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 The Church
imposes on its members the duty of receiving the
sacraments of Penance and Holy Communion at least once a
year, during Lent or Easter time. Though most of the
faithful approach the sacraments oftener, the
"Easter confession" is still singled out in
various countries as a solemn rite. It is usually made in
Lent, and the Church provides special services of
preparation such as annual missions for the
congregations. These services are very popular in the
Latin countries. They are called misiones in the
Spanish-speaking parts, esercizi (spiritual exercises) in
Italy, retraites (retreats) in France and Canada. The
original purpose of the Lenten missions was to help
people prepare for a good confession.
In Russia, the faithful kept a specially strict fast during the whole week preceding their Easter confession. Starting on Monday, they attended two services a day. On Saturday, before going to confession, they would bow deeply to each member of their household, including the servants, and utter the age-old phrase, "In the name of Christ, forgive me if I have offended you." The answer was, "God will forgive you." Thus prepared, they made their confession on Saturday, and went to Communion on Sunday. Coming home from Mass and Communion, they again faced their whole family; but this time everyone embraced them with smiles and congratulations, flowers decorated the room and the breakfast table, and the entire household shared in the joy of the one who had received his Easter Communion. Similar traditions are still observed among the other Slavic nations. It was a custom in Austria for men and boys coming home from their Easter confession to decorate their hats with flowers and distribute pretzels to all in the house while receiving congratulations and good wishes. |
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