MARY, OUR MOTHER

Our Lady of Fatima requested, through the First Saturday Devotions, that we Catholics go to confession at least once a month! Now that it is Lent, I think it would be a great time to get into this holy habit! Fr. John Zuhlsdorf posted this guideline on his Blog and I thought I would post it also!


Fr. Z’s 20 Tips For Making A Good Confession
We should…
1) ...examine our consciences regularly and thoroughly;
2) ...wait our turn in line patiently;
3) ...come at the time confessions are scheduled, not a few minutes before they are to end;
4) ...speak distinctly but never so loudly that we might be overheard;
5) ...state our sins clearly and briefly without rambling;
6) ...confess all mortal sins in number and kind;
7) ...listen carefully to the advice the priest gives;
8) ...confess our own sins and not someone else’s;
9) ...carefully listen to and remember the penance and be sure to understand it;
10) ...use a regular formula for confession so that it is familiar and comfortable;
11) ...never be afraid to say something "embarrassing"... just say it;
12) ...never worry that the priest thinks we are jerks…. he is usually impressed by our courage;
13) ...never fear that the priest will not keep our confession secret… he is bound by the Seal;
14) ...never confess "tendencies" or "struggles"... just sins;
15) ...never leave the confessional before the priest has finished giving absolution;
16) ...memorize an Act of Contrition;
17) ...answer the priest’s questions briefly if he asks for a clarification;
18) ...ask questions if we can’t understand what he means when he tells us something;
19) ...keep in mind that sometimes priests can have bad days just like we do;
20) ...remember that priests must go to confession too … they know what we are going through.

And let me add that you should offer your confession in reparation for the offences committed against the Immaculate Heart of Mary, receive Holy Communion, pray five decades of the Rosary, meditate for 15 minutes on the Mysteries of the Rosary, and pray for the Holy Father, for the Five First Saturday Devotion. Our Lady promises that She will assist us at the hour of our death with Her maternal presence if we do this for five First Saturday's in a row! What a gift! Why not use it!