It is painful and upsetting when a Priest is harsh and impatient, especially during confession when we are so vulnerable.
For several years I was able to go to confession every week. I was often the first or second person in line and the Priest always seemed so harsh and grumpy. What I found over time though was that if I were fourth or fifth in line he was really pleasant. I think the poor guy just needed to warm up a bit and then he was OK.
Remember the prayer posted earlier?
Lord help me to make a good confession, speak through Thy Priest help me to hear, love, and obey Thee.
Over time I began to understand more clearly and deeply that we really are confessing to Jesus and that if I prayed and listened I would hear what I needed no matter how the Priest acted. I went back to being first in line.
Also, as you learn and grow, your confessions will become more clear and succinct, less forced and more natural. It takes time, prayer, study. and Grace but it really is worth it.
As far as criticizing Priests, nothing that you have described seems sinful (or at least not mortal). Detach as much as you are able from the raw emotions involved and do your best to seek what God is trying to teach you.
Not to overburden you with devotions, but praying 7 Hail Marys in honor of our Lady's sorrows everyday will bring you some very helpful Graces.
The Seven Sorrows or Dolors of Mary are listed below and a key to understanding them, and thus consoling her, is to recognise that the more she loved Jesus (and she loved Him perfectly) the more intensely sorrow filled her Immaculate Heart. Her martyrdom lasted 33 years, for St. Simeon revealed to her in excruciating detail what lay ahead for her dearest son, our Lord Jesus Christ. As such, all her joys became inexorably coloured with sorrow. And she endured these pains perfectly, with patience, humility and obedience, offering them to Almighty God for the salvation of poor sinners.
1) The Prophecy of Simeon
2) The Flight Into Egypt
3) The Loss of the Child Jesus in the Temple
4) Mary Meets Jesus on the Way to Calvary
5) Jesus Dies on the Cross
6) Mary Receives Jesus
7) Jesus is Placed in the Tomb
Graces and promises attached to the practice of the devotion in honour of the Blessed Virgin Mary Sorrowing:
According to St. Alphonsus de Liguori (The Glories of Mary) it was revealed to Saint Elizabeth that at the request of Our Lady, Our Lord promised four principal graces to those devoted to Her Sorrows:
1) That those who before death invoke the divine Mother in the name of Her Sorrows will obtain true repentance of all their sins;
2) That He will protect all who have this devotion in their tribulations, and will protect them especially at the hour of death;
3) That He will impress on their minds the remembrance of His Passion;
4) That He will place such devout servants in Mother Mary’s hands to do with them as She wishes and to obtain for them all the graces She desires.
In addition to these four graces there are also seven promises attached to the practice of daily praying seven Hail Marys while meditating on Our Lady’s Tears and Sorrows. These seven promises were revealed to St. Bridget of Sweden:
1) “I will grant peace to their families.”
2) “They will be enlightened about the divine Mysteries.”
3) “I will console them in their pains and I will accompany them in their work.”
4) “I will give them as much as they ask for as long as it does not oppose the adorable will of My divine Son or the sanctification of their souls.”
5) “I will defend them in their spiritual battles with the infernal enemy and I will protect them at every instant of their lives.”
6) “I will visibly help them at the moment of their death — they will see the face of their Mother.”
7) “I have obtained this grace from My divine Son, that those who propagate this devotion to My tears and sorrows will be taken directly from this earthly life to eternal happiness, since all their sins will be forgiven and My Son will be their eternal consolation and joy.”
Topic: Confession and scrupulosity (Read 9505 times)