Wednesday, April 8, 2020 –
I am very thankful that we still have the Sacrament of Penance in our diocese. Andrew and I usually try to go every couple of weeks throughout the year. With the added tension in the air and my shorter than usual temper, I’ve made even more frequent trips to the “sin bin.” (Sorry Father, and thank you!)
Making use of and forming the habit of frequent Confession is tough, but it is also wonderfully comforting!
We Catholics have a fabulous thing. Seriously, we can “dump” our sins and know that 100% we are forgiven because there is a priest right on the other side of the screen (or socially distant bench 6 feet away) who, in persona Christi, literally tells us “I absolve you!”
Sure, there is making an act of perfect contrition. In these crazy times, especially when Sacramental Confession is not immediately available, that is a thing. However, it also comes with the desire for the Sacrament of Penance and intention to receive Sacramental Confession at the very first opportunity. All of that, however, is for a different post written by a much more theologically knowledgeable person than me.
Back to frequent Confessions. If you have the Sacrament of Penance available to you, use it and use it often!
I highly recommend two books if you’re looking to buckle down with more frequent Confessions:
- Pardon and Peace by Father Alfred Wilson, C.P.
- Frequent Confession: Its Place in the Spiritual Life by Abbot Benedict Baur, OSB
Both books offer practical advice on how to make a good Confession, but they also have very sound advice on making little changes in your spiritual life, like nightly examination of conscience, without falling into scrupulosity.
Pardon and Peace is, regrettably, out of print, but you can find it on used book sites. It is a bit pricey, but worth it. Frequent Confession is more readily available on many good Catholic sites and usually runs $11 or $12 for paperback.
Saint Josemaría Escrivá, pray for us!
