Confession: A Little Book for the Reluctant

by Louis Gaston Adrien de Ségur

This popular French Catholic writer, from the Nineteenth Century, has assembled over 30 common objections to going to Confession. He has answered them all with kindness, wit and wisdom. A book to allay fears and to give courage in approaching Confession, that Sacrament which will unlock the Gates of Heaven for many. Includes How to go to Confession.

Genres: Spirituality

54 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 1, 1989

About the author

Louis-Gaston de Ségur was a Catholic prelate and son of the famous Comtesse de Ségur. He was also descended from Marshall Philippe Henri de Ségur.

Reviews

[Melissa]

I started reading this book thinking it would explain how to make a good contrite confession & better examine our conscience. A fresh perspective & gentle reminder on a topic that us cradle-Catholics were taught as young children.

However, this booklet was more about dispelling excuses for not going to confession. Early on he makes biblical references to the establishment of this sacrament and it's institution by Our Lord Jesus Christ...(this portion is helpful especially for non-Catholic readers) then the rest if the book is geared toward the lax or fallen away Catholic...and the necessity of Confession! I especially liked the chapters that have insight into the priest's disposition during confession. So very encouraging! His explanation of this topic is said as only a priest could say it!

This book covers: What Use is Confession? Can't I be an honest man without Confession? Why should I allow a priest to interfere in my affairs? What if the priest reveals what I have to say? My sins are too great for Confession. I can't possibly remember all my sins. What to do if I have previously concealed sins in Confession? I will just wait until later in life to make a good & complete confession, and much much more!

I thoroughly enjoyed this book... although not what I was expecting.

An excerpt from the intro:

"In this book... One can see the delightful straightforwardness, touched with charm and wit, which made Msgr. DeSegur's books so popular. Moreover, he shows himself to have a true priestly heart in that he loves souls and is solicitous for their salvation. In this he follows the example of the Good Shepherd, who leaves the 99 just in the desert to go search out the one lost sheep."

[booklady]

First read this back 2013 and have reread it almost every year since. I bought it as a guide to help those preparing for Reconciliation which isn't really its purpose. It is more of a reverse-psychology 'sales pitch' to use secular terminology. It refutes all the excuses Catholics give for avoiding Confession and explains the truth about the inestimable benefits of the sacrament and the graces we receive from formal confession of our sins. Highly recommended.

[Ruth]

I'd hesitate to recommend this book to anyone because of the things he says about hell. But he speaks so lightly and matter of factly, that it's almost funny. And it was a great refutation of all the reasons for not speaking, makes you laugh at yourself and see that you'll be doing yourself a great favour by confessing.

[Katrina]

A good little book discussing the many reasons we may give for not going to confession. Although written in the 19th century it is just as relevant for us today. It debunks all the excuses we give with wisdom and humour and is well worth a read.

[Mark]

Very good. Almost makes me want to go!

[Miranda Spear]

I purchased this book on sale, as I found myself reluctant to go to confession recently and thought it might help. It is short, maybe 50 pages or so, and small (it fit nicely in my fanny pack).

I would recommend this to any Catholic looking to either attend confession, or return back to the confessional. Msgnr. Segúr is funny, blunt in a very French way, and presents 30 or so arguments for why we need to go to Confession. It was refreshing to just here, "Because the Lord said so." in one of them. He does not sugarcoat anything. I normally do not like such blunt answers, and yet I found his arguments to be compelling and even had me chuckling in the confessional line. Despite being written several hundred years ago, the arguments and his responses still seemed very relevant today. I found a lot of his advice helpful and reassuring.

I have since made a confession and have wondered why I was so nervous to in the beginning. Would recommend!

[Lucas Magrini Rigo]

É um pequeno livro, bem conciso mas também completo. Abrange as principais dúvidas sobre a confissão: u que é, porquê fazer, quando fazer, como fazer, quem deve.
É uma leitura rápida e recomendada para todos cristãos, mesmo os não católicos.
Li a versão em português em papel.

[Leanne]

A wonderful book and a great help for people anxious about Confession.