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22 of 22 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
An excellent guide for all Christians, February 22, 2002
This review is from: Pardon and Peace: A Sinner's Guide to Confession (Paperback)
In this well-organized book the author writes clear, straightforward prose that provides wise and kind-hearted guidance to the much-misunderstood sacrament of confession. The book is valuable for persons who aren't Catholic or Christian but want to understand the Biblical and historical origins of Confession. It is also quite helpful to anyone new to the Church and unsure of how to confess, or to a lapsed Catholic considering a return. Even a Catholic who regularly goes to Confession will find it most helpful and enlightening. The contents include both excellent practical guidance in what and how to confess, and also concise explanations of the history and disputes surrounding Confession, including the notorious topic of Indulgences (which turn out to be far more reasonable in their origins than you are likely to realize, even though they eventually became a source of corruption the Church had to reform). The author is associated with one of the religious communities known as Oratories that the brilliant convert John Henry Newman established in England, which helps to explain both his admirable writing style and his well-balanced spirituality--he avoids the extremes of harshness and lazy indifference. As the author makes clear, Christ established Confession not to burden us with guilt but rather as an honorable way to relieve us of guilt so that we might approach the holy joy of the saints: "I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly."
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11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Needed Guide, January 4, 2003
This review is from: Pardon and Peace: A Sinner's Guide to Confession (Paperback)
Fr. Randolph has written a highly useful work for Catholics who regularly use the sacrament of penance and for those Catholics who are coming back to the sacrament after much neglect. He provides topical advice relevant for today's society. For example, he gives guidance on the common situation in which people realize years later that their prior lifestyle was in fact gravely sinful. His recommendation is that, in spite of their lack of knowledge, they should still bring these sins to confession. This situation in which many people can actually be ignorant of gravely sinful conduct, especially sexual conduct, is common today among younger generations because the wider society now accepts as normal what the Christian moral tradition has always viewed as seriously wrong. This particular situation is but one example of the instances where Fr. Randolph gives needed advice for today's Catholic. When so many pulpits are unfortunately silent on the need for the regular use of this sacrament, Fr. Randolph has written a guide that is sorely needed in order to renew the role of this sacrament in the Church.
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11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Nuts and Bolts Approach to Confession, January 9, 2003
This review is from: Pardon and Peace: A Sinner's Guide to Confession (Paperback)
Fr. Francis Randolph takes a practical and personable approach to the sacrament of confession. This is a helpful book for Catholics who have been away from the sacrament for some time, or for Catholics who are wondering if they go too often ("scruples"). The book is structured into eleven chapters, encompassing the entire form of the sacrament. From "Bless me Father for I have sinned" to "the merits of the Blessed Virgin Mary," Fr. Randolph explains both the form and meaning of each part of the sacrament. Mixed in with the theological and canonical discussions, Fr. Randolph brings in the practical experience he has, from ministering to a large congregation in England. Fr. Randolph shares humerous and poignant stories, engaging the reader in an otherwise dry topic. Fr. Randolph takes pains to explain the changes since Vatican II, and encourages Catholics to engage in the new forms. He also addresses common questions such as, "how often should I go to confession?" and "what is a sin?". This is a worthwhile read for all Catholics who want to understand confession. At 185 pages, it is a short but valuable addition to Catholic studies.
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