A fantastic problem to have!

[LeahInancsi]

I have a pet peeve to express in response to those who think the longer the line for confession, the more righteous the parishoners. I don’t believe there’s a correlation.

The parishioners in my old parish where the average age is about 45-50 would most likely not have need of confession as a younger parish where the average age is about 30-35.

I know I don’t have the need of confession that I would have 20 years ago.

 

[Chancellare]

I have a pet peeve to express in response to those who think the longer the line for confession, the more righteous the parishoners. I don’t believe there’s a correlation.

The parishioners in my old parish where the average age is about 45-50 would most likely not have need of confession as a younger parish where the average age is about 30-35.

I know I don’t have the need of confession that I would have 20 years ago.

When Jesus said “Let he who has not sinned cast the first stone”, …the mob left the adulteress alone one by one, beginning from the oldest…

Talk about who has sinned more, the old or the young.

But to be practical, especially as we advance in years, we all need to confess our sins before the sun sets, just to be sure we wake up on the right side of Peter’s gate.

 

[Adonis33]

Where I go to confession - they are on Saturday’s from 4:30pm to 5:25pm. They almost always have three priests hearing confessions and they usually start before 4:30.

Each line is always has many people in it.

 

[OraLabora]

I attend Sunday Mass at a Benedictine abbey. Confessions are 1/2 hour before Mass. I’ve seen line-ups so long that they have been forced to call in an additional priest to get everyone through before Mass (not an issue in a community with 20+ priests!).

OraLabora

 

[Brendan]

I have a pet peeve to express in response to those who think the longer the line for confession, the more righteous the parishoners. I don’t believe there’s a correlation.

The parishioners in my old parish where the average age is about 45-50 would most likely not have need of confession as a younger parish where the average age is about 30-35.

I know I don’t have the need of confession that I would have 20 years ago.

Pope John Paul II went weekly.

No one here could possibly LESS of a need for confession than he did, you and I included.

Confession, like any other Sacrament, provides Grace. In the the case of Confession, not only does it provide forgiveness of sin, but it also enables our concience to see and avoid sin in the future.

So not only does it cure us of sin, it helps us sin the sin we fall into daily and thus aid us in avoiding it. And that is Righteousness, the growth in holiness after Sactifiying Grace.

Frequent reception of Confession, like that of the Eucharist, can only AID in Righteousness. To say otherwise is to either deny the Sacramental nature of Confession or not fully understand it.

 

[Gamera]

Once I was waiting for Confession, and the person ahead of me took so long that the time was up. It was time for Mass to start. I had to wait til next time! How often does that happen?

 

[LeahInancsi]

When Jesus said “Let he who has not sinned cast the first stone”, …the mob left the adulteress alone one by one, beginning from the oldest…

Talk about who has sinned more, the old or the young.

But to be practical, especially as we advance in years, we all need to confess our sins before the sun sets, just to be sure we wake up on the right side of Peter’s gate.

My point is that I don’t think you can judge the righteousness of the parishoners by the length of the line at the confessional.

 

[KatieD]

I do agree with you on that point. At my parish, most of those in line are a bit older. And I go to confession much more frequently now that I’m in my 40s than I did when I was in my 20s. When I was younger, I was basically afraid to go because of a couple of unpleasant experiences as a kid. Now I understand and appreciate the beauty of this sacrament. I don’t think of those in line as more righteous, but it is encouraging to see people practicing the faith and receiving the sacrament.

 

[Brendan]

My point is that I don’t think you can judge the righteousness of the parishoners by the length of the line at the confessional.

That’s true, it could just mean a slow priest. But the frequency a person recieves Confession, by definition, IS an indicator of their Righteousness.

 

[Chancellare]

My point is that I don’t think you can judge the righteousness of the parishoners by the length of the line at the confessional.

My friend, we go to confession to reconcile with God. Failing that, who cares about righteousness or long lines?

 

[blessedtoo]

My point is that I don’t think you can judge the righteousness of the parishoners by the length of the line at the confessional.

No one has said anything about judging the “righteousness of the parishioners.” I said

I believe much of the **character of a Parish **can be identified by the number of people in line for Confession.

If the Parish priest is faithful in reminding the parishioners about sin (a very unpopular subject these days) then you will often find longer lines for Confession. I was commenting more on the responsibility of the priest to help his flock form their consciences.

 

[johnpaul2_fan]

You should see Franciscan University of Steubenville, they offer confession four days a week, for an hour, with 6-7 priests. There’s usually a line of over 20 people, 15 minuets before confession even starts.