A new priest, Father Brian, was nervous about hearing confessions, so he asked an older priest, Father Dennis, to sit in on his first sessions. After Father Brian heard several confessions, Father Dennis asked him to step out of the confessional booth for a few pointers. “Cross your arms over your chest and rub your chin with one hand,” he suggested.
Father Brian tried out the gesture, and his mentor was pleased. Father Dennis then suggested, “Try saying things like ‘I understand’ and ‘How did you feel about that?’”