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SBC2RCC
Member
| Joined: | Mon Oct 9th, 2006 |
| Location: | York, South Carolina USA |
| Posts: | 124 |
| First Name: | Monte | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | was Southern Baptist Minister, now Roman Catholic |
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Posted: Wed Dec 6th, 2006 09:03 pm |
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I wanted to share what a blessing it was to attend our parish's Advent Penance Service. Our pastor made it clear in his homily that this is all about reconciliation. What a beautiful gift from God! To hear how the Word of God tells us that God was in Christ reconciling us to himself, and makes us ministers of reconciliation. What a gift of grace to receive absolution from a priest. Lots of smiles as burdens are lifted.
We also do this at Lent in preparation for Easter. We had four priests scattered around to hear individual confessions and grant absolution. This WAS NOT a general absolution cast over the crowd. That as I understand it is ONLY for emergencies.
Have you experienced attending one of these services?
Is it appropriate to strongly encourage other Catholics to go?
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In Christ,
Monte W
(Formerly on CHN Forum as "Pilgrim Paul"
Minima Maxima Sunt
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CajunRick
Network Helper
| Joined: | Fri Sep 29th, 2006 |
| Location: | Houma, Louisiana USA |
| Posts: | 5079 |
| First Name: | Rick (& Kermie) | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Lifetime Catholic, Latin Rite |
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Posted: Wed Dec 6th, 2006 11:09 pm |
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SBC2RCC wrote: Have you experienced attending one of these services?
Many times. I go at every opportunity. Our parish will not have a communal penance service this year, so I'm looking for one at a neighboring parish.
Is it appropriate to strongly encourage other Catholics to go?
Absolutely. Other Christians may also attend, although obviously they may not receive sacramental absolution.
____________________
Understanding is the reward of faith. Therefore seek not to understand that you may believe, but believe that you may understand. - Augustine
Rick Luquette
Luquette Lane
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BodRod
Member
| Joined: | Mon Oct 2nd, 2006 |
| Location: | Apple Valley, California USA |
| Posts: | 770 |
| First Name: | Cliff | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Raised an SDA, then Generic Christian, finally at home with ... |
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Posted: Thu Dec 7th, 2006 10:25 am |
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<<<Have you experienced attending one of these services?>>>
We have 8 churches here in my part of the high desert area. All the priests get together and set up a scedule where they all go to a certain church on a given night. That way, each church has 10 or 12 priests doing Reconciliation activities at the same time. Also, that system allows for a multi-language service. We have these services during Advent and during Lent. The servoces are VERY refreshing! 
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Gratias agamus Domino Deo nostro.
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AggieCatholic
Member
| Joined: | Mon Oct 9th, 2006 |
| Location: | San Antonio, Texas USA |
| Posts: | 82 |
| First Name: | Lance | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | United Methodist to Roman Catholic (Anglican Use) |
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Posted: Mon Dec 11th, 2006 06:54 pm |
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| My parish is having one next week. Thanks for the description. I was originally under the impression that absolution would be granted in general. Now, I know I must be prepared for a personal confession. Gonne be a long one, I'm sorry to say.
____________________
What part of, "Hoc est enim Corpus meum" don't you understand?
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BodRod
Member
| Joined: | Mon Oct 2nd, 2006 |
| Location: | Apple Valley, California USA |
| Posts: | 770 |
| First Name: | Cliff | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Raised an SDA, then Generic Christian, finally at home with ... |
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Posted: Mon Dec 11th, 2006 07:44 pm |
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I would suggest that you ask Rick about the procedure or look it up on the Internet. I don't think they want an accounting of your entire life. Our priest just wanted the "BIGGIES". After that, I cited the verse in Romans (I think) where all have sinned. I also asked forgiveness for what I may not have done that I should have (Nicene Creed). Father then he gave me Absolution for the BIGGIES and the "little ones". I was VERY tense about the entire thing. Father understood my situation and helped me get through it. Since my first participation in Reconciliation, I have come to realize that there probably is not much that the priests have not already heard. So, just relax as best you can, be honest, make you confession, wait for Absolution and possibly other blessings that may come your way.
Best wishes.
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Gratias agamus Domino Deo nostro.
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CajunRick
Network Helper
| Joined: | Fri Sep 29th, 2006 |
| Location: | Houma, Louisiana USA |
| Posts: | 5079 |
| First Name: | Rick (& Kermie) | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Lifetime Catholic, Latin Rite |
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Posted: Mon Dec 11th, 2006 11:51 pm |
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BodRod wrote: I would suggest that you ask Rick about the procedure or look it up on the Internet. I don't think they want an accounting of your entire life. Our priest just wanted the "BIGGIES". After that, I cited the verse in Romans (I think) where all have sinned. I also asked forgiveness for what I may not have done that I should have (Nicene Creed). Father then he gave me Absolution for the BIGGIES and the "little ones". I was VERY tense about the entire thing. Father understood my situation and helped me get through it. Since my first participation in Reconciliation, I have come to realize that there probably is not much that the priests have not already heard. So, just relax as best you can, be honest, make you confession, wait for Absolution and possibly other blessings that may come your way.
Best wishes.
Only mortal sins must be confessed. I guess that's what you mean by "biggies". However, for a first confession, I strongly recommend a private meeting with the priest rather than taking part in a penance service. That will give you the time and opportunity to receive spiritual guidance as well as making an accounting of the sinfulness of your prior life, and give you the opportunity to "start over". Regularly scheduled confession prior to mass is also not a good idea, again because of time constraints. You are really shortchanging yourself.
But actually, they do want an accounting of your entire life. Not specifics, but general patterns of sinfulness. If, for example, you spent ten years cohabitating without marriage when you were younger, it's important to mention that. You don't have to say you had intercourse 1560 times; the length of the relationship is enough. The priest will ask you if you understand why that was wrong and will give you spiritual guidance on the issue. That's hard to do at a penance service when there may be a long line behind you, all wondering what you've been up to that you're taking so long!
As for procedure, the best thing to do is to start with the sign of the cross, tell the priest how long it's been since your last confession, and if you're not sure what to do next, tell him. He'll guide you through.
____________________
Understanding is the reward of faith. Therefore seek not to understand that you may believe, but believe that you may understand. - Augustine
Rick Luquette
Luquette Lane
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