68 Hail Marys?!

by Joe Thorn on August 16, 2005

As I was doing some research today I came across absolution-online.com, a virtual confessional that allows sinning Catholics to confess and receive penance/absolution online without the hassle of venturing out to church (I understand this is not anything a serious Catholic would use). Though I am no Catholic, I was intrigued and attempted to recall all of my sinful deeds and thoughts since Sunday and entered the data. I know there was more forgotten than remembered, but still I was just curious. So, what was the damage?

I was told to recite 68 Hail Marys, 11 Our Fathers and fast for 6 days.

To be honest, I thought my own sin would require much more penance. But the week is only half over. Maybe if I waited a whole week…

Funny thing is, it actually reminded me of the need to call to mind my sins, confess them to God and leave them in the dust. One of Jim Elliff’s pamphlets has proved a helpful tool for me from time to time since 1992. Check out 5 Resolves for Personal Revival.

About Joe Thorn

I am the Lead Pastor of Redeemer Fellowship in Saint Charles, IL, and author of Note to Self: The Discipline of Preaching to Yourself. Jen is my wife, and Katherine, Elias, Madeline and Kilian are my kids.

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  • http://cawley.typepad.com K. Cawley

    I got a message that said “user error // absolution denied”– now how the heck am I supposed to sleep tonight?

  • http://www.xanga.com/wantedtobethebigsurprise Victoria

    That’s a bit weird. Sounds like something I would try, though.

  • http://jefflacher.blogspot.com Jeff

    Okay, I admit it…I tried it too. Hey Joe, you are pretty holy based on the “confession-meter”, I was assigned 140 Hail Marys, 21 Our Fathers and 11 days of fasting. How did you get off so easy? Maybe you timed it right and got in during a “Buy one sin, get the other at 1/2 off” Sale.

    I think I’ll stick with Protestantisim…

    Hmmm, what would Luther say?

    jl

  • http://www.sbcoutpost.blogspot.com Marty Duren

    Man oh man,
    I try not to remember my sins; God doesn’t.

    If virtual confession is that much trouble, I can see why actual confession has fallen on hard times. I got tired of having to go back to the main menu every time I chose a sin.

    And what’s with that ABCDE thing? Is that like a Class C felony or Class D driver’s license? How am I supposed to judge if it is serious, minor or extreme? “There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus.” Praise God.

    I’m just going to send a list of my sins to Joe every week; he’ll go easy on me;^)

  • John Mark

    I’m not sure you’ve been absolved. Electronic confession has been barred. Sorry to break it to you, but even if you do fast for 6 days, I think you’re still screwed :)

    http://www.zenit.org/english/visualizza.phtml?sid=29711

  • http://newlifeemerging.blogspot.com rick

    Dude, don’t forget Penance. Seriously. You just may discover something to it.

    Enjoy your fast.

    :)

  • http://www.xanga.com/wantedtobethebigsurprise Victoria

    Haha. I got 3 Hail Marys.

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