Developers of a New App Say: It could bring Catholics back to Confession!

At both of our churches we provide resources to help make the Sacrament of Reconciliation a comfortable experience of openness to God's forgiveness and mercy. These include a step-by-step guide for ‘How to make a good confession,' and a couple of different formats that might assist a fruitful examination of conscience in preparation for Confession. Do not be afraid of what you have to do or say, you will have a guide sheet, the priest, and the Holy Spirit to assist you even if you are somewhat unsure about how to begin. The Reconcilliation Room in the back of Saint Martha Church offers the opportunity to kneel and speak to a priest anonymously through a screen. The Reconciliation Room at the right side of St. Mary's Church offers the kneeler and screen, or you may choose to sit for a face-to-face Confession. The following article may also help.
  Pope Benedict XVI said it's not enough to just "proclaim the gospel through the news media," but one must "witness consistently." The developers of "Confession: A Roman Catholic App" for Apple's iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch think their product helps people do both.

Brothers Patrick and Chip Leinen and their friend Ryan Kreager said feedback has been positive.  "The app is really built for two kinds of people," Kreager explained. "For Catholics who go to confession regularly, it gives the user information. They enter their name, age, their sex, their vocation and their last confession date, and it generates an examination of conscience based on that information.

Centered on the Ten Commandments, the examination would be different for a young mother than for a teenage boy, for example. The examinations were provided by two different priests, the app developers said.  "It's also for people who've been away from the Church and want the opportunity to go to confession," he told Today's Catholic, newspaper of the Fort Wayne - South Bend Diocese. "You go to the examination of conscience, and it literally walks you through, step by step, your confessions as you're in the confessional." Patrick Leinen said that during testing, a man who hadn't been to confession in 20 years used the app and made his way back to the sacrament.
Serving as a kind of digital notebook designed to help people remember the various prayers as well as to list the sins they want to confess, the confession app provides several versions of the Act of Contrition, including one in Latin.

Melanie Williams, a 17 year old, said going to confession is an important part of her life. A fan of technology, she appreciates the customized examination of conscience. "It makes me evaluate my personal situation in life," she said, noting how easy it is for her to understand and remember the sins she wants to confess. "My favorite part is definately the inspirational quote that pops up after you have gone to confession. Each time, I feel like it really tells me what I need to hear at that moment. It is a great motivational tool after a good confession!"

In addition to customizing each user's list, everything is password - protected for privacy. "Once you go to confession, all that information is wiped out," said Kreager. "All it's going to remember is personal data like your name, age and date of last confession.
I think it has the potential to bring many people back to the faith and confession," said Williams, adding that she knows Catholics who haven't been to confession in years for various reasons. "I think this app will be a wonderful helper for teens and older folks to encourage them to go to Confession. They won't have the excuse that they don't know how to go to confession anymore!"
 
 
By Diane Freeby
Catholic News Service