238. Seal of the confessional

Seal of the confessional

YOUCAT Catechism of the Catholic Church Lesson 238

Ave Maria series

238  May a priest later repeat something  he has learned in confession?

No.  Under no circumstances.  The secrecy of the confessional is absolute.  Any priest who would tell another person something he had learned in the confessional would be excommunicated.  Even to the police, the priest cannot say or suggest anything.  [1467]

This marks the place on the bridge parapet where John of Nepomuk was thrown into the Vitava  River. …..238

St. John of Nepomuk (c. 1345 – March 20, 1393) is the saintof Bohemia (Czech Republic), who was drowned in the Vitava river at the behest of Wenceslaus, King of the Romans and King of Bohemia. Later accounts state that he was the confessor of the queen of Bohemia and refused to divulge the secrets of the confessional. 

“Knowing that the (queen) was going to Confession to the young priest, (King) Wenceslaus invited (John of Nepomuk) to his palace and tried to bribe him to reveal to him the contents of the queen’s Confession, but St. John replied that the Seal of the Sacrament of Confession prevented his disclosing anything. The king then tried torture. He had Father John thrown in prison where he was racked and had his sides burned with torches, but the only thing that he said during his suffering were the names of Jesus and Mary. After one more failed attempt to alter the priest’s resolve, Wenceslaus had him paraded through the city with a block of wood in his mouth, a mockery of the Sacramental seal, to the Charles Bridge, where his hands and feet were bound and he was thrown into the Moldau River where he drowned. Since, he has been considered a martyr to the Seal of Confession and a patron saint of confessors.” –Catholic Preaching, Fr. Roger J. Landry, Diocese of Fall River. January 25, 2013

There is hardly anything that priests take more seriously than the seal of the confessional.  There are priests who have suffered torture for it and have gone to their deaths.  Therefore, you can speak candidly and unreservedly to a priest and confide in him with great peace of mind, because his only job at that moment is to be entirely “the ear of God”.

Love Jesus!  Have no fear!  Even if you had committed all the sins in this world, Jesus repeats these words to you: ‘Your many sins are forgiven, because you loved much’.”  St. Padre Pio of Pietrelcina (1887-1968, one of the most popular saints of Italy)

THE MINISTER OF THIS SACRAMENT

1467  Given the delicacy and greatness of this ministry and the respect due to persons, the Church declares that every priest who hears confessions is bound under very severe penalties to keep absolute secrecy regarding the sins that his penitents have confessed to him. He can make no use of knowledge that confession gives him about penitents' lives.(compare Codex Iuris Canonici, can. 1388 § 1; Corpus Canonum Ecclesiarm Orientalium, can. 1456.)⁷² This secret, which admits of no exceptions, is called the "sacramental seal," because what the penitent has made known to the priest remains "sealed" by the sacrament.

Saint John of Nepomuk

237. Excommunication

Excommunication

YOUCAT Catechism + Catechism of the Catholic Church Lesson 237

Ave Maria series

237  Are there sins that are so serious that not even the average priest can forgive them?

There are sins in which a man turns completely away from God and at the same time, because of the seriousness of the deed, incurs excommunication.  When a sin results in “excommunication” absolution can be granted only by the bishop or a priest delegated by him, and, in a few cases, only by the Pope.  In danger of death, any priest can absolve from every sin and excommunication.  [1463]

The Gentle Mastery of Christ.     “Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest.    Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for your selves.    For my yoke is easy, and my burden light.”–Matthew  11:28-30.  …..237

A Catholic who, for example, cooperates in an abortion automatically excludes himself from sacramental communion; the Church simply acknowledges this fact.  The purpose of “excommunication” is to correct the sinner and to lead him back to the right path.

[1463]

THE MINISTER OF THIS SACRAMENT

1463  Certain particularly grave sins incur excommunication, the most severe ecclesiastical penalty, which impedes the reception of the sacraments and the exercise of certain ecclesiastical acts, and for which absolution consequently cannot be granted, according to canon law, except by the Pope, the bishop of the place or priests authorized by them. In danger of death any priest, even if deprived of faculties for hearing confessions, can absolve from every sin and excommunication.(compareCodex Iuris Canonici, can. 976; Corpus Canonum Ecclesiarm Orientalium, can. 725.)^69--Catechism of the Catholic Church, Second Edition

