Saints' Discussion Forums

'If you would know whether you have made a good confession, ask yourself if you have resolved to abandon your sins.'

St. Bernard of Clairvaux

It's so simple and yet. . .

-True resolve-.

I went to confession yesterday and a strange think happened.
During my confession a cell phone rang. Fr put his hand in his pocket and pulled out the phone and proceded to take the call. He talked to the caller (he explained to me afterwards that it was the Deacon) for about a minute and then turned to me and said, "As you were saying?"  ???

I have to add here that the priest is quite conservative (fora non traditionalists)  and although young (late 20's) he is one of the more dedicated, and for that reason I can overlook this weird incident.  :D

This is reminding me of one of the Audio Sancto sermons (http://www.audiosancto.org/sermon/20070930-No-cellphones-in-the-Confessional-Healing-and-making-our-souls-new-in-Christ.html) on no cell phones in the Confessional.

I like the new picture Martin!  :crucifix:

 :rotfl: :rotflblue:  Sorry Martin, I couldn't help laughing imagining you sitting there all confused for a whole minute.  It was improper though.

Yes there is a humorous side when I think about it.  :D
As long as I received absolution it still acheived the proper end.   :D

I listened to that sermon Shin about cell phones in the Confessional. Excellent.
It must be quite a problem these days. I know that even during Mass an odd cell phone can be heard most Sundays.

Confession heals, confession justifies, confession grants pardon of sin. All hope consists in confession. In confession there is a chance for mercy. Believe it firmly. Do not doubt, do not hesitate, never despair of the mercy of God. Hope and have confidence in confession.

-- Saint Isidore of Seville

Worth remembering.
I almost posted it again but decided to check before posting. Glad I did.

"Our Lord Himself I saw in this venerable Sacrament  . . . I felt as if my chains fell, as those of St. Peter at the touch of the Divine messenger. My God, what new scenes for my soul!

St. Elizabeth Ann Seton

What new scenes indeed!
If this is how she felt after confession, I wonder how she felt upon receiving the Holy Communion for the very first time after her conversion.

"To do penance is to bewail the evil we have done, and to do no evil to bewail"
Pope St. Gregory the Great

Well, I am quite honestly saddened to read about this. This is a Sacrament just as the Holy Eucharist is a Sacrament. Imagine a priest giving you Holy Communion, the phone rings, he puts his hand in his pocket, opens it and talks , no matter how briefly, puts the phone back and coolly proceeds! Phones should strictly speaking be off. In the confessional, the priest is acting in lieu of Christ and at that moment in time, the only important thing is the spiritual work at hand. Our Lord Himself when told that His mother and brethren were looking for him, he replied that his listeners were his mother and His brethren; presumably He made His mother wait a few minutes to tell us spiritual matters take precedence over material matters. In my opinion the priest erred:(

"After confession," says St. Chrysostom, "a crown is given to
penitents."

"My daughter, just as you prepare in My presence, so also you make your confession before Me. The person of the priest is, for Me, only a screen. Never analyse what sort of a priest it is that I am making use of; open your soul in confession as you would to Me, and I will fill it with My light"

St. Faustina, Divine Mercy in My Soul

A disobedient soul will win no victory, even if the Lord Jesus himself, in person, were to hear its confession.
St. Faustina

'The want of proper examination, true contrition, and a firm purpose of amendment, is the cause of bad confessions, and of the ruin of souls.'
St. Benedict Joseph Labre

"The confession of evil works is the first beginning of good works."
St. Augustine

"Our Lord Himself I saw in this venerable Sacrament  . . . I felt as if my chains fell, as those of St. Peter at the touch of the Divine messenger. My God, what new scenes for my soul!"
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton