Confession before Divine Mercy Sunday: Well, it happened.. AGAIN

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I went to confession today. It was going to be my first “regular” confession since my RCIA class confession before being received into the church last week. Mainly I went because there was one big thing I forgot to confess in my nervousness in the first confession. There were at least 35 - 40 people waiting in line and neither of the priests showed up. Someone finally got Father on the phone and he said there is no confession Easter week and that we should all just say an act of contrition and go home. I went into the eucharistic adoration chapel and said the act of contrition and some prayers, but I’m not sure if I’m OK to receive the eucharist tomorrow. 😦
 
For the 3rd year in a row… I (and about 30 other parishioners) were turned away from our Church… when we showed up for the Sacrament of Reconciliation, late this afternoon. At ten minutes after 4:00 p.m., one of the ladies in line, got the Pastor on the phone… and pleaded with him to come and hear confessions. You won’t believe the reason he gave for declining.

He said that because we are still in Easter week (although just barely, since it was late Saturday)… there will be NO CONFESSIONS. Then, he gave this short directive. “Have everyone there say an Act of Contrition”. He tells a LAY WOMAN (who appeared shocked at his words… poor thing) to tell the Faithful to say an Act of Contrition and THAT will suffice to satisfy Our Lord’s desire that we go to Confession?

I’m sorry. But I’m having an extremely difficult time understanding this “attitude” which seems to be occuring at many different parishes.

When Our Lord spoke to St. Faustina (according to HER diary)… He did NOT say “have them say an Act of Contrition, and then… get to Confession as soon as the priest has time”.

He said… “It is My desire that it (The Feast of Divine Mercy) be celebrated on the first Sunday after Easter.” (699)

He also said… “I want to grant a complete pardon to the souls that will go to Confession and receive Holy Communion on the Feast of My Mercy” (1109). He did not say “within 10 days”… He said ON the Feast of My Mercy (which is tomorrow).

Furthermore… I did not know that there was EVER a time during the year… when the Sacrament of Reconciliation is NOT offered. I was under the impression that it is ALWAYS to be made available to the Faithful, who request it. I have heard this said on EWTN. Please correct me if I’m wrong about this. Am I wrong about this?

I appreciate your (name removed by moderator)ut. I am very shaken right now. Please pray for me. And for the Pastor of our Church… and any others which are taking it upon themselves to twist the words of Jesus… in order to suit themselves. 😦
 
ibkc said:
I went to confession today. It was going to be my first “regular” confession since my RCIA class confession before being received into the church last week. Mainly I went because there was one big thing I forgot to confess in my nervousness in the first confession. There were at least 35 - 40 people waiting in line and neither of the priests showed up. Someone finally got Father on the phone and he said there is no confession Easter week and that we should all just say an act of contrition and go home. I went into the eucharistic adoration chapel and said the act of contrition and some prayers, but I’m not sure if I’m OK to receive the eucharist tomorrow. 😦
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You didn’t hide any big thing on purpose, you forgot. So ALL your sins were forgiven, even that one. You are OK to receive communion. In your next regular confession, however, you should confess it. This sometimes happens, no problem. Especially understandable that it would happen at you at your first confession. Welcome home!
 
Wow, the exact same thing happened to me, and I started a thread about it just a little while ago! I’m sorry it happened to you, too. I’m a bit confused about it, myself. 😦
 
Within a week before or after is acceptable. Besides, you did your best. Have confidence in God’s mercy. I think the priest was wrong in not hearing confessions but pray for him, that is a work of mercy too.
 
If I were you, I’d probably write a letter to your bishop if it’s been like that for three years. The priest needs to be there, especially if people have mortal sins to confess.

I’ll pray for you and your church. :gopray:
 
ibkc said:
Wow, the exact same thing happened to me, and I started a thread about it just a little while ago! I’m sorry it happened to you, too. I’m a bit confused about it, myself. 😦
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Oh golly… I’m sorry for you, as well. It IS happening all over… apparently. 😦 I think I’m going to write a letter to our Archbishop. This just isn’t “right”.
 
ibkc said:
I went to confession today. It was going to be my first “regular” confession since my RCIA class confession before being received into the church last week.** Mainly I went because there was one big thing I forgot to confess in my nervousness in the first confession.** There were at least 35 - 40 people waiting in line and neither of the priests showed up. Someone finally got Father on the phone and he said there is no confession Easter week and that we should all just say an act of contrition and go home. I went into the eucharistic adoration chapel and said the act of contrition and some prayers, but I’m not sure if I’m OK to receive the eucharist tomorrow. 😦
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I suppose that they didn’tteach you in RCIA that if you honestly forget a sin it is OK, just confess it at the next available opportunity, as you tried to do. I never heard of no confessions during Easter Week but hey who knows?
 
ibkc said:
I went to confession today. It was going to be my first “regular” confession since my RCIA class confession before being received into the church last week. Mainly I went because there was one big thing I forgot to confess in my nervousness in the first confession. There were at least 35 - 40 people waiting in line and neither of the priests showed up. Someone finally got Father on the phone and he said there is no confession Easter week and that we should all just say an act of contrition and go home. I went into the eucharistic adoration chapel and said the act of contrition and some prayers, but I’m not sure if I’m OK to receive the eucharist tomorrow. 😦
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I think we were in line at the same Church. I PM’d you… to see. :o
 
Claire_from_DE said:
Within a week before or after is acceptable. Besides, you did your best. Have confidence in God’s mercy. I think the priest was wrong in not hearing confessions but pray for him, that is a work of mercy too.
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Thank you very much, Claire. Your words are very comforting. God bless you. But I have a hard time with this… as Jesus did not say “within 10 days” or “within a week”. He said “ON the Feast of My Mercy”. Therefore, I don’t understand why they seemingly go out of their way to deny the Sacrament to those who request it. 😦
 
Jennifer_G said:
If I were you, I’d probably write a letter to your bishop if it’s been like that for three years. The priest needs to be there, especially if people have mortal sins to confess.

