“I Confess”, another episode of That Catholic Show
One of the joys of priesthood, at least for me, is the sacrament of Reconciliation. I guess I have been lucky, since I have always been at parishes that have promoted this wonderful sacrament. At St. James in Red Bank, we heard Confessions everyday, except Sunday, and there almost always were people seeking the Lord’s Mercy. At my current assignment, while we do not offer the sacrament as often as St. James, we always have a good number of people on Saturday.
Greg and Jennifer Willits has produced another wonderful episode of That Catholic Show, and this episode is about Confession. There is only one thing that I would add to what they say about the sacrament (and maybe they did but I missed it), in addition to the principle effect of forgiving sins, the sacrament also gives us the grace to grow in holiness. This is why the confession of things that we regularly struggle with, even if they are not mortal sins, is valuable. We need to overcome even the “small” vices. One of the prayers that the priest may say, after giving absolution, with I think is very beautiful and brings out the effects of the sacrament goes, “May the Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ, the intercession of the Blessed Virgin and of all the saints, whatever good you do and suffering you endure, heal your sins, help you to grow in holiness, and reward you with eternal life. Go in Peace.”
Enjoy That Catholic Show, Episode #8, “I Confess”
September 15th, 2007 at 5:04 pm
It was at St. James that I first met you, Father. Like many of your fans, I often would seek you out as my confessor, in large part because you were/are so good as a confessor.
That said, I was more than a little surprised when I read something you that wrote while you were still as Transitional Deacon and while you were still in the seminary. The article that you wrote appeared at one time on the Diocese’s web site and basically described your final year in the seminary. What surprised me was the slight anxiety that you expressed over a practicum course that you were taking and, more specifically, at the prospect of actually hearing confessions once ordained a priest. By the time I had read the article you were already a priest and I had already received absolution from you several times. I can remember reading the article and thinking to myself, “What was he so worried about? He is fantastic in the confessional.”
Anyway, I guess what I am trying to say is thanks. We sure do miss you at St. James.
Incidentally, I am unable to find the article that I mentioned above. If you can post a link to it here, I would certainly appreciate it. I think your other fans would as well.