intent. How does one brag about confession in the first place?

I was attempting to put my experience into perspective.

I wonder if [i]how[/i] a person confesses determines the advice/commentary. Obviously if a person asks a question, that will probably entail some advice or commentary. Or, for example, I have to write things down prior to going into the confessional- otherwise I freeze and forget everything. So sometimes my confessions may sound like just a listing of sins. Which, I wonder if that has any pull on advice or commentary.

Mostly just curiosity here. Like someone posted earlier, the grace of the sacrament is enough. If God inspires a priest to tell you something, then that is a good. And I don't really need spiritual direction within confession, as I have a regular spiritual director.

[CatherineM]

You know you're doing okay until the time you get refused absolution. That really stabs.

[MIKolbe]

iawtc

[homeschoolmom]

[quote name='MIkolbe' timestamp='1291668681' post='2191276']
here.... this might help...

http://www.starfall.com/
[/quote]
I actually knew what that site was before clicking it!