JT  Jesus finds

236. The minister of confession

The minister of confession

YOUCAT Catechism + Catechism of the Catholic Church Lesson 236

Ave Maria series

236  Why are priests the only ones who can forgive sins?

No man can forgive sins unless he has a commission from God to do so and the power given by him to ensure that the forgiveness he promises the penitent really takes place.  The bishop, in the first place, is appointed to do that and, then, his helpers, the ordained priests.  [1461-1466, 1495]

Jesus saying farewell to his eleven remaining disciples, from the Maesta by Duccio, 1308–1311.…..236

Appearance to the Disciples.   On the evening of that first day of the week, when the doors were locked, where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in their midst and said to them, “Peace be with you.”  When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side.   The disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord.    [Jesus] said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.”  And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the holy Spirit.   Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained.”–John 20:19-23

“Candor toward a brother must not be mistaken for confession.  The latter is made to the Lord of heaven and earth in the presence of a man who is authorized to hear it.”  Brother Roger Schutz (1915-2005)

In 1907  Pope Pius X specifically reaffirmed the relevance of Gospel of John 20:22-23 to the Sacrament of Reconciliation.  He quotedJohn 20:22-23:"Receive the Holy Spirit; whose sins you shall forgive, they are forgiven them; and whose sins you shall retain, they are retained."

[1461-1466, 1495]

THE MINISTER OF THIS SACRAMENT

1461  Since Christ entrusted to his apostles the ministry of reconciliation, (compare John 20:23; 2 Corinthians 5:18)⁶⁵bishops who are their successors, and priests, the bishops' collaborators, continue to exercise this ministry. Indeed bishops and priests, by virtue of the sacrament of Holy Orders, have the power to forgive all sins "in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit." –Catechism of the Catholic Church, Second Edition

1462  Forgiveness of sins brings reconciliation with God, but also with the Church. Since ancient times the bishop, visible head of a particular Church, has thus rightfully been considered to be the one who principally has the power and ministry of reconciliation: he is the moderator of the penitential discipline.(compare Lumen Gentium 26 § 3.)⁶⁶  Priests, his collaborators, exercise it to the extent that they have received the commission either from their bishop (or religious superior) or the Pope, according to the law of the Church.(compare Codex Iuris Canonici, cann. 844; 967-969; 972; Corpus Canonum Ecclesiarum Orientalium, can. 722 §§ 3-4.)⁶⁷--CCC

1463  Certain particularly grave sins incur excommunication, the most severe ecclesiastical penalty, which impedes the reception of the sacraments and the exercise of certain ecclesiastical acts, and for which absolution consequently cannot be granted, according to canon law, except by the Pope, the bishop of the place or priests authorized by them. In danger of death any priest, even if deprived of faculties for hearing confessions, can absolve from every sin and excommunication.(compareCodex Iuris Canonici, can. 976; Corpus Canonum Ecclesiarum Orientalium, can. 725.)⁶⁹--CCC

1464  Priests must encourage the faithful to come to the sacrament of Penance and must make themselves available to celebrate this sacrament each time Christians reasonably ask for it.(compare Codex Iuris Canonici, can. 486; Corpus Canonum Ecclesiarum Orientalium, can. 735; Presbyterorum Ordinis 13.)⁷⁰--CCC

1465  When he celebrates the sacrament of Penance, the priest is fulfilling the ministry of the Good Shepherd who seeks the lost sheep, of the Good Samaritan who binds up wounds, of the Father who awaits the prodigal son and welcomes him on his return, and of the just and impartial judge whose judgment is both just and merciful. The priest is the sign and the instrument of God's merciful love for the sinner. --CCC

1466 The confessor is not the master of God's forgiveness, but its servant. The minister of this sacrament should unite himself to the intention and charity of Christ. (compare Presbyterorum Ordinis 13.)⁷¹  He should have a proven knowledge of Christian behavior, experience of human affairs, respect and sensitivity toward the one who has fallen; he must love the truth, be faithful to the Magisterium of the Church, and lead the penitent with patience toward healing and full maturity. He must pray and do penance for his penitent, entrusting him to the Lord's mercy.–CCC

IN BRIEF

1495  Only priests who have received the faculty of absolving from the authority of the Church can forgive sins in the name of Christ. –CCC

JR  Apostles Jesus sa

235. The confession of sins

The confession of sins

YOUCAT catechism + Catechism of the Catholic Church Lesson 235

Ave Maria  series

235  Can I make a confession even if I have not committed any serious sin?

Confession is a great gift of healing that brings about closer union with the Lord, even if, strictly speaking, you do not have to go to confession.  [1458]

