Msg Base:  AREA 5  - ASK FATHER            CIN ECHO   AMDG
  Msg No: 284.  Thu  4-09-92  8:44  (NO KILL)  (MAILED)
    From: Father Mateo
      To: Ken Taylor
 Subject: Sacrament of Penance

+-
|        Dear Father,
|  
|        As an infant, I was baptized in the Congregational church, and I have
| spent the last 32 years of my life in an on-and-off spiritual quest which
| has led me at last to the Catholic Church.  I will be receiving the
| sacraments of Confirmation and Holy Communion at our parish's Easter Vigil
| Mass (April 18th).
|        My question is this: I have read conflicting opinions on the necessity
| for a complete confession of sins prior to receiving the sacraments.  I
| personally am in agreement with St. Francis de Sales that a thorough
| cleansing of the soul should precede one's first approach to the Lord's
| table.  But my priest and will-be confessor thinks it's enough just to hit
| the "high points" (low points!?!?!).  I don't want to bore him for hours
| in the confessional, but frankly, I feel strongly about cleaning the
| slate.
|        What's your opinion? Am I making too much of a small matter?  How
| should I proceed?
|        Thank you for your time
|  
|                                        Peace be with you,
|                                                Ken E. Taylor
|  
+-[KT=>FM]
 
 
Dear Ken,
 
Mortal sins, known to be mortal at the time of their commission, must
be confessed before receiving Confirmation a/o Holy Communion.  This
is a lifetime obligation.  Venial sins need not be confessed, but it
is entirely wise to confess them.
 
I don't like the vocabulary item "high points".  It is too vague. 
Mortal sins MUST be confessed; others one is free to confess or not.
 
Your desire to make a complete confession of your whole life since
your  baptism is praiseworthy, and I recommend it highly.  If you
prepare yourself well, you are talking about minutes not hours of the
priest's time.  You should only tell the kinds of sins with relevant
circumstances and how many times (by prudent judgement) each has been
committed.  You are going to confession, not preparing a definitive
biography or historical novel of your life.
 
The priest is ordained for this.  Boredom is part of the job, so
don't spare him! What would he do with the extra free time anyhow?
 
I hope and pray you have a firm resolve to go to confession at least
once a month after your first  confession, and to Holy Communion at
least every Sunday and Holy Day, for life. Welcome home.
 
                                Sincerely in Christ,
 
 
                                Father Mateo