It would make for a great argument to restore anonymity to confession. I absolutely hate the therapistesque, face-to-face, box of tissues-style that has become the default where I’m from.
The basilica has a number of beautiful confessionals, but they’re only used during the larger penitential evenings held in Lent and Advent. Otherwise, you’re in the “Reconciliation Room”. 🤮
It would make for a great argument to restore anonymity to confession. I absolutely hate the therapistesque, face-to-face, box of tissues-style that has become the default where I’m from.
The basilica has a number of beautiful confessionals, but they’re only used during the larger penitential evenings held in Lent and Advent. Otherwise, you’re in the “Reconciliation Room”. 🤮
I have great appreciation for my typical Confessional, which is well stocked with kneeler, crucifix, Act of Contrition, tissue box, trash can, and is large and well-lit... and is practically a separate room from the priest's, with a "window" between that is thoroughly screened. There's a lot to be said for ensuring that everything that might be needed is supplied, and that the environment is conducive to calm, so the possible anxieties are reduced to just the crux of the matter. "Conducive to calm" includes a means of ensuring anonymity and privacy.
I have yet to figure out why face-to-face is supposed to make it easier. I avoid it like the plague (thankfully, successfully for a decade or so) and have a Sacred Heart holy card to help remind me of Who, exactly, is on the business end of the operation.
It's not a therapy session. It's an appointment with the Divine Physician, who is there to heal you. The gentlest priests I've ever Confessed to, were behind those screens. They were also the only priests who've ever asked follow-up questions to ensure that they were getting an accurate understanding - something that is necessary for healing, and not necessary for warm fuzzy feelings.
It would make for a great argument to restore anonymity to confession. I absolutely hate the therapistesque, face-to-face, box of tissues-style that has become the default where I’m from.
The basilica has a number of beautiful confessionals, but they’re only used during the larger penitential evenings held in Lent and Advent. Otherwise, you’re in the “Reconciliation Room”. 🤮
I have great appreciation for my typical Confessional, which is well stocked with kneeler, crucifix, Act of Contrition, tissue box, trash can, and is large and well-lit... and is practically a separate room from the priest's, with a "window" between that is thoroughly screened. There's a lot to be said for ensuring that everything that might be needed is supplied, and that the environment is conducive to calm, so the possible anxieties are reduced to just the crux of the matter. "Conducive to calm" includes a means of ensuring anonymity and privacy.
I have yet to figure out why face-to-face is supposed to make it easier. I avoid it like the plague (thankfully, successfully for a decade or so) and have a Sacred Heart holy card to help remind me of Who, exactly, is on the business end of the operation.
It's not a therapy session. It's an appointment with the Divine Physician, who is there to heal you. The gentlest priests I've ever Confessed to, were behind those screens. They were also the only priests who've ever asked follow-up questions to ensure that they were getting an accurate understanding - something that is necessary for healing, and not necessary for warm fuzzy feelings.