Syndicat d'Initiative
de Cerfontaine
de Cerfontaine
End of the 19th century.
M. Hoeken and G. Jansen from Sint-Truiden (the sculptors of most of the church's furniture.)
Oak wood.
There are currently two confessionals in the church, both located in the aisles of the building.
These pieces of furniture are in Gothic style.
A confessional is a small box for confessions that parishioners make to the local priest.
The priest listens to the confession of the penitent in the light of the Word of God and gives absolution.
From the 3rd century AD, confession was not anonymous at all and took place publicly, only for serious sins, which often provoked the anger of the crowd.
However, from the 6th and 7th centuries, thanks to the efforts of Irish monks, confessions became private between priest and sinner, and the punishments were adapted to the committed sin. This reassures the believer who can more easily and without fear confess his sins to the priest.
Confessions must take place at least once a year in connection with Easter communion.
The anonymity of the penitent was more enforced from the year 1545 and the Council of Trent.
Today, confession has not changed much in terms of modality.
The confessional is often composed in the same way, regardless of the church: a central booth where the priest enters, surrounded by two compartments separated by a small window with bars to allow communication between priest and penitent. These compartments are shielded by a curtain or door.