"I Confess" Hitchcock & the Sacramental Seal

Today we began watching segments of Alfred Hitchcock's film "I Confess" (1953). Here's a brief storyline summary from IMDB:

"Otto Kellar and his wife Alma work as caretaker and housekeeper at a Catholic church in Quebec. Whilst robbing a house where he sometimes works as a gardener, Otto is caught and kills the owner. Racked with guilt he heads back to the church where Father Michael Logan is working late. Otto confesses his crime, but when the police begin to suspect Father Logan he cannot reveal what he has been told in the confession."

Alfred Hitchcock (director and producer) is regarded as a pioneer in cinematic history. Most of his films are psyschological suspense thrillers and his techniques were imitated by numerous film makers that followed. His most popular films are: Rear Window (1954), Vertigo (1958), Psycho (1960), and North by Northwest (1959)

History of Reconciliation

HOMEWORK FOR APRIL 27/30: Read Tuesdays with Morrie, pp. 1-47
Reading quiz over Tuesdays with Morrie
Read CCCC nos. 296-312

CLASS NOTES: We are initiated into the life of the Church through the sacraments of initiation, but that is only the beginning of the process. Although baptism cleanses us of original sin, the inclination to sin or concupiscence remains. The purpose of the sacrament of reconciliation is to seek forgiveness from God for the sins and failings we have committed.

Common Names for Reconciliation: sacrament of penance, reconciliation, sacrament of forgiveness, confession, and the sacrament of conversion.

What is sin?

A sin is "a word, an act, or a desire contrary to the Eternal Law" (CCCC no. 392) or God's will. It is the breaking or damaging of our relationships with God, neighbor, world, and self that constitute sin (McBrien). There are various levels or degrees of sin:

1. One commits a mortal sin when there are simultaneously present: grave matter (it's serious), full knowledge (you know what you're doing), and deliberate consent (you want to do it). A mortal sin is something that destroys, breaks, or reverses our fundamental option for God. This is an act that fully engages the person and the person not only chooses the act (categorical element), but they also choose the kind of person they will become in and through the act (transcendent element); e.g., I choose to kill another person (that's serious), I know that I'm going to kill another person (full knowledge), I want to kill the other person (consent), and I'm perfectly happy becoming a murderer.

2. One commits a venial sin when the matter involved is: less serious, or even if it is grave, when full knowledge or complete consent are absent. A venial sin does not break our relationship with God. There may be a genuine decision to perform that act, but there is no decision to become that sort of person. "In a venial sin a person chooses to do a particular deed, but he or she also wants even more deeply to be the kind of person who stands opposed to the deed. There’s an element of contradiction between the act and the person doing the act" (McBrien). The person may or may not be fully engaged in the act; e.g., I walk into a candy store with my nephew and he steals a jolly rancher (not that serious).

3. A serious sin falls somewhere between a mortal sin and a venial sin. It is more inconsistent with the Gospel message than a venial sin; however, it differs from a mortal sin because we are not fully engaged and happy with the person we are becoming by doing the action or deed. An example of a serious sin would be missing mass on a Sunday for no particular reason: missing mass is serious matter and you have knowledge and consent of the act, but maybe deep down inside you do not want to be the type of person that misses mass and you regret not going afterwards.

Why confess to a priest?

The Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate is a national, non-profit, Georgetown University affiliated research center that conducts social science studies on the Catholic Church. CARA conducted a study and discovered that "nearly three quarters of Catholic surveyed reported that they never participate in the sacrament of reconciliation or that they do so less than once a year." As a class we discussed how these statistics are surprising because there are a large number of Catholics that attend mass regularly, but choose not to attend the sacrament of reconciliation.

Here are some of the benefits of confession that we developed as a class:
1. Confession is psychologically freeing: on a natural level there is a feeling of freedom and a weight being lifted off our shoulders when we admit or confess that we've damaged a relationship or done something wrong.
2. Taking time to reflect on our day is important: we are more likely to take stock of our spiritual, social, and emotional lives and our sins if we regularly approach the sacrament of reconciliation and make an examination of conscience before doing so.
3. Talking to a priest is free: many priest, brothers, and sisters have experience working with people and their struggles; some priests even have degrees in counseling and clinical psychology. Seeking profession help and guidance is important; however, a priest does not have any financial interest at stake.
4. All sin is public: sin fractures our relationship with God, our world, our neighbor, and ourselves. Therefore, it is fitting that we confess our sins to another person.
5. We are not purely spiritual beings, but also flesh and blood beings: making the act of confession (performing the actions) makes our sins and failures more real or more present to us.
6. And finally, Christ instituted the sacrament: Jesus encouraged people to repent from their sins and live better, more meaningful lives.

Sharing Our Sins by Andrew Santella

Please read this article by Andrew Santella, entitled "Sharing Our Sins." It was published in Notre Dame Magazine, Spring 2009. As always, take notes over your reading.

Fall From Grace: Michael Vick's Story

Extra Credit Opportunities

You can select one of the following extra credit opportunities during Holy Week: 1) Attend a Holy Thursday Mass at a local parish, submit the bulletin or program to me, and type a two paragraph reflection (email me). 2) Attend a Good Friday exaltation of the cross (typically there isn't Mass on Good Friday) and type a two paragraph reflection (email me). 3) Attend the 34th Annual Good Friday Walk for Justice Stations of the Cross in downtown Omaha: Friday, April 6 from 1:00pm - 2:30pm. We start at St. Mary Magdalene Church at 19th and Dodge Street. Find me and tell me you're there.

Justin Martyr's First Apology

HOMEWORK FOR APRIL 2/3: Read Harcourt pp. 100-112 Take notes