The Anchoress
Been a long time since you’ve been to confession?
Well…Lent is coming
So are hard times.
If you’re feeling fretful, you may want to try incorporating some prayer and spiritual discipline into your life. And if you’re Catholic, and you want to get back into church, and begin to re-engage with the sacraments, or simply to get the most out of Lent, you might want to try going back to confession.
I confess, I love this sacrament and lately have been partaking of it once a month, both for the chance to talk things out, and for the graces it imparts. I know many people are comfortable with face-to-face confession. I have tried it a few times and frankly find it distracting. I’d rather be behind the screen. really focused and listening, rather than looking around, noticing a frayed cuff or that the rug is worn, but the church provides for both anonymous or face-to-face confession, so everyone can be comfortable.
Via Deacon Greg, these videos helpfully explain the process.
Yet even now, says the LORD, return to me with your whole heart, with fasting, and weeping, and mourning;
Rend your hearts, not your garments, and return to the LORD, your God.
— Joel 2:12-13
Do not be afraid. God is merciful. There is pretty much nothing you can tell a priest in confession that he has not heard before. Remember That you are dust.
Related:
On Confession
The Sins and the Fathers
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