Penance is similar to a hangover, and in more than one way - for, like a hangover, it ends in drinking more of the same stuff used the evening before.
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They seem to be unaware that going to a "communal penance service" is basically just preparation for going to individual confession. Communal penance is not a magic wand. I think the Bishop needs to do a bit more catechesis in that diocese!
We had over 150 people at our Lenten Penance Service. Not bad for a small church! Seven priests!
Communal confessions are illicit.
Just visited Krakow.
Amazing.
Every church had a few priests hearing confessions all day long - and always people in line waiting.
Its amazing how easy it is to do the right thing and obtain a state of grace when the opportunity is ubiquitous.
When was the last time you went into a church in the USA where it was easy to find a priest hearing confessions?
Having said all that, I was quite surprised to see that Poland has the lowest brith rate in Europe - 1.24.
One thing about confession is the humility it takes to confess a sin to another.
It's awfully easy to rationalize behavior, but in front of another, confessing out loud make the sin very heavy and real.
One tends not to repeat the sin or the pattern of sin that leads to transgression.
Simply acknowledging a sin personally and giving lipservice to God without confessing seems a pretty easy thing that could become virtually meaningless due to our human ability and fallen nature to rationalize and create excuses for ourselves.
More and more NEED confession. I hope it's a trend.