A Confessor's Handbook: Revised and Expanded Edition

by Kurt Stasiak

Book Overview

Many today suggest that the sacrament of reconciliation is in crisis. The number of practicing Catholics who seek out the sacrament has, according to many studies, greatly diminished in recent years. No one is suggesting that the need for forgiveness and reconciliation has diminished. Bishops, priests, and other pastoral ministers are often frustrated in their efforts to invite Catholics to the sacrament. Confessors are often left wondering about...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0809146754
• ISBN13: 9780809146758
• Release Date: November 2010
• Publisher: Paulist Press
• Length: 224 Pages
• Weight: 0.65 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 5.3" x 8.2"

Customer Reviews

Confessors Handbook

Every seminarian and Priest should read and digest this wonderful work. It offers insights and suggestions for more meaningful administration of the Sacrament of Reconciliation [Penance] in a condensed, well-written format. Often, Catholics avoid Confession out of fear. How sad this is, for it is in this Sacrament that the Mercy of God is so clearly manifested. Christ empowered His Priests to forgive sins in His Name. What an awesome responsibility. What an awesome Sacrament. It doesn't matter what one has done for the Divine Mercy of Our Lord is there ready to clear the soul of all that is sinful. Like an ocean of mercy, our sins drop into a sea from which they cannot be found any longer. Our sins may be numerous but if we are faithful to confess them all with true contrition and a firm purpose of amendment [a resolve not to commit them again], God is faithful to forgive them. Now is the time for Mercy before Christ comes as the Just Judge. Now is the time before it is too late. If you know a Priest or seminarian, get him a copy of this book. It may be one of the best gifts he has ever received and you yourself one day hopefully can reap the benefits of this wonderful Sacrament. Don't put it off.

Good basic training

The Sacrament of Reconciliation seems to be one of the less-attended to in seminary training. Rites of Initiation and Eucharist receive much more attention, which is rightly deserved. A Confessor's Handbook provides good training and assistance for seminarians wishing to learn more about this sacrament, as well as to continuing clergy looking to become better confessors. The general approach can be summed up as, "Why is this person here?" "From what are they seeking to be freed?" The methodology is valid, as it addresses the pastoral needs of the situation; it is helpful, as it immediately cuts through the nice, but irrelevant conversations; and it's is simple, which makes is easy to implement and follow. Also included in the back is a helpful bibliography of other books on the subject, for those who wish to do further reading.

Help for the Confessing

Although written to help priests be more effective and gentle, helpful confessors by gaining a deeper understanding of what their people are saying (or trying to say or hide )in confession this book can also help laity confused about the sacramment of reconciliation. It can show you clearer and more precise ways to express yourself, or how to ask your confessor for the kind of guidance this St. Meinrad's professor would have him offer. Confession is difficult for priests, Father Stasiak points out, because it is the only sacrament they can not watch others priests administer.