Confession AFTER Mass???

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Irishgal49

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Good Morning everyone,

I am looking at the Mass scheduled for today. It seems the priest has confession AFTER Mass…why?

Unfortunately I need to go to Confession BEFORE I can take Communion so I sent him an email. He hasn’t gotten back with me so I don’t know if I should call, I so hate being a pest. It’s my fault I committed a sin I need forgiven BEFORE Mass but it seems backwards to me.

Wouldn’t it be better to have Confession BEFORE Mass?

I’m confused.:confused:
 
While it would be nice to have Confession before Mass, we need to remember that there is no “requirement” to go to Communion every time. Yes, its wonderful when we can do this but its better to have Confession after Mass than no confession at all.

Perhaps the priest has a super busy schedule that day and that is the best he can do.

I have been in your shoes before and just refrained from Communion rather than receiving in a state of sin.
 
I have heard that if the intent to go to Confession RIGHT AFTER MASS is there, you’re safe. That could be why he does it that way.
 
Confession is to be separted from part of the mass and should not be said after mass

If you emailed your confessor and he has not responded, since it is your intention, and God knows this, just say an Act of Contrition prior to Communion and than go to communion.

Than when you want to go, see him after mass or make an appointment.

God’s blessing on your intention.

Brother Justin, OP
 
Wow, a priest, a Mass and an opportunity for confession, and someone complains. :rolleyes:
 
Chatter163 said:
Wow, a priest, a Mass and an opportunity for confession, and someone complains. :rolleyes:
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Thanks so much for your constructive comments. It’s always helpful when people can make comments that actually DO something to HELP someone rather than accuse them of things they were not actually doing. It was a question not a “complaint”. Thanks for your “help”
 
Bro_Justin said:
Confession is to be separted from part of the mass and should not be said after mass

If you emailed your confessor and he has not responded, since it is your intention, and God knows this, just say an Act of Contrition prior to Communion and than go to communion.

Than when you want to go, see him after mass or make an appointment.

God’s blessing on your intention.

Brother Justin, OP
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What?!!! The original poster (another “OP” 😉 ) was not in danger of imminent death. You seem fairly confident of your answer “Brother” Justin, can you properly defend and explain your answer to us? The OP does not need to receive Holy Communion anyway, a spiritual communion would be very effective in this case.

You treat this subject as if the OP is a soldier ready to go out on the battlefield, with no access to confession!

You seem fairly confident of your advice, but I’m fairly confident that it goes against Church teaching. If you are wrong, you are leading others to commit a grave offense (if there is a possible mortal sin involved). Rather than take that chance, why not simply advise the OP to refrain from Communion until he/she can get to confession?

BTW, I also dislike it when confession is offered AFTER Mass instead of before. The priest would have to have a really serious reason for doing so.

P.S. High School English teachers would know the difference between “than” and “then”.Also, your bio describes you as a Religious Brother, then further on it says “former Religious”. Which is it? If you are messing with people, you are in grave spiritual danger yourself.
 
Bro_Justin said:
If you emailed your confessor and he has not responded, since it is your intention, and God knows this, just say an Act of Contrition prior to Communion and than go to communion.
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Unfortunately, this is not correct. If one is in mortal sin, one is obliged to receive absolution before receiving communion. The only exception is under danger of death. Venial sins, however, do not need to be absolved before communion. In fact, reception of Holy Communion confers the grace of forgiveness of venial sins. We should still confess venial sins in the sacrament of reconciliation, however.

As for the schedule, sometimes it is not possible for a priest to hear confessions before mass. It can certainly be inconvenient, but isn’t it worth it to wait to receive communion in a state of grace, rather than commit sacrilege against the precious Body and Blood of Christ, who made the ultimate sacrifice for us? If this schedule is not possible, talk to the priest before mass. Sometimes he will be able to hear a confession, but not always. You can always call him and try to schedule individual confession as well.

God bless you.

–Caritas
 
Irishgal49 said:
Thanks so much for your constructive comments. It’s always helpful when people can make comments that actually DO something to HELP someone rather than accuse them of things they were not actually doing. It was a question not a “complaint”. Thanks for your “help”
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I see where he’s coming from. At this same time, your question is totally valid, it’s similar to one I had myself. I’ve had several priests tell me something similar to what Brother Justin said regarding the intent to go.
 
Sarika said:
What?!!! The original poster (another “OP” 😉 ) was not in danger of imminent death. You seem fairly confident of your answer “Brother” Justin, can you properly defend and explain your answer to us? The OP does not need to receive Holy Communion anyway, a spiritual communion would be very effective in this case.

You treat this subject as if the OP is a soldier ready to go out on the battlefield, with no access to confession!

You seem fairly confident of your advice, but I’m fairly confident that it goes against Church teaching. If you are wrong, you are leading others to commit a grave offense (if there is a possible mortal sin involved). Rather than take that chance, why not simply advise the OP to refrain from Communion until he/she can get to confession?

