Confession Question

[Poorly Catechized Convert]

I'll be going to confession in a couple of days and will be confessing some bad things I thought about the priest's religious order. The idea of actually stating it was the Jesuits terrifies me. I don't want to offend the priest. In the confessional, am I allowed to just say "a religious order" or should I actually state which one? I don't want to invalidate my confession by concealing information, that should be disclosed.

 

[arfink]

I don't think you need to worry about that. Just confess to the best of your ability, and it'll be alright. :)

[arfink]

I also saw your question on the other board, and I don't think you committed the sin of apostasy. Far from it. You had real doubts, tested that thought to see if it was valid or not without actually acting on it, and rejected it. Everyone experiences doubts, it's not a sin.

Edited June 21, 2013 by arfink

[Nihil Obstat]

If the fact that it was Jesuits as opposed to, say, Dominicans or Benedictines makes the sin graver, then perhaps it should be mentioned. But if it does not really affect the nature of the sin (and I am leaning towards thinking it probably does not), it is probably not necessary to be quite so specific. Unless the priest asks, in which case do not hide it.

 

As I understand it, most priests prefer that your confession is concise, rather than getting bogged down in little details.

[Nihil Obstat]

More importantly, good luck when you get there. :) Pray for strength to make a good confession, and everything will be fine. You probably will not be saying anything that the priest has not heard hundreds of times before. And the forgiveness of our Lord is mind-boggling.

[cappie]

You don't have to state what religious order. One day a person spoke to me (out of confession) and said they didn't like the priest who was saying Mass in their parish. I asked who and they said they did not want to say. I said it doesn't matter as priests have a sense of humor, so they said it's you Father :lol4:

[Poorly Catechized Convert]

Thanks for the replies. That's a relief; I don't know the priest real well and I don't know how he would react.

 

 

I also saw your question on the other board, and I don't think you committed the sin of apostasy. Far from it. You had real doubts, tested that thought to see if it was valid or not without actually acting on it, and rejected it. Everyone experiences doubts, it's not a sin.

 

You don't have to state what religious order. One day a person spoke to me (out of confession) and said they didn't like the priest who was saying Mass in their parish. I asked who and they said they did not want to say. I said it doesn't matter as priests have a sense of humor, so they said it's you Father :lol4:

 

Thanks, both of you for answering my question on the other thread. I guess I felt guilt primarily because I was enjoying reading from non-Christians who were working against the Church. Well just feeling a pull away from the Church bothers me. It's good to know I don't have to worry about excommunication and that I'll be able move past it.

 

 

[Papist]

Welcome to Phatmass! 

[seashorerock]

:hehe2:

 

I'm tempted to turn this into a thread making fun of Jesuits.  Us Franciscans have some pretty good jokes.  :bounce:

 

 

 

A Franciscan and a Jesuit found it difficult to pray without a cigarette. They sought permission from their superiors to smoke. The Franciscan came back downcast. “I asked if I could smoke while I prayed, but he said ‘no.’” The Jesuit smiled. “I asked if I could pray while I smoked." He replied: “Of course.’”

 

 

 

[Nihil Obstat]

:hehe2:

 

I'm tempted to turn this into a thread making fun of Jesuits.  Us Franciscans have some pretty good jokes.  :bounce:

Yeah... I was going to say, he has probably heard every knock against Jesuits in the book. :|

[Lil Red]

You don't have to state what religious order. One day a person spoke to me (out of confession) and said they didn't like the priest who was saying Mass in their parish. I asked who and they said they did not want to say. I said it doesn't matter as priests have a sense of humor, so they said it's you Father :lol4:

 

:hehe: father, I heart you! :hehe: 

[Chestertonian]

Jesuits>Dominicans . Just so you know.

[Poorly Catechized Convert]

I need to throw in another question. Tomorrow after Mass I was supposed to ask the priest for a dispensation to miss Mass, due to vacation. I'm 18, but I'm going with my parents, in their car, and have been told that I cannot use their car to go to Mass during our trip. Me trying to use public transportation would only cause a large argument. Since they decided to leave tomorrow before I can go to Mass, the only time I'll have contact with the priest will be in the confessional. Would it be proper, if after I confessed my sins, but before absolution, I mentioned my situation and asked if I could receive a dispensation for this week and possibly next? I don't like the idea of doing this inside to confessional, but it will be my only option. Also, I'd like to note that this priest isn't my pastor, but he is standing in for him since he is away. Due to me not attending Mass, often, at my territorial parish because of many issues, I had forgotten about this. As a result, when I tried to contact him I was told that he would be unavailable for a month. So am I even able to validly receive a dispensation from this priest?

[cappie]

You don't need a dispensation because it's beyond your control. However if you think you need it then ask the priest, but I repeat you are in good conscience.

[ContemporaryCaflicCrusader]

In confession you're suppose to use nouns, no proper nouns.  So you could say, I detracted such and such a religious order, or, I dunno, punched so and so in the face or what have you.  The toughest ones are in a small fam especially, when you are face to face with a familiar confessor.  My sibling, well guess what, he was the priest at my sister's wedding, my one and only sibling, did the marital classes, Catholic wedding around here are almost unheard of, so the anonymity just went out the door.  And parents are, well, parents.  Mom and Dad if you are so fortunate are difficult not to refer to as Mom and Dad.  I believe my advice is good feel free to critique if you can properly.  :-P