The new booth will convey a ‘wow’ factor representing the wonder of being in Christ’s presence
By Josh Tng
The B.C. Catholic
To prepare for the new Extraordinary Jubilee’s theme of forgiveness, a local parish is completely revamping its confessionals.
“A few months ago, when we were brainstorming how to celebrate the Year of Mercy, we realized the sacrament of confession is a big part,” said Father Justin Huang, pastor of St. Anthony of Padua Parish in Vancouver. “To celebrate confession, which is such a big part of our lives, we need a visual reminder of God’s mercy.”
The old confessionals were “dreary, unwelcoming, and very uncomfortable.” They resembled small closets, rather than a place for forgiveness. “You couldn’t breathe well inside because there was no ventilation,” Father Huang said.
“The sacrament of confession should convey something amazing, as it’s a celebration of your return to God,” said Father Huang. “It should have a ‘wow’ effect.”
As sacramental people, the physical is a method of communicating with the spiritual, Father Huang said. “The confessionals are designed to give you the experience of going into God’s heavenly house, warm and inviting.”
The renovations started at the beginning of November. Completion was expected to coincide with the opening of the Year of Mercy, but the date of completion was pushed back.
“We’re having the blessings of the confessionals on Feb. 12, two days after Ash Wednesday,” said Father Huang. Archbishop J. Michael Miller, CSB, will bless them before celebrating Mass to kick off Lent.
The confessionals are all designed and built by one man. “Stephen Unser brings two amazing qualities to (the construction): his spirituality and his artistic skill,” Father Huang said. “He wants to be a saint, and can make anything out of everything. He’s put so much prayer into it.”
Unser was inspired by his own merciful experience with Christ to design the confessionals. “Three years ago, I had a reconversion experience during my son’s first confession,” he recounted.
His son had nervously asked him what confession was like, but Unser realized it had been 15 years since his own last confession. “I heard the Lord ask me how I was going to respond to that,” Unser said. “I decided to be honest with my son” and come back to the Church.
When Father Huang asked Unser to revitalize the confessionals for the Year of Mercy, Unser drew from his own experience. “Everything is built on seeking God, and His will be done, and using the gifts He’s given us.”
“It is through our grace and our experience with confession that we come to Jesus.”
