Good for the Soul

Being felled by my broken toe has given me the chance to catch up on all kinds of things. Most of those things are really tedious, like tatting* altar clothes. Not that I do that. I mean it's that kind of tedious.

But I have been able to catch up on my email and correspondence and it seems I've been neglectful in answering many questions sent to me by readers. So I'll try to pick them off one by one, or several at a time if they're easy. I can't play favorites and they are in no particular order. Since today is a day of national mourning and we are reminded of how easy it is to disappear from the planet with little or no notice I thought we could start with this question from Beadoodles in Illinois who asks:

"I wonder what your thoughts of the role of the priest in confession is. Isn't it just easier to tell the Big Guy yourself? Or is it that Catholics feel they can't atone unless someone told them to? And is it right for Father to make comments on sins? Like reprimanding the sinner? "

Confession 101

There are 2 types of sins. Lesser sins, like taking all your co-workers paper clips and rubber bands while she's out sick, are called venial sins. Big sins, like sleeping with your co-worker's husband while she's out sick, are called mortal sin. Mortal, because they wound your soul mortally. Adios, soul. Catholics know they have to atone. No one has to tell them. It has been drummed into them, for their own good starting at age seven, the age of reason.

But all sins, no matter how grievous, can be forgiven, and in fact ARE forgiven if the sinner is truly sorry. And that means not just grudgingly SAYING you're sorry, but actually feeling remorse.

You CAN just 'tell the 'Big Guy' and I'm sure He'll hear you. But get this, here on earth 'the Big Guy' is represented by the priest. Why? Because Jesus said so. He said to his Apostles, 'whose sins you shall forgive, they are forgiven them.' Jesus spoke in archaic language. God does, too. He said things like, "Take off they shoes from off they feet." Like Father, like Son.

So, Beadoodles, you can't fight city hall, as they say. We go to the priest because Jesus wanted it that way. You can pretend He didn't, but you'd be wrong.

So it follows that Father can make comments on sins, to give you guidance, just the way Jesus would. And he's not really commenting on you, so much. But what can I say, if the shoe fits.....

You'll want to make sure you get this confession thing together because if you die with a mortal sin on your soul, it's straight to hell for you. Do not pass go, do not collect $200. Don't be committing a mortal sin and then go cross a busy street against the light. Or go swimming with manta rays. (Rest his soul.)

You might also consider wearing a scapular. Mary promised that anyone wearing the scapular would not see the fires of hell. But she was talking about the brown scapular of the Carmelites (that big piece of cloth worn by the clergy that looks like a table runner with a head hole...mine is black). The Pope was so enamored of this idea that he extended the priveledge to all the faithful. So if YOU wear the scapular YOU will not see the fires of hell. You will go to Purgatory if need be. But you will get out of Purgatory on the first Saturday after your death. So you might want to shoot for a Friday passing. Also St. Lawrence comes once a month to collect one soul. I'm not sure how you go about gettin picked for that. And some other saint takes ten souls or so once a month, too. Find that line, if you're there.

I hope this answers your question.

*It has been brought to my attention that this word in common usage no longer refers to intricate crochet made with a teeny tiny hook to make intricate lace. I have not opened a tattoo parlor for altar cloths.