The importance of confessionals in the liturgical tradition of churches
Confessionals are a crucial element of liturgical furnishings in Catholic churches and have been used for centuries as a place of confession and penance. Their structure generally includes two sides, one for the penitent and one for the confessor, separated by a panel or a grate.
These have undergone numerous changes over the centuries. In fact, if each of us imagines a traditional confessional, made of dark wood, with an ornate door and a lattice opening, we realize that today the design is much more varied and modern.
Many churches have in fact decided to adapt to the needs of the faithful, creating more functional confessionals, with a curved shape and without the grid opening, to allow the faithful to confess.
The importance of wood for church confessional
These sacred pieces of furniture are made of various materials, but those in wood are the most widespread and among the different types of wood used for their realization, among which
This is because their importance is not limited to their religious function, but also to the aesthetics of their design. In fact, confessionals are often decorated with detailed sculptures and carvings, which makes them a key part of decorating places of worship.
It is important to choose correctly the type of material , for example:
Oak is a very hard and resistant wood, which lends itself well to processing and painting, while walnut has a very particular grain that makes it very elegant.
How does confession take place?
Once they enter the confessional, the faithful kneel or sit down and begin confession. The priest listens attentively and gives spiritual advice, guiding the faithful towards reconciliation with the Lord. Confession is an important sacrament and must be approached with seriousness and respect in an appropriate environment.