BTW, I also dislike it when confession is offered AFTER Mass instead of before. The priest would have to have a really serious reason for doing so.

P.S. High School English teachers would know the difference between “than” and “then”.
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First off, what’s up with “Brother” in quotation marks? Second, what’s up with nitpicking on a possible typo or ragging on someone’s typing skills?
 
Thanks! It was more a curiosity thing question. I can always not take Communion and go to Confession afterwards, might be a stronger motivator not to sin in the future. 😃 If I’m in doubt I just don’t take it. :hmmm:
 
Irishgal49 said:
Thanks! It was more a curiosity thing question. I can always not take Communion and go to Confession afterwards, might be a stronger motivator not to sin in the future. 😃 If I’m in doubt I just don’t take it. :hmmm:
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Same here, Irishgal. Despite knowing we would have Confession RIGHT after Mass, there are times I won’t receive because I’m at unease with things. It’s not that I’m uneasy about the Divine Mercy, but it stems from lingering feelings of being unworthy to consumate my relationship with the Lord as a whole.

This’d be a nice question to ask the Apologists here.
 
Melchior said:
First off, what’s up with “Brother” in quotation marks? Second, what’s up with nitpicking on a possible typo or ragging on someone’s typing skills?
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I usually never “nitpick” about typos, as I make so many of them myself. But I really doubt the true identity of the OP and his “OP”.(He is also listed as an English teacher). A Dominican would never lead someone down the wrong path in this regard. His advice is definitely contrary to Church teaching.
If you’ve been advised in a similar manner, I would suggest that you try to get the straight dope on this subject from your Bishop.
 
OK I just went back and re-read all the posts after my mini tirade about “complaining”. I agree with the consensous. I am not in danger of death and therefore I will NOT take the host until I have received absolution in Reconciliation. I would never risk such a thing.

I just came back after an 11 year absence and I’m struggling with a few things but I know that I need to confess this first. I will and I am just disappointed that Confession is AFTER Mass as the Latin Masses I attended always had confession BEFORE Mass so you could then take Communion.

It’s not the “end of the world” that he schedules it that way, I’m the one who committed the sin so I will sit through mass and prayerfully prepare myself for Confession.

Thanks for the great comments, I appreciate those who really showed concern about my taking the Sacrament before I received Absolution. 👍
 
Sarika said:
I usually never “nitpick” about typos, as I make so many of them myself. But I really doubt the true identity of the OP and his “OP”. A Dominican would never lead someone down the wrong path in this regard. His advice is definitely contrary to Church teaching.
If you’ve been advised in a similar manner, I would suggest that you try to get the straight dope on this subject from your Bishop.
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What, does he need to provide photo ID to prove who he is? Or would you call “PHOTOSHOPPED” if he did? 🙂
 
Yes, this is a good opportunity to have a spiritual communion, which shows respect for the most precious sacrament. You can also ask pardon for those who receive our Lord unworthily by neglecting going to confession when it is necessary.

OH! We were typing at the same time!
Welcome back! We missed you. 😃
 
Irishgal49 said:

I just came back after an 11 year absence and I’m struggling with a few things but I know that I need to confess this first. I will and I am just disappointed that Confession is AFTER Mass as the Latin Masses I attended always had confession BEFORE Mass so you could then take Communion.​

I agree with you, confession AFTER Mass is really undesirable. Say a sincere act of contrition, and make a spiritual communion asking the Lord to help you make a good confession. Always remember that we do not always need to receive Communion anyway, it is our attendance and participation at Mass that is required. For instance,
there are probably those who may have broken the one-hour fast prior to Communion, and they also would not be able to receive on that day. It is not a sin to refrain from Communion.

I wonder if it would be possible for you to nicely ask the priest for the reason(s) behind having confession after Mass. I’ve encountered this situation before, and found it very disappointing.
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Irishgal49 said:
OK I just went back and re-read all the posts after my mini tirade about “complaining”. I agree with the consensous. I am not in danger of death and therefore I will NOT take the host until I have received absolution in Reconciliation. I would never risk such a thing.

I just came back after an 11 year absence and I’m struggling with a few things but I know that I need to confess this first. I will and I am just disappointed that Confession is AFTER Mass as the Latin Masses I attended always had confession BEFORE Mass so you could then take Communion.

It’s not the “end of the world” that he schedules it that way, I’m the one who committed the sin so I will sit through mass and prayerfully prepare myself for Confession.

Thanks for the great comments, I appreciate those who really showed concern about my taking the Sacrament before I received Absolution. 👍
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As others have said, you must receive absolution before receiving Holy Communion, so just don’t receive Holy Communion if you aren’t going to be able to go to confession until after Mass.

However, as to why confession is offered after Mass, instead of before. I think the main reason is time. After Mass, the priest probably doesn’t have any pressing appointments and has time to hear confessions from everyone who wishes to confess. Before Mass, he can only hear confessions until it is time to prepare for Mass, and since people often don’t show up until just before Mass they lose the opportunity to go to confession at all. Having confessions after Mass solves this problem.
 
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