http://198.106.29.142/lent2008.html

Saw something about "Pardon and Peace" on back of a SEPTA bus, so I checked it out.

Thought it is interesting that it is being advertised all the Catholic churches in the archdiocese will be open for confession every Wed night for Lent.

So, anyone going?

__________________
"I think that anything that begins to give people a sense of their own worth and dignity is God."
John Shelby Spong

Congrats Phils 2008 World Champs!

I would go, but since Lent is only 40 days, I would never be able to get through all my confessions...

=)

The absolute least one can do to retain standing in the Catholic church, is to go to confession and communion during the Lenten season. I will be fulfilling that obligation.

No. I am a recovering Catholic.
When Bevilacqua and Krol (is he dead yet?) publicly acknowledge and do penance for their abuse of all of us when they aided and abeted child abusers, I might rethink the situation.

Cardinal Rigali is the top honcho in Philadelphia now.
http://www.archdiocese-phl.org/
I am ecumenical and will go to any church at any time and make three wishes. I will also receive Communion from any offering it. Old churches in foreign countries are really beautiful. Best service so far.....was at a Baptist congregation in West Philly!!! They really know how to kick up the dust! After 3 hrs. of *Praising The Lord*, I almost went up front to have my forehead smacked so I could fall to the floor in a semi-spastic state of Ecstasy!!

Krol has been dead awhile- since 1996.

__________________
"I think that anything that begins to give people a sense of their own worth and dignity is God."
John Shelby Spong

Congrats Phils 2008 World Champs!

I'm not Catholic, so I've never been to a one-on-one confession. How do you do it? You say "Bless me Father for I have sinned.." and then what?

__________________
"I think that anything that begins to give people a sense of their own worth and dignity is God."
John Shelby Spong

Congrats Phils 2008 World Champs!

When you come into the confessional, you can generally choose whether to kneel behind the screen, or sit in a chair where you and the priest can see each other. As you pick, you make the sign of the cross (and say audibly "In the name of the Father..." if you're behind the screen, to let the priest know you're there).

You begin with "Bless me, Father, for I have sinned. It has been [x days/weeks/months/years] since my last confession." Then you state what you want to confess. Generally, I finish by saying, "For these, and for all the sins of my life, I am sorry." (Again, to let the priest know I've finished with my list.)

Depending on the priest, he might talk a little bit or give you advice about various things, and will give you something to do as penance - often a prayer or a Bible reading, sometimes a good work. Then he asks you to say an act of contrition out loud (there are a few specific formulas - at my parish, they've helpfully tacked a copy next to the screen, so you can read one aloud). Once you're done, he formally absolves you and makes the sign of the cross (and you follow along). At the end, he says "Go in peace," and you can respond with a thank you, a "Happy Easter", or an amen.

I used to find confession kind of scary, but I've started going more often in recent years, and I've sort of gotten used to it. I'll be going during Lent this year as usual.

The Anglo-Catholic churches have confession/confessionals, I think I'll be heading to one this Lent. Since I'm not Roman Catholic, I won't go to a Roman Catholic church to confess. (Well, I COULD, but I wouldn't feel right pretending to a priest that I'm RC!) I can do so in an Anglo-Catholic church because they are part of the Episcopal Church, of which I'm a member.

__________________
"I think that anything that begins to give people a sense of their own worth and dignity is God."
John Shelby Spong

Congrats Phils 2008 World Champs!

Confession in the Catholic Church is pretty much the way
fires_long_ago described it. I kind of take a more progressive approach to *confessing my sins*.

The whole thing is really about examining ones conscious and then talking to the priest about things that may be troubling you. For me, it's usually about being the best that I can be, for myself and for the people my life/actions may have an impact on. Of course you should value your confessors insight and wisdom, if not, you should *shop* around for one who you do respect and who understands you.
Back in the day, I would go in with a list of all my *textbook sins*, recieve a penance [usually a rosary or two!], recieve absolution, and still not feel any better. Now that I know who I am, it is more of a cathartic event and I leave feeling a little lighter on my feet!

Basically, you are unburdening your soul by virtue of sharing it with another human being.
People do this same thing everyday in many different ways.

I hope this helped!