These Vietnamese Trappist Cistercian monks know the meaning of “holy joy.”  Having lived the full two-year Trappist Cistercian novitiate myself, I understand the peace reflected on the faces of the above religious men.  In the Trappist novitiate we went to confession weekly to root out every imperfection. Now, 60 years later, I seek the confessional once month. …..235

In Taize, at Catholic conferences, at World Youth Day celebrations-everywhere, you see young people being reconciled with God.  Christians who take seriously their decision to follow Jesus seek the joy that comes from a radical new beginning with God.  Even the saints went to confession regularly, if possible.  They needed it in order to grow in humility and charity, so as to allow themselves to be touched by God’s healing light even in the inmost recesses of their souls.

We put off our conversion again and again until death, but who says that we will still have the time and strength for it then?”  St. John Vianney (1786-1859)

[1458]

The confession of sins

1458  Without being strictly necessary, confession of everyday faults (venial sins) is nevertheless strongly recommended by the Church.(compare Council of Trent: Denzinger-Schönmetzer 1680; Codex Iuris Canonici, can. 988 § 2.)⁵⁹   Indeed the regular confession of our venial sins helps us form our conscience, fight against evil tendencies, let ourselves be healed by Christ and progress in the life of the Spirit. By receiving more frequently through this sacrament the gift of the Father's mercy, we are spurred to be merciful as he is merciful(compare Luke 6:36.)⁶⁰–Catechism of the Catholic Church, Second Edition

Whoever confesses his sins . . . is already working with God. God indicts your sins; if you also indict them, you are joined with God. Man and sinner are, so to speak, two realities: when you hear "man" - this is what God has made; when you hear "sinner" - this is what man himself has made. Destroy what you have made, so that God may save what he has made. . . . When you begin to abhor what you have made, it is then that your good works are beginning, since you are accusing yourself of your evil works. The beginning of good works is the confession of evil works. You do the truth and come to the light.(St. Augustine, In Jo. ev. 12,13:Patrologia Latina 35,1491.)⁶¹–CCC 

Church Trappist  Vietnamese

234. The confession of sins

The confession of sins 

YOUCAT Catechism + Catechism of the Catholic Church Lesson 234

Ave Maria series

234  When is a Catholic obliged to confess his serious sins?  How often should one go to confession?

Upon reaching the age of reason, a Catholic is obliged to confess his serious sins.  The Church urgently advises the faithful to do this at least once a year.  At any rate one must go to confession before receiving Holy Communion if one has committed a serious sin.  [1457]

Saint Augustine of Hippo (354–430), Latintheologian. His writing on free will and original sin remains influential in Western Christendom.…..234

By “the age of reason”, the Church means the age at which one has arrived at the use of reason and has learned to distinguish between good and bad.  315-320

“It is not correct to think we must live like this, so that we are never in need of pardon.  We must accept our frailty but keep on going, not giving up but moving forward and becoming converted ever anew through the sacrament of Reconciliation for a new start, and thus grow and mature in the Lord by our communion with him.”  Pope Benedict XVI, February 17, 2007

 [1457]

The confession of sins 

1457  According to the Church's command, "after having attained the age of discretion, each of the faithful is bound by an obligation faithfully to confess serious sins at least once a year."(compare Codex Iuris Canonici, Can. 989; Council of Trent (1551): Denzinger-Schönmetzer 1683; DS 1708.)⁵⁶  Anyone who is aware of having committed a mortal sin must not receive Holy Communion, even if he experiences deep contrition, without having first received sacramental absolution, unless he has a grave reason for receiving Communion and there is no possibility of going to confession.(compare Council of Trent (1551): Denzinger-Schönmetzer1647; 1661; Codex Iuis Canonici, can. 916; Corpus Canonum Ecclesiarum Orientalium, can. 711.)⁵⁷  Children must go to the sacrament of Penance before receiving Holy Communion for the first time.(Codex Iuris Canonici, can. 914.)⁵⁸ –CCC

Saint  Age of reason

First Sunday of Advent, December 2, 2018

Art deco statue of the Christ in Swiebodzin, Poland

First Sunday of Advent, December 2, 2018
Lectionary: 3

Reading 1   JEREMIAH 33:14-16

The days are coming, says the LORD, when I will fulfill the promise I made to the house of Israel and Judah. In those days, in that time, I will raise up for David a just shoot ; he shall do what is right and just in the land.  In those days Judah shall be safe and Jerusalem shall dwell secure; this is what they shall call her: “The LORD our justice.”

