Frequent Confession of Sin
Dan Burke and Melissa Elson discuss readers’ questions about frequent confession and the importance of confessing venial sins.
Search Results for: confession
What to Tell a Priest in a Devotional Confession
Fr. John Bartunek explains what one should say to a priest in a devotional confession.
Sin and Confession
Dan Burke and Melissa Elson answer questions from listeners about sin and confession, attachment to sin, mortal and venial sin, and much more!
Should I Still Go to Confession if I Have Nothing to Confess?
Why go to confession when you have no sins to confess? Find out when Fr. John Bartunek explains the benefits of this sacrament of mercy.
Confession
How does the sacrament of confession work in us? Father Gabriel of Saint Mary Magdalen explains in this excerpt from his classical Carmelite meditation book “Divine Intimacy”.
The Saints, Confession & Hearing God’s Voice
Dan Burke and Melissa Elson answer your questions about the saints, confession, and hearing God’s voice.
Spiritual Direction and Confession
What’s a good “ratio” for confession and for spiritual direction? Find out when Fr. John Bartunek answers a reader’s question with a short explanation of what is expected in each one situation.
Confessions of a “Say the Black Do the Red” Catholic
I have no doubt that the Pharisees would have loved the phrase, “Say the black, do the red.” By the way, I always say “Amen!” when I read it myself. Here’s the hard part: external orthodoxy is a distorted orthodoxy when it is not accompanied by a properly oriented interior life.
From Sorrow to Joy: Retreat Guide on the Sacrament of Confession
What is the Sacrament of Mercy and why is it so important? Where can I find a retreat on this? Make this discovery your own as you read the announcement of a new retreat guide, from Father John Bartunek.
What’s the Difference between Confession and Spiritual Direction?
Dear Father John, what is the difference between confession and spiritual direction? Confession and spiritual direction are like partially overlapping circles: they share some common characteristics, but their centers, their essences, are distinct. The Distinction of Confession The essence of confession is the sacramental grace that Christ gives to our soul through the ministry of … Read more
Confession, Devotional – Spiritual Dictionary
CONFESSION – DEVOTIONAL: The practice of regular confession even when one is not aware of mortal or even venial sins. This practice includes setting and keeping a specific schedule of self-examination and confession. This may also include the confession of past mortal or venial sins even if confessed previously in specific or in general. Devotional … Read more
Telling the Truth: Confessions of a Former Tabloid Writer
Telling the Truth: Confessions of a Former Tabloid Writer What do O. J. Simpson, The Bachelorette, Charlie Sheen and Angelina Jolie all have in common? The tabloids love them. On the way to the grocery store checkout, one cannot help but notice headlines flashing the latest scandals. If the high point of your day was … Read more
Video – Help me understand confession
Help Me Understand Confession Help Me Understand Confession: Fr. John Bartunek and Dan Burke talk about how to better understand confession. + “The Father has shown forth his mercy by reconciling the world to himself in Christ and by making peace for all things on earth and in heaven by the blood of Christ on … Read more
Spiritual Direction is NOT Confession
Spiritual Direction is NOT Confession Spiritual direction is not synonymous with confession. The challenge with distinguishing spiritual direction from confession usually comes when the modern inquirer reads the saints who talk about their spiritual director or confessor as if they are one and the same thing. The reason for this is that there was a … Read more
Father Z’s 20 Tips for Making a Good Confession
You and I are going to die someday. We don’t know when. When we die we will be judged. Scripture teaches, and Christ’s own words and actions make clear, that there are some sins bad enough to kill the life of grace in the soul and sever you from friendship with God. Die in that … Read more
What if I have nothing to confess, should I still go to confession?
Dear Father John, I recently heard someone mention the term “devotional confession.” I think this is what I need, but I am not sure what it really is. Is this the kind of confession we do when we are no longer living with habitual mortal or venial sins? Is this where we re-confess old sins … Read more
Spiritual Direction: More Involved Form of Confession?
Dear Father John, what is the difference between confession and spiritual direction? Confession and spiritual direction are like partially overlapping circles: they share some common characteristics, but their centers, their essences, are distinct. The Distinction of Confession The essence of confession is the sacramental grace that Christ gives to our soul through the ministry of … Read more
Solitude and Loneliness in the mission of the Church
“If we take up this call, the Holy Father has opened up a great mystery that can rebuild the whole Church.” – Dr. Anthony Lilles
