What happens at a Catholic confessional?

Question

kinda like what all the " I never " confessions tonight???

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Answer 1

Girl, you don't wanna know!

Answer 2

Jesus, acting in and through his priest, according to the power and authority Christ gave to the church, forgives all the sins that are confessed by the penitent, and replenishes sanctifying grace in that person's soul, subject to three usual conditions:

1) The penitent must be truly sorry for his/her sins.

2) The penitent must have a firm intention to repent, and a real possibility of authentic repentence must exist.

3) The penitent MUST confess all known "mortal" (very serious) sins, as intentionally holding back even one mortal sin will make the confession invalid.

Assuming that all this is properly done, the priest assigns a small "penance" that usually consists of a few prayers, he asks the penitent to recite a short prayer called "The Act of Contrition", and finally, the priest officially absolves the penitent of sin, by reciting the words of absolution,which are an essential part of this sacrament of reconciliation.

The biggest advantage of confessing in this way, is that it's complete, it's convenient, and it's a sure thing.

In the Catholic sacrament of reconciliation, because Jesus gave the power to forgive sins to his bishops and priests, there's absolutey no doubt ... once the priest recites the words of absolution ... that your sins have been completely forgiven.

You typically walk out of the confessional a "new" person in Christ.

By comparison, those who prefer to confess only to God (which is OK, too, if done properly) will not know whether or not God actually accepted their apology, until they appear before Christ on Judgment Day. This uncertainty could leave some unforeseen spiritual liabilities in place, that might be unpleasant to deal with.

Catholics enjoy the peace of Christ, because thanks to the great sacrament of reconciliation, they KNOW their sins have been forgiven, and they also know that should they slip up again, absolution is readily available, whenever they might need it.

This is especially comforting when one is facing the possibility of imminent death.

And since no one knows when death may occur, smart Catholics confess their sins on a regular basis, and then they simply go out and live life to the fullest ... NO WORRIES!

It's good to be a Catholic.

Answer 3

This is one way how to go to Confession

+ Get yourself ready by making your examination of conscience.

You enter the confessional. You can choose to talk to the priest face to face or anonymously behind a screen.

+ After the priest greets you with the Sign of the Cross make the Sign of the Cross and say: “Bless me Father for I have sinned. It has been (say how long) since my last confession. These are my sins…”

+ Tell your sins simply and honestly to the priest. Don’t be embarrassed.

+ When you are done listing your sins please say: “…I am sorry for these sins and all the sins I can’t remember.”

+ Listen to the advice the priest gives you and accept the penance from him. Then make an Act of Contrition for your sins:

My God,
I am sorry for my sins with all my heart.
In choosing to do wrong
And failing to do good,
I have sinned against you
whom I should love above all things.
I firmly intend, with your help,
to do penance,
to sin no more,
and to avoid whatever leads me to sin.
Amen.

+ The priest will then conclude with the words: “Your sins are truly forgiven, Go in Peace”. You respond: “Thanks be to God.”

+ Perform your penance as soon as possible.

For more information, see the Catechism of the Catholic Church, sections 1422 and following: http://www.nccbuscc.org/catechism/text/pt2sect2chpt2.htm#art4

With love in Christ.

Answer 4

you say what you did wrong to some guy behind a curtain and he will tell you how many Bloody Mary's you have to drink to have your sins and actions forgiven! - simple and fun -if i would go to a confession I would need a liver transplant after wards! there isn't enough vodka on this earth for my sins !

Edit - I guess I was just informed that that would be HAIL MARY'S and not BLOODY MARY' S - I knew why Atheism is better the Catholicism !

Answer 5

One confesses their sins and receives penance in the Roman Church; however, in the Eastern Church one faces the Icon of Christ and confesses their sins and the priest covers the head of the person with his Epitrachelion (Stole) and reads the prayers of repentance:

God the Father of mercies, through the death and resurrection of his Son, has reconciled the world to Himself and sent the Holy Spirit among us for the forgiveness of sins; through the ministry of the Church may God give you pardon and peace, and I absolve you from your sins in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

Answer 6

A person confesses his sins to a human being instead of confessing to the only one who can forgive sins, who is Jesus Christ.

Answer 7

you tell your sins and the priest in the next box tells you if you're sorry you'll go to heaven, so people won't have any guilt over the things they done. it is a total loophole in being a catholic or a christian.

Answer 8

You go in, kneel down, wait for the priest to slide his little door open. You say, "Bless me, Father, for I have sinned. My last confession was ___ weeks ago," you tell him all of your perceived sins, he tells you to say three Hail Mary's and five Our Fathers, and boom, you're forgiven til next time.

Answer 9

you say a prayer to the priest and tell every sin that u have done since you last saw him for confession and he cant tell anything you say to ANYONE and he washes away your sins! not very hard

Answer 10

Once for my penance I had to sing the National Anthem.

Answer 11

You tell the Priest all of your sins.