Responsorial Psalm   PSALM 25:4-5, 8-9, 10, 14

R. (1b) To you, O Lord, I lift my soul.

Your ways, O LORD, make known to me;
teach me your paths,
Guide me in your truth and teach me,
for you are God my savior,
and for you I wait all the day. 

R. To you, O Lord, I lift my soul.

Good and upright is the LORD;
thus he shows sinners the way.
He guides the humble to justice,
and teaches the humble his way. 

R. To you, O Lord, I lift my soul.

All the paths of the LORD are kindness and constancy
toward those who keep his covenant and his decrees.
The friendship of the LORD is with those who fear him,
and his covenant, for their instruction. 

R. To you, O Lord, I lift my soul.

Reading 2   1 THESSALONIANS 3:12—4:2

Brothers and sisters:  May the Lord make you increase and abound in lovefor one another and for all,
just as we have for you, so as to strengthen your hearts, to be blameless in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his holy ones. Amen.
Finally, brothers and sisters, we earnestly ask and exhort you in the Lord Jesus that,as you received from us how you should conduct yourselves to please Godand as you are conducting yourselvesyou do so even more.  For you know what instructions we gave you through the Lord Jesus.

Alleluia  PSALM 85:8

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Show us, Lord, your love;
and grant us your salvation.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel   LUKE 21:25-28, 34-36

Jesus said to his disciples:  “There will be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars, and on earth nations will be in dismay, perplexed by the roaring of the sea and the waves. People will die of fright in anticipation of what is coming upon the world, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken.  And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. But when these signs begin to happen, stand erect and raise your heads because your redemption is at hand.
“Beware that your hearts do not become drowsy from carousing and drunkenness and the anxieties of daily life, and that day catch you by surprise like a trap. For that day will assault everyonewho lives on the face of the earth. Be vigilant at all times and pray that you have the strength to escape the tribulations that are imminent and to stand before the Son of Man.”

JA Art deco statue

233. The confession of sins

The confession of sins

YOUCAT Catechism + Catechism of the Catholic Church Lesson 233

Ave Maria series

233  What sins must be confessed?

Under normal circumstances, all serious sins that one remembers after making a thorough examination of conscience and that have not yet been confessed can be forgiven only in individual sacramental confession.  [1457]

 A simple confession box at Our Lady of Manaoag, Philippines.…..233

Of course there will be reluctance before making a confession.  Overcoming it is the first step toward interior healing.  Often it helps to think that even the Pope has to have the courage to confess his failings and weaknesses to another priest—and thereby to God.  Only in life-or-death emergencies (for instance, during an airstrike in wartime or on other occasions when a group of people are in danger of death) can a priest administer “general absolution” to a group of people without the personal confession of sins beforehand.  However, afterwards, one must confess serious sins in a personal confession at the first opportunity.  315-320

ABSOLUTION (from Latin absolvere=to loosen, acquit): The absolution of the priest is the sacramental forgiveness of one or more sins after the penitent’s confession of sins. The formula of absolution reads: “God, the merciful Father, by the death and Resurrection of his Son has reconciled the world to himself and sent the Holy Spirit for the forgiveness of sins. Through the ministry of the Church may he give you pardon and peace.   And I absolve you from your sins, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.”

[1457]

The confession of sins

1457  According to the Church's command, "after having attained the age of discretion, each of the faithful is bound by an obligation faithfully to confess serious sins at least once a year."( compareCodex Iuris Canonici, Can. 989; Council of Trent (1551): Denzinger-Schönmetzer 1683; DS 1708.)⁵⁶  Anyone who is aware of having committed a mortal sin must not receive Holy Communion, even if he experiences deep contrition, without having first received sacramental absolution, unless he has a grave reason for receiving Communion and there is no possibility of going to confession.(compare Council of Trent (1551): Denzinger-Schönmetzer 1647; 1661; Codex Iuris Canonici, can. 916; CCEO, can. 711.)⁵⁷Children must go to the sacrament of Penance before receiving Holy Communion for the first time.(compareCodex Iuris Canonici, can. 914.)⁵⁸ –Catechism of the Catholic Church

Sacrament  Penance conf