I’ll pray for you and your church. :gopray:
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Exactly. I intend to write to the Archbishop as soon as possible. Suppose one of the 30 people who were turned away today, dies during the week? How will this priest feel… knowing that he turned that soul away… when it came to him, as Our Lords Minister… of Divine Mercy… and he turned it away? 😦
 
MarieVeronica said:
Thank you very much, Claire. Your words are very comforting. God bless you. But I have a hard time with this… as Jesus did not say “within 10 days” or “within a week”. He said “ON the Feast of My Mercy”. Therefore, I don’t understand why they seemingly go out of their way to deny the Sacrament to those who request it. 😦
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I read somewhere that Faustina was asked this question and said it was ok not to go to confession on the very day. Sorry I can’t remember where I read it.
 
Claire_from_DE said:
I read somewhere that Faustina was asked this question and said it was ok not to go to confession on the very day. Sorry I can’t remember where I read it.
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Well, my concern is that they are pointedly denying the Sacrament on the day before Divine Mercy Sunday (which seems in direct contrast to Our Lords request). Most parishes offer late afternoon Confessions… on all Saturdays. But the reason that the Pastor gave… this afternoon for NOT offering the Sacrament didn’t sound right to me. He said because we are still in Easter… there would be NO confessions. Huh? Since when?

I have always heard that they are to make the Sacrament of Reconciliation available to the Faithful whenever requested. Well, he had 30 people there… requesting it!
 
MarieVeronica said:
Oh golly… I’m sorry for you, as well. It IS happening all over… apparently. 😦 I think I’m going to write a letter to our Archbishop. This just isn’t “right”.
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There still are some churches that always have confession available. I just went today. My parish even has confession available quite often (several times a week) during Lent, and Holy Week.
 
MarieVeronica said:
Well, my concern is that they are pointedly denying the Sacrament on the day before Divine Mercy Sunday (which seems in direct contrast to Our Lords request). Most parishes offer late afternoon Confessions… on all Saturdays. But the reason that the Pastor gave… this afternoon for NOT offering the Sacrament didn’t sound right to me. He said because we are still in Easter… there would be NO confessions. Huh? Since when?

I have always heard that they are to make the Sacrament of Reconciliation available to the Faithful whenever requested. Well, he had 30 people there… requesting it!
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I agree with you. But if there were 30 people for confession your pastor must be doing something right, so when you confront him or write to the bishop compliment him on that before complaining. Maybe he’s really tired after last week…
Surely he can’t be planning to stop hearing confession during the whole Easter season:eek:
 
Joannm said:
ewtn.com/expert/answers/indulgences_conditions.htm

Since it is the Church that grants indulgences, this is what the Church regarding confession to gain the indulgence.
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Thank you, Joann. :hug1: The link is reassuring. But I’m still concerned about the Pastors “excuse” for not being there. Maybe he was tired after Easter week, sure. But I still feel that it was no good reason to turn away 30 people, seeking the Sacrament of Reconciliation. And since this has been going on now for 3 years (at his own admission)… it seems to me that he should be able to anticipate the needs of his parishioners, prior to Divine Mercy Sunday. He could surely call in an extra priest or two… to help him hear Confessions.

We are told, that when a man becomes a priest…he “dies to himself”… and becomes Christ’s Minister… to serve the People of God. Well, I feel that the Pastor let us down in a big way… this afternoon. And I’m very upset and saddened by his attitude.
 
Hmm…I’ve never had that problem at any of the traditional parishes (whether SSPX, FSSP, or indult) I have gone to. Confession is always available and if the priest isn’t hearing them, he is happy to hear it if you ask him. Must be a Novus Ordo problem!
 
Refugium said:
Hmm…I’ve never had that problem at any of the traditional parishes (whether SSPX, FSSP, or indult) I have gone to. Confession is always available and if the priest isn’t hearing them, he is happy to hear it if you ask him. Must be a Novus Ordo problem!
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No. It is not a “Novus Ordo problem”. It is a lazy priest problem.

James
 
Refugium said:
Hmm…I’ve never had that problem at any of the traditional parishes (whether SSPX, FSSP, or indult) I have gone to. Confession is always available and if the priest isn’t hearing them, he is happy to hear it if you ask him. Must be a Novus Ordo problem!
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We were actually directed to the local FSSP parish by the lady who spoke to Fr., for those of us who really really really needed to confess now. From our parish all the way down there and back to my house would have been at least an hour round trip, maybe more, and I had to get back home to my kid. I figured I’d ask here if I was going to be OK for tomorrow.
 
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