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My first experience of making a confession face to face was when I was in high school around 1970. Our confessional at the Church had the option of face to face or the screen and since the priest in my parish told us that "going face to face was the more adult way of communication" I knew that I had to do it since I was a teenager and thus an adult.
Then confessionals went from dark, scary places to bright cheerful places. I can remember my pastor in my first assignment renovating our "room of reconciliation" to have very flowery, daisies on the the wall paper so people would feel comfortable and be cheery as they confessed to murder and mayhem.
A few years ago, a decree came from the Vatican stated that the choice or going to confession face to face actually belongs to the priest, meaning that the priest had the right to exclude face-to-face confessions if he felt it necessary to do so. Of course a priest could not take away anonymous confession which is the penitent's right.
I tend to think that with many of the faddish renewal movements in the Church immediately following Vatican II, that turning the confessional into a room of reconciliation gives the impression that this is the place for spiritual counseling and comfort, not the cleansing of mortal sin, penance, absolution and pardon. What more do we want apart from the grace not to sin anymore?
What are your thoughts on going to confession, face to face or behind a screen, in a bright cheery room or an dark, forbidding confessional?
16 comments:
Well, I definitely prefer behind the screen; although, I can't really articulate a reason for that: I'm not afraid of being face-to-face with the priest. It is easier to listen carefully to the words of absolution when behind the screen. It always just seems a little awkward being face-to-face.
The one thing we are lacking at St. Joseph is a really nice, "dark and gloomy" confessional, though!
Yeah, with a pillory and a rack! That'll get 'em talking...lol.
100% the traditional box/screen. There is something to be said for concentrating one's thoughts and setting the holy apart from a mundane conversation.
I have always preferred confession behind a screen, and will always choose it if it is available, for two main reasons: 1) kneeling aids in the humbling process. By kneeling we physically acknowledge our nothingness towards an amazing and infinitely loving God that is so willing to forgive us. 2) the screen aids in a more open confession, in some cases, when we do want to remain anonymous and are uncomfortable to show our face because of our sin. It also helps block out the physical distractions for both parties. This might sound a bit extreme to some people, but as a matter of charity towards our priest, it would not hurt if women would go to confession behind the screen.
What a beautiful gift it is to be able to go to Confession!
Face to face was the worst thing I was forced to endure...It forever tainted my confessions..The personality of the Priest always comes through...Never again.
Maybe the priest should wear a burka for face to face confession!
Fr., only if they are confessing to blowing stuff up. LOL!
I like the burka idea. Penitent hoods could be hung outside the reconciliation room for all to wear.
Personally, I like the face-to-face approach. No sense hiding from ones' sins. I guess spiritual direction can sometimes be a part of the relationship that builds over time with a regular confessor, but should not be primary focus.
For regular pentitents I doubt it much matters if youa re face to face or behind the screen as Father can probably recognize your voice and determine who you are. Not that he's sitting there playing "What's My Line" with the confessor, but my point is that I don't think the screen is necessarily to make confession anonymous. The purpose of the screen is the same purpose behind ad Orientem Liturgy; i.e to remove the personality of the individual Priest while he acts in persona Christi. Whenever the Priest acts in this manner it is essential (in my opinion at least) that "the man" be diminished to the fullest extent possible, and "the intecessor" come to the fore.
Personally for me, as a child in the 1970s, face to face confession was a big reason to drive me away from the Sacrament. Now I prefer to the screen for all the reasons folks have posted here, but on a busy day (say like Good Friday) I can easily do face to face for convienence.
Maybe for some who have less "weighty" sins it may be easier to do the face to face thing, but for some of us who are deeply shamed by our sins, we find it much easier to talk directly to God through the Priest, through the screen. Otherwise with less serious sins I believe people face to face look for something more akin to a spiritual counseling session. With the booth you go in, you confees, you're given penance, and then absolved. At least that is how it is supposed to be. Since its' been done I guess there is no going back and as long as there is the choice for both, then so be it for the time being. But overall, when digging deep into the reasons for the anonymity with the confessional booth they seem to make the most sense. The bottom line anyways.
I agree that 'kneeling aids in the humbling process.' I came into full communion with the church two years ago and at first I preferred the face-to-face but now I'm more comfortable behind the screen. I feel it keeps me focused on the reason why I'm there, to ask for the Lord's mercy and forgiveness. Plus, it distracted me when our priest would look out the window or at the pictures on the walls during my confession.
Yeah, or run out screaming and tearing his hair...lol.
I totally agree with Mary's comments. I much prefer the screen. There are too many distractions face-to-face.
At St Clair of Assisi's home church in Italy (if my memory serves me right) the confessional has a drwawing of a crucified Christ right next to the confession screen. I wonder how well that would go over in our "feel good - warm and fuzzy" culture ...
A priest hearing confessions is not a doctor, lawyer, or social worker! There's only one thing he can do for us: restore us, if we ourselves are so disposed, to a state of grace. In the Sacrament of Penance we personally encounter Christ the merciful, and the screen option heightens this reality.
--William
I just want to ask, where can I find the black confessional shown in this site? Thanks
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