I'm a frequent confess-er, probably 2-3x a month. I've never heard these tips, at first I thought they were overly simplistic but they are a good guide. Fr. Z’s 20 Tips For Making A Good Confession We should… 1) …examine our consciences regularly and thoroughly; 2) …wait our turn in line patiently; 3) …come at the time confessions are scheduled, not a few minutes before they are to end; 4) …speak distinctly but never so loudly that we might be overheard; 5) …state our sins clearly and briefly without rambling; 6) …confess all mortal sins in number and kind; 7) …listen carefully to the advice the priest gives; 8) …confess our own sins and not someone else’s; 9) …carefully listen to and remember the penance and be sure to understand it; 10) …use a regular formula for confession so that it is familiar and comfortable; 11) …never be afraid to say something “embarrassing”… just say it; 12) …never worry that the priest thinks we are jerks…. he is usually impressed by our courage; 13) …never fear that the priest will not keep our confession secret… he is bound by the Seal; 14) …never confess “tendencies” or “struggles”… just sins; 15) …never leave the confessional before the priest has finished giving absolution; 16) …memorize an Act of Contrition; 17) …answer the priest’s questions briefly if he asks for a clarification; 18) …ask questions if we can’t understand what he means when he tells us something; 19) …keep in mind that sometimes priests can have bad days just like we do; 20) …remember that priests must go to confession too … they know what we are going through.
Lee, Thanks, Lee. The points are simple and clear enough; I need add nothing! Safe in the Hearts of Jesus and Mary!
These are great guidelines! I do have one to add though: If you tend to get nervous and forget what you wanted to tell the priest, or if you haven't been to confession in a long time, write down what you want to tell him and bring the paper in with you! Also add the Act of Contrition on the end if you don't know it well. Having notes can make that tough confession, or that first confession in 10 years a LOT easier! Believe me, I know. So does my mom, who hadn't been in 30 years! She took her paper in with her. Sometimes you end up not needing it but the act of writing things down in itself is just a good way to build confidence that you are making a good confession.
Also, if you have forgotten the act of contrition that you usually have in your purse for your kids and you write it down on the backside of the piece of paper that has YOUR sins on it because you are SO BRAIN DEAD and forgetful; don't give it to your 11 year old and tell her to give it to you later and then leave her with your husband. Mine handed my sins to my husband....we didn't discuss it, but we do know its the elephant in the room...lol
LOL - yes, I have been known to write mine on the back of my own "good confession" paper that I print and use when needed. Don't lend it to your husband for him to use after you are done with it! I highly recommend buying a sin-shredder!
Ooooooh Mothersuperior! That's a classic. I could imagine myself doing that if I started writing things down. However I appreciate that's good advice. My last confession was Divine Mercy Sunday with a priest I didn't know. He looked directly at me squirming in my seat and I became completely dumbstruck. I felt so daft. "Are you happy with yourself?" he asked, and like a rabbit caught in headlights I just said, "errrrr yes".
What a question! MC do you think you could post your "good confession"? It might be just the aid some of us need.
