I'd be interested in people's thoughts about Confession in this time of crisis in the Church and in the SSPX.

For what it's worth, for many months I had been going to confession only when there was a Resistance Mass. I am located near one of the Pseudo-priories that has Mass at least once a month, but a situation arose when I needed the graces of the Sacrament, and the next Mass had not yet been scheduled.

So I went to the SSPX for confession, and it was the right thing to do. It doesn't matter how I "felt" about the priest or the advice he gave. I  needed the encounter with the Precious Blood which flows so efficaciously in this Sacrament, whether I feel it or not.

My concern is for people who are going to confession only when there is a Resistance Mass. It's just so easy for habits of sin to develop and flourish without our awareness.

I'd be interested in people's thoughts about Confession in this time of crisis in the Church and in the SSPX.

For what it's worth, for many months I had been going to confession only when there was a Resistance Mass. I am located near one of the Pseudo-priories that has Mass at least once a month, but a situation arose when I needed the graces of the Sacrament, and the next Mass had not yet been scheduled.

So I went to the SSPX for confession, and it was the right thing to do. It doesn't matter how I "felt" about the priest or the advice he gave. I  needed the encounter with the Precious Blood which flows so efficaciously in this Sacrament, whether I feel it or not.

My concern is for people who are going to confession only when there is a Resistance Mass. It's just so easy for habits of sin to develop and flourish without our awareness.

Of course and without a second thought you must seek a valid priest for the sacraments, and let no one vex your soul and steal your interior peace by advising you otherwise.
 

:dancing-banana:I see no problem with going to an SSPX priest.  I DO see a problem with remaining in mortal sin.  After all, the priest brings Christ to us, therefore his personal stance regarding SSPX issues is of no importance.  The same, IMO, can be said of Mass.  Do we fall into the snare of using our feelings as our guide?  God forbid!  Yes, one may "like" and "agree" with the Resistance priests, but the fact remains that SSPX priests are validly ordained.  To rely upon oneself for having made a perfect act of contrition and refusing to avail oneself of the Sacrament when it is readily available would seem to add pride and presumption to the state of mortal sin.  It is only when no priest is available that God accepts our puny efforts.  

Well said Frances.  Good Catholic folks need to stop listening to bad advice which endangers their spiritual life and salvation.

FWIW,  I've never heard anyone so much as suggest that one should put off confession until they can get to a Resistance priest.  

Quote from: PAT317

FWIW,  I've never heard anyone so much as suggest that one should put off confession until they can get to a Resistance priest.  

I haven't either, I'm just trying to understand the difference between refusing to attend mass as a rule by a priest who is NOT excommunicated, an heretic or a schismatic and going to confession to them.  

If we're supposed to trust that God will provide graces to persevere when we refuse one available sacrament, why should we not trust that He will provide the graces from another available sacrament?  

Hopefully someone more knowledgeable than I am will answer.  But I think part of it is because confession of mortal sins is so utterly necessary for salvation.  I've always understood that, if one is on their deathbed, one can confess to any valid priest.  e.g. even an "Orthodox" schismatic*; (similar to how anyone can baptize, whether heretic or infidel, because Baptism is so necessary. )  Whereas, obviously one is not supposed to go to Masses of the "Orthodox".  (I think part of it is because of showing communion with them? - as I said, hopefully someone else can explain it better)   The Church knows that it is very difficult for most people to truly have perfect contrition, and you don't want to risk your salvation on that.  Relying on perfect contrition is only when confession is absolutely not available.  

I think Fr. Pfeiffer made the distinction in a sermon in the past year, but sorry I can't point you to it.  


*obviously assuming he's the only one available.  If you have access to a good Catholic priest, obviously you confess to him.

With the FSSP you have doubt about the validity of the priests, with SSPX you do not. Their theological positions are not a factor if they do not preach or impart error or heterodoxy at Mass.

It's so difficult to even get into confession here. The line is so long, and the SSPX priest here doesn't even get through half the line.

Sometimes I'll try to get in right after 6:30AM Mass on Sunday. I'll even be in line before the Mass is entirely over, and that's the only way I'll be able to get in. (And that's if I sit in the very back pew where people line up for confessions.)

If I try to get in line at 7:40AM (the next Mass would be at 8:30AM) it's already a lost cause. There's already a seemingly endless line that goes on for 3-4 (sometimes 5) pews.

I'm not criticizing the priest for "being too slow" or whatever. I just miss Father Bolduc's ability to get through 3 lines of confession before Mass, and offering confession even after Mass for those who couldn't make it.  :sad:

With the FSSP you have doubt about the validity of the priests, with SSPX you do not. Their theological positions are not a factor if they do not preach or impart error or heterodoxy at Mass.

Then are you okay with going to a Mass of an FSSP priest who left the SSPX after ordination who does not impart error or heterodoxy at Mass?