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Ali
Member
| Joined: | Sat Jan 6th, 2007 |
| Location: | Ohio USA |
| Posts: | 622 |
| First Name: | Ali | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | JW, finally fully Catholic |
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Posted: Wed Dec 5th, 2007 08:44 am |
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Won't my priest be that for me?
Do I need a specific confessor?
How do I find one?
Do some priests specialize in this, while others do not?
My area seems to be hit hard by the priest shortage. One for two local parrish's, here. No deacon's or any other help for him. Our area is pretty spread out, and I'm pretty sure the neighboring churches are in silimar situations.
I'm just north of FSU, where I'm sure you could find wonderful priests, but I don't really have any contacts down that way or anything, and that would be sort of out of the way for me on a regular basis.
So give me the 411 on this 
Ali
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Annie
Member
| Joined: | Wed Feb 14th, 2007 |
| Location: | Columbus, Ohio USA |
| Posts: | 718 |
| First Name: | Annie | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | nothing, Quaker, Mennonite, Presbyterian, Methodist, Anglican, Catholic |
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Posted: Wed Dec 5th, 2007 08:57 am |
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Your normal confessor will be your regular parish priest. Some people I have read about seem to be using confession as a substitute for spiritual direction, which it is not. Fr. Dubay cautions us about this in some of his books on spirituality.
On the other hand, there is a knack to being a good confessor and some people don't seem to have it. I was warned by two people independently not to go to confession at the really orthodox parish that I like, they are stingy with absolution. And some modern priests like to turn confession into a pop psychology session. Chances are your priest will be just fine. Most of them are.
I go to whoever is on duty and hope they have some amount of compassion on this poor slob.
____________________
Annie
Ora et labora
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David W. Emery
Network Helper
| Joined: | Fri Sep 29th, 2006 |
| Location: | Brownsville, Texas USA |
| Posts: | 1714 |
| First Name: | David | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Catholic |
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Posted: Wed Dec 5th, 2007 09:20 am |
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What Brian and I were talking about, Ali, is just going to the same priest each time, allowing him to get to know you and provide more personalized treatment. It’s nothing special beyond that. Keeping a regular schedule of examination of conscience and reception of the sacrament of penance is a big help in leaving sin behind and embracing virtue. Prayer and the Eucharist should round out our day to day living in the normal plan for salvation and spiritual advancement.
Do some priests specialize in this, while others do not?
One could say this, given that there are different levels of enthusiasm among priests for the sacrament of penance. I have known a few who are really dedicated and make themselves available whether there is a line at the confessional or not. And I have known others who would rather be doing something else and almost force the penitent to make an appointment. The majority, however, are somewhere in between.
In my diocese, for many years the bishop has appointed semi-retired priests (who are no longer assigned to a parish but want to continue to help out) to hear confessions at the diocesan-run Marian shrine. As a result, there is nearly always a priest on duty there.
In your case, Ali, probably you have little choice about your confessor unless you are willing to make the extra effort to go “into town” to find one better suited to you (who may or may not exist, depending on how you see your parish priest). Personally, I do find this option helpful for the counsel I receive, although it is not necessary if you just want absolution. Which way you choose will depend on your perceived personal need. Are you serious about advancing in virtue? Do you need advice on how to go about it or what mistakes you are making? Then find a priest who suits you and from whom you derive profit and keep returning to him.
The point I make with some people is that if scrupulosity (which is often a question of simple ignorance or unfamiliarity with how to go about living a Christian life, but sometimes is a function of an obsessive-compulsive disorder) is a problem for them, it is imperative that they stick to one priest who, through the penitent’s strict obedience, will act as a stabilizer for their conscience, ease their anxieties and guide them to a more normal life.
David
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