A newly ordained priest is nervous about hearing confessions and asks an older priest to observe one of his sessions to give him some tips. After a few minutes of listening, the old priest suggests that they have a word. “I’ve got a few suggestions,” he says. “Try folding your
arms over your chest and rub your chin with one hand.”
The new priest tries this. “Very good,” says his senior. “now try saying things like ‘I see’,’I understand’ and ‘Yes, go on.'”
The younger priest practices these sayings, too.
“Well done,” says the older priest. “Don’t you think that’s better than slapping your knee and
saying, ‘No way what happened next?'”
