How wonderful to see families coming to Confession before they begin their school holidays . . .
We have some marvellous parents who are excellent models for their children. It reminds me once again of the importance of instilling good habits. Once children have made their First Confession, if children are brought regularly to Confession by their parents it makes such a difference. A good habit becomes a virtue, and we also know, 'good habits begin young.' I thank God that we have several families in the parish who do this and I would like to try to encourage more to follow suit.
I'm considering allocating one period a month of Saturday morning Confessions especially to hearing the Confessions of our children and families. I'd be interested to know if anyone has experience of something similar, and if they think it would be welcomed.
10 comments:
Father,
Sounds like a most commendable practice. Best wishes
Thank you Father Hope you keep well
Not sure how well this would be received to be honest. As a member of the parish with a family it wouldn't necessarily compel me to bring my family on that particular Saturday if we were not all in the right frame of mind to make a confession. We know when you do confessions and think the freedom should be there if we want to. Just because one of my daughters might make a confession I do not always want to myself at that point in time and vice versa. Is that wrong because we are not going as a family? But I do make sure we all go at Christmas and Easter.
Thank you for your comment, Jane. What I'm suggesting is that in order to get into the good habit of regular Confession, morning Confessions on the first Saturday of the month, would be especially for children and parents.
This is no way compels parents and/or children to attend. Nor does it prevent parents and/or children from coming to Confession at any other time.
The important thing is to establish regular and frequent Confession.
I totally understand what you are trying to achieve and think it is very important to make regular confessions. Do you think there is a fine line though between confessing too frequently and therefore becoming flippant about it against the process of really examining your conscience and making a thorough confession?
Thank you once again, Jane, for your comment. We are all sinners and the Lord has left us this Sacrament to assist us on our path to holiness. Each of us has to ask ourselves what we mean by 'frequent Confession'?
Weekly might be 'frequent' for some, whereas monthly might be 'frequent' for others. Whether weekly, monthly or less often, what is important is to establish a regular pattern of Confession.
With daily examination of conscience we become very aware of our need to approach the Sacrament more frequently, and therefore we don't treat the Sacrament casually or flippantly.
Father,
As you say, frequent confession varies. I know a very holy Jesuit who goes to Confession daily. Some of the previous Popes are said to have had the same practice.
Seems to me that the more people progress in holiness and the spiritual life the more they frequent this powerful Sacrament. Not sure if that is a case of post factum or propter factum!
I consider myself lax if I go less frequently than weekly.
Best wishes.
Dear Fr Miceal,I have just linked up to the blog and read with some interest the comments in relation to regular confession.One of the reasons I kept this practise up over the years was due to having cared for a number of people,some of whom were terminally ill.I discovered how they acquired strength and interior peace to face pain and suffering when they turned their gaze to God!I find that I too,can cope better with life in general when I go.There's an old proverb:Don't leave for tommorrow what you can do today!
If we do not encourage our children to approach God in confession and say sorry regularly, how will they learn to obey us as they grow?
If we truly believe in the presence of Almighty God in the Eucharist, we would be in the confessionals always +
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