Confession of Sins
During the Great Persecution, a number of Christians had, under torture or threat of torture, weakened in their profession of the faith. When the persecutions ceased under Constantine the Great, they desired to be reunited with the Church. It became the practice of these penitents to go to the Confessors, those who had willingly suffered for the faith and survived, to plead their case and effect their restoration to communion. Thus, the word has come to denote any priest who has been granted the authority to hear confessions. This type of confessor may also be referred to as a "spiritual father."
In this sense of the term, it is standard practice for a religious community of women, either if enclosed or just very large, to have a priest, to serve as confessor to the community, serving their spiritual needs.
It can also be used as the title of the head of a religious society.
Read more about this topic: Confessor
Famous quotes containing the words confession of, confession and/or sins:
“Modesty is the lowest of the virtues, and is a real confession of the deficiency it indicates. He who undervalues himself is justly undervalued by others.”
—William Hazlitt (1778–1830)
“There is confession in the glances of our eyes; in our smiles; in salutations; and the grasp of hands.”
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–1882)
“When the tempter me pursueth
With the sins of all my youth,
And half damns me with untruth,
Sweet Spirit, comfort me!’”
—Robert Herrick (1591–1674)