Anyone else having difficulty finding a priest to hear Confession?

  • Thread starter Thread starter SteelArchangel
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
S

SteelArchangel

Guest
I went through this about six months ago. Calling around to so many parishes. Left messages with many priests…only one even called me back.

Here I am needing to go to Confession again. The TLM down the block has daily confessions…except Thursdays. While it’s possible to wait until tomorrow, I’ve actually been and ten minutes before the noon Mass, the priest is rushing into the confessional with a line he didn’t think would be there needing the sacrament. Chaotic, hectic…just a mess.

Today, I called the parish I go to by my house, and guess what? To start, no returned calls. Then I call again only to have the parish secretary tell me she heard my voicemail and didn’t know when the priest could call me back “today’s a busy day…with the shawl ministry at 10am…a bible study at 1pm…the RCIA at 6pm…”

I get not only stunned, but wounded by this all the time. To me if I was a priest, I’d make every effort to hear a confession. Saturdays are no better because that 30 minute block they give isn’t nearly enough. If there are 2-3 weepy people in front of me…forget it.
 
Check if there are monasteries nearby. Usually friars offer confessions every day and for an extended period of time (at least in my area).
 
Nope not a one.

No monastery within a two-three hour drive.
 
I have a time scheduled on my calendar to go every week if I need it at Tuesday’s at 11:30am. I did notice just before lent there was a slightly longer line, but nothing significant. I know next week, our diocese will be having a night of confessions at all of the parishes in the diocese.
 
I marvel that you even have a weekday confession slot at your Church. Mine is Saturdays for 20 minutes before Mass and that’s it.
 
It’s not at my church, but one near my office. My home parish has one an hour before mass but the priest is only there maybe 10 minutes if nobody shows up.

It took me some time to find a weekday slot. I wish there was an app that lists Confession times near me.
 
Last edited:
Get there early and be first in line. I never have an issue. Most every parish offers weekly confession and the priests stay late usually if they must. Otherwise email the priest directly to request an appointment.
 
Did the early bit, hence the priest (he’s chronically late) showing up ten minutes before the noon Mass with a line at the Confessional.

My parish has no email for the priest.
 
Try a different parish. That type of disinterest is fortunately rare. Or talk to the priest after Mass about the he lack of response and ask for an appointment in person.
 
I’ll have to check as I thought I looked there, or maybe they were not easily found when I looked… this was a year or so ago so maybe it is a newer feature.
 
Not here. We have scheduled Confession twice a week, plus a third time during the week because it is Lent. We also have a parish in the next town that offers Confession Twice on Sunday and once on Saturday. Each time is at least 30 minutes.

Is it possible to talk to the priest before or after Mass? Schedule it directly with him?
 
I keep trying to call, but either nobody answers the phone, or if they do they “claim” they give the message to the priest.

There are no confessions before or after the Mass here.
 
I’m needing to go to confession.

Nobody at any of these local area churches are bothering to answer the phone. Of all days I need confession and the TLM doesn’t do confessions on Thursday for some bizarre reason.
 
Oh, I see. Well, your intention to go at the very next opportunity should grant you mercy, heaven forbid that something should happen before then. If theres nothing you can do, theres nothing you can do… except offer prayers and an act of contrition. For whatever it’s worth, you are pretty lucky. In my area, access to confession is limited to Saturday’s.
 
SteelArchangel said:
The TLM down the block has daily confessions…except Thursdays. While it’s possible to wait until tomorrow, I’ve actually been and ten minutes before the noon Mass, the priest is rushing into the confessional with a line he didn’t think would be there needing the sacrament. Chaotic, hectic…just a mess.
Click to expand...
But you would be able to go to confession. Who cares if it’s a bit rushed. Get there early so you will be at the beginning of the line.
 
No priest hears confessions there on Thursday. Today is Thursday…so no dice.

I did hear back from a Monsignor and he is willing to hear my confession today, although he told me it’s a super small window.

Thanks for anyone who prayed for me.
 
Question, did you ask to speak to the priest or were you specific “I’d like to make an appointment for Confession”?
SteelArchangel said:
TLM doesn’t do confessions on Thursday for some bizarre reason.
Click to expand...
Because even priests deserve a day off.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top