Confession Day

What is Confession Day? It is a day observed by people on 17th February after Valentine’s week. Else, we can say this day is Anti Valentine Week. Many terms are related to the confession day, including National Confession Day, World Confession Day, the Confession Day of the Catholic Church and the special Confession Day of Korea. Let us know how confession Day is celebrated, the story behind Confession Day of the Catholic Church, its significance, confession day meaning; let us discuss!

In 2020’s Anti Valentine Week, the Confession is up to the feelings of anger and love. This day is celebrated by different people in India and across many countries across the world.

What is Confession?

It is not an easy task to confess to someone. It needs courage. Something which is hidden for a long time needs guts to confess in front of the other person. This particular day is for the people who have unable to express themselves. Confession can be either negative or affirmative. Have you ever thought that there is a proposed day? If then,what is the need of celebrating Confession day?

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Confession day is not only limited to the expression of love. But also, you can be honest and express your otherwise feelings to the other person as well. This is a brief meaning of Confession Day.

Confession (Religion)

In Judeo-Christian tradition, the acknowledgement of sinfulness either in private or public was regarded as important for obtaining divine forgiveness. Also, in the Bible, the requirement for Confession is an essential task that everyone should have to perform.

The major objective of the Old Testament was to make the people understand the acceptance and sinfulness of their guilt, both at the personal level and in front of others. Prior to the destruction of the Jerusalem Temple, the sin offerings on the Atonement Day were prefaced by a collective expression of sinfulness after its destruction; the Atonement Day has continued in Judaism, a day of fasting, prayer, and Confession.

Baptist John prepared the New Testament for the public ministry of Jesus, who had baptised the people and was accompanied by the public Confession of sins. The need for Confession is mentioned in many places in the New Testament. But, the direct evidence of the Confession is not there, which Confession had to be detailed or specific, or it had to be made to a priest.

Let us discuss the detailed Confession to a priest or a bishop that has appeared early in the history of the Church. On Holy Thursday in the 5th century, it was customary in the Roman Church to hear about confessions made at the start of Lent and to reconcile the penitents. Thus, the practice of absolving or reconciling, immediately, the sinners after Confession and prior to the fulfilment of penance was introduced.

Only the notorious sinners were reconciled on Holy (Thursday) at the end of the 11th century. The ones who are guilty of serious sins are put off penance until it approaches death. Thus, to correct this particular abuse, the 4th Lateran Council in the year 1215 has established the rule that every Christian should confess to the priest at least once, annually.

It was taught in the Roman Catholic Church as penance is a sacrament in modern times, which is instituted by Christ. In this teaching, it is quite necessary to make the Confession of all serious sins after Baptism. Also, the Eastern Orthodox churches accepted this.

In the 19th century, the Oxford movement encouraged a revival of private Confession and, in addition, favoured the general absolution and Confession of the Communion service.

After that, many people denied the confession practice. The major importance of private Confession, but he denied that such confessions were important for the forgiveness of sins. Whereas in a few Fundamentalist and Pentecostal churches, Confession of sins is an essential part of the worship service.

History of True Confessions Day

The act of confession is centuries old, dating back about 3,000 years to the Vedas, the earliest Hindu scriptures. It is a common thread throughout multiple world religions and their sacred texts, including Christianity, Islam, and Judaism. Perhaps the most popular association with Confession is with Catholicism, which has designated confessionals where penitent Christians can confess their sins to the priest and subsequently seek forgiveness.

In addition to religion, Confession has long been given as a key aspect of criminal and law prosecution. It was the Catholic Church’s Inquisition, as a matter of fact, that foregrounded Confession as a part of the legal process in Europe at the time of the Middle Ages, with suspected heretics that are investigated by Inquisitors, at times using torture, to elicit the confessions.

Still, Confession can be an essential piece of the puzzle when it comes to the prosecution, but nowadays, the legal bodies tend to be far less reliant on it and more sceptical of its validity.

While these activities and beliefs are the origins of the confession, it does not have to be limited to the domains of law or religion since it also relates to the usual release of personal shame and secrets.

True Confessions Day was created by Thomas and Ruth Roy of Wellcat HolidaysTM as a way of encouraging those who hide secrets (which includes all of us, let's face it!) to confess them. In addition, the couple is believed to have established over 80 occasions to give us all extra reasons to celebrate throughout the year, with True Confessions Day being one of them!

The concept is presented as a planned day of disclosure that will aid in the creation of feelings of liberation and guilt-free leisure. True Confessions Day objects to honour Confession as a healthy practice, where secrets can be expressed in a manner that allows growth.

Benefits of Confession

This specific day is all about openness in relationships, the practice of honesty, and clearing the conscience of any negative thoughts or emotions. For a few, it may even be about revealing their true self and ultimately being able to express it with no feelings of guilt or shame.

Confession has historically been about the confession of sinfulness and is viewed as a practice essential to earn forgiveness as a major aspect of various religious beliefs and practises. Whereas, for believers, this sacred act brings them much closer to their god(s) and also sets them back towards the right path.

Even if it is not practised in a religious setting, speaking harboured secrets louder can lift a weight off our chest, and it can be beneficial for our mental health as well. Rather than holding onto the feelings of anxiety, shame, guilt and fear, instead, we can relieve ourselves of these and clear the space for a healthy mindset.   

Also, the Confession can help mend broken relationships and increases social cohesion. By admitting our self mistakes to those we have wronged, not only we can make ourselves but also feel them better about the same situation and hopefully earn their forgiveness and renewed the trust. Also, being vulnerable around others helps in strengthing the relationships – your act of bravery may even encourage them to share their own secrets, bringing you closer together.

Confession does not always have to be about past mistakes or unpleasant thoughts; it may simply be about expressing admiration for someone or admitting to enjoying a particular pastime. There are a number of examples throughout the history of grand confessions of love – think about Mr. Darcy to Elizabeth Bennett, Romeo and Juliet, and so on – maybe the True Confessions Day is one chance for you to tell that special someone exactly. How do you feel finally?

Ultimately, True Confessions Day encourages people worldwide to find peace by sharing their emotions, hidden thoughts and experiences with the ones around them.

How to Celebrate True Confessions Day?

You can celebrate True Confessions Day simply by talking to people about your emotions and thoughts. If you are surrounded by loved ones whom you understand and care about, then take some time to build your relationship stronger with them by being open and honest.

If your family and friends are up for it, then you could even organise an event to mark an occasion. Simply sit in a circle and take it to fess up – who actually scraped the car about five years ago, who forgot to take their dog for a walk last week, who has secretly been taking pottery classes? To add a sense of levity, you may all write out your secrets on paper and place them in a hat, then try to guess who has which Confession!