'Writings along the Spiritual Way'
Thoughts on the Benefits of using the Cofessional Booth written for a Priest
Thoughts on the Benefits of using the Cofessional Booth written for a Priest
Can 964 3 Confessions are not to be heard outside a confessional without a just cause
Reconcillation is primally for the celebration of the reconciliation liturgy it is not a lounge or councilling room ect. Spiritual direction counciling therepy are more appropriate done in a space designated for these activities.
The following thoughts on the use of the Confessional were written with a priest in mind who passed many hours hearing confessions, using the open method outwith the confessional. The article is limited to some of the benefits of using the confessional box.The purpose is not to be polemic over different forms of celebrating the reconciliation liturgy, but to present some thoughts and spiritual insights into benefits of using the confessional.
The notes do not consider other aspects of confession nor attempt to give a general overview of the sacrament of reconciliation.
Reconcillation is primally for the celebration of the reconciliation liturgy it is not a lounge or councilling room ect. Spiritual direction counciling therepy are more appropriate done in a space designated for these activities.
The following thoughts on the use of the Confessional were written with a priest in mind who passed many hours hearing confessions, using the open method outwith the confessional. The article is limited to some of the benefits of using the confessional box.The purpose is not to be polemic over different forms of celebrating the reconciliation liturgy, but to present some thoughts and spiritual insights into benefits of using the confessional.
The notes do not consider other aspects of confession nor attempt to give a general overview of the sacrament of reconciliation.
+ Using the confessional at certain times will detach you from using only one method of celebrating the sacrament of reconciliation and from your personal preference for love of the Lord and his work and this act of devotion is pleasing to God and spiritually fruitful.
+ Regarding the penitent it is to be borne in mind that one method of hearing confessions does not suit all.
Some people wish to remain anonymous, require more privacy particularly the case with those present with sensitive issues, or perhaps perfer the more ‘devotional asmophere’ that the confessional provides.
+ The Confessional a ‘sacred space’ set apart specifically for the sacrament of penance and this ‘place’ has an effect on both the priest and penitent. The confessional favours the the sacrament of penance; the recongition of sin and its effects, and the difference between good and evil, rather than spiritual direction or discorces more appropriate to other settings.
+ The confessional will accentuate for you the distinction between – confession, spiritual direction, discussion. Straying into different areas of pastoral care such as direction counciling ect is an ever present temptation during confession and the use of the confessional with its inherent ‘dicipline’ and focus functions as a safeguard against straying into other forms of pastoral activity.
Related to the above point is the consideration that those penitants who may be in grave sin should not be put off confession by having to wait too long, being at the back of the ‘spiritual direction’ queue. The Cure’ d Ars was particularly sensitive to this schenario.
+ In the confessional what you do will be unseen by others and this will bring spiritual benefits to both yourself and the penitent. It will also have the effect of subjection to some extent your personality to the work again with ensuing benefits, as it is always to be formost in mind that the priest in the confessional does not operate in his own name but on behalf of God.
+ In the sacrament of penance the penitant can and indeed must ‘meet God’ and receive his response to their need. In our day there is an emphasis on ‘us’ on our personalities and ‘realisation’. The use of the confessional has the benefit of correcting this tendency.
+ Regarding the penitent it is to be borne in mind that one method of hearing confessions does not suit all.
Some people wish to remain anonymous, require more privacy particularly the case with those present with sensitive issues, or perhaps perfer the more ‘devotional asmophere’ that the confessional provides.
+ The Confessional a ‘sacred space’ set apart specifically for the sacrament of penance and this ‘place’ has an effect on both the priest and penitent. The confessional favours the the sacrament of penance; the recongition of sin and its effects, and the difference between good and evil, rather than spiritual direction or discorces more appropriate to other settings.
+ The confessional will accentuate for you the distinction between – confession, spiritual direction, discussion. Straying into different areas of pastoral care such as direction counciling ect is an ever present temptation during confession and the use of the confessional with its inherent ‘dicipline’ and focus functions as a safeguard against straying into other forms of pastoral activity.
Related to the above point is the consideration that those penitants who may be in grave sin should not be put off confession by having to wait too long, being at the back of the ‘spiritual direction’ queue. The Cure’ d Ars was particularly sensitive to this schenario.
+ In the confessional what you do will be unseen by others and this will bring spiritual benefits to both yourself and the penitent. It will also have the effect of subjection to some extent your personality to the work again with ensuing benefits, as it is always to be formost in mind that the priest in the confessional does not operate in his own name but on behalf of God.
+ In the sacrament of penance the penitant can and indeed must ‘meet God’ and receive his response to their need. In our day there is an emphasis on ‘us’ on our personalities and ‘realisation’. The use of the confessional has the benefit of correcting this tendency.
+ The confessional apart from the hearing faculty closes down the senses. This heightens the priests power of listening and develops spiritual capicity. The confessional puts the ‘spirit to work’ at a deeper level,by senses cutting off the except for the uditive, putting one more in turn with the ‘mind and will’ of the Holy Spirit at that moment. The development of spiritual capicity gained in the confessional can then be used in other pastoral situations
+ No confessor, and by this I mean a priest whos main work, or at least a large part of it is hearing confessions can be without ‘decernent of spirits’ and this the Holy Spirit will give.
Decernment of spirits is a spiritual gift, but like all abilities both natural and spiritual it has to be exercised for more effect. Using the confessional will aid the development of discernment of spirits.
Decernment of spirits is much needed in the Church of today and it can be exercised in diverse pastoral settings and be of assistance to other priests and pastoral workers.
+ Using the confessional makes the ‘confessor priest’ more aware of being a ‘part of the whole’. This awareness, contrary to what one might imgine becomes stronger the more distinct and therefore true to its own nature the sacrament of penence becomes from other pastoral activities. The use of the confessional facilitates this distinction.
+ Fidelity to the ministery of confession and particulaly to its demands of hiddeness and subjection to God of both the priest and penitent – is a sacrifice pleasing to God and will bring grace, blessing, wisdom and sprirtual growth: greater insight will be gained into the diverse ministries within the Body of Christ with their different functions and manifestations, all parts working together in harmony for the Glory of God
Jesus told his disciples: Receive the Holy Spirit.
If you forgive anyone's sins, they are forgiven; if you retain anyone's sins, they are retained
If you forgive anyone's sins, they are forgiven; if you retain anyone's sins, they are retained
Diana May Cockburn
2 February 2017
Feast of The Presentation of the Lord
Mercy and faithfulness have met
Justice and peace have embraced
Liturgy of the Presentation
2 February 2017
Feast of The Presentation of the Lord
Mercy and faithfulness have met
Justice and peace have embraced
Liturgy of the Presentation