A personal account of how the Sacrament of Confession / Reconciliation needs to be kept Private and Sacred

Pic: Public Domain Clip Art

“Bless me, Father, for I have sinned,” I said many years ago as a 10 year old in grammar school.

“It has been a long time since my last confession,” I then continued.

Secretly, I hoped to myself that Fr. _____ would not recognized my voice nor tell my parents about what I would say.

“I ask God's forgiveness for something I'm really sorry for,” as I hesitated on continuing speaking.

“Go on; I am listening,” the priest gently said behind the veiled opening in the confessional, as I was kneeling and anxiously hoping to spill out my guts.

I had prepared somewhat for this Sacrament by “examining my conscience,” as it was/is sometimes termed.

Basically, I had then been lately experiencing a gnawing interior feeling that something I had done was not right and needed to be addressed.

Sure, talking to my friends had helped, but some things are truly on a spiritual level.

“Father, I have dishonored my parents by __________________; I don't really know if I can be forgiven,” I then said, and continued, “I'm really sorry,” as I almost began to cry.

I hoped Father would not tell anybody, especially my parents, about what I had done.

Father then assuredly told me, “Have no fear, my son; I cannot and will not tell anyone!”

Father went on to tell me that God loved me and would forgive me, since I had come to him/Him in humility.

Father then went on to request that I make amends and do good works for my parents- especially in reparation for having broken the 4th Commandment - as a part of my penance, that also included some prayers.

Following my recitation of the Act of Contrition, Father blessed me and said, “Your sins are forgiven; peace be with you.”

Wow – it felt as if a ton of bricks had been lifted off of my shoulder! And what a relief that no one, even my parents, would ever be told about what I had done!

As I ponder back at that incident, I'm reminded now that as an adult, I need to continue honoring my Father (God) and Mother (Church) by keeping all of the Commandments – even those that may seem to be less emphasized nowadays.

What a blessing it is to have the privilege of being able to privately and sacredly confess my sins to God when, through the human condition, I falter, like we all can do at times.

As a professional and licensed clinical social worker who does, at times, have the responsibility and duty to possibly warn people who may be in danger of something I've become aware of per my private counseling work, I do also understand the importance of the current and millennial Church tradition of keeping the seal of confession as absolute and inviolable. As noted in one of my favorite spiritual songs, "This is Holy Ground!"

Keith John Paul Horcasitas, LSCW, 1133 Knollhaven Drive, BRLA 70810, khorcasitas.yahoo.com, July 13, 2014.