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

[JimR-OCDS]

MarieVeronica

There was truly a time… when it WAS “all the rage to have Confessions right before Mass”. I can remember as a child (I grew up in the 60’s - 70’s)… going to Sunday Mass… and out of the four Confessionals in that parish… there was always at least ONE priest, hearing Confessions right up to Holy Communion time.

Keep in mind that back then, there were 6 times as many priest as there are today.

My pastor is the only priest serving two parishes. Between Holy Thursday and Easter Sunday, he says 5 Masses, with the Saturday Vigil included, plus the Good Friday Service. He heard confessions and visited the sick on Saturday. All this plus handling the business matters of the parish.

This year, he did it all while having the flu. He didn’t schedule confession this past Saturday, but I know if need be, he’d hear a person’s confession if they called him and showed up a little early before Mass.

Am I going to go and gripe to this man’s face, that he should’ve had confessions on Saturday for Divine Mercy Sunday devotions?

Jim

 

[planter654]

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!

Did not answer all her questions!

God Bless

 

[planter654]

This whole thing is very sad. The pope and the bishops have been trying to get everybody to realize the seriousness of sin, and to come to Confession more often. This was also one of the reasons our previous pope was so enthusiastic about Divine Mercy Sunday, also.
There are a lot of Christmas/Easter Catholics out there, and having Confessions promoted and available for Divine Mercy Sunday is very valuable for them, to help get them back and keep them coming back to church on a more regular basis.

Unfortunately, not every priest on the parish level really understands that this plan is a good thing. I understand them being tired; I was pretty wiped myself after Easter, because I’m in our parish’s choir. But to be crude, priests will have plenty of time to rest when they’re dead. Meantime, they’ve got an awful lot of souls in their charge, and Jesus looking over their shoulder. You’d think there’d be more sense of urgency.

Do as I say, but not what I do! Jesus spoke of some of theses things. Jesus said: You tell people not to steal but you steal? You tell people not to lie but you lie? We are all human period.

God Bless

 

[planter654]

I find a difference between the Church’s indulgence requirements and the private devotions promise’s on Divine Mercy Sunday. Only once have I made confession right before Mass on Divine Mercy Sunday. This year, I made confession during Holy Week and Saturday night preceding Divine Mercy Sunday. I would much prefer confession right before Mass on the 2nd Sunday of Easter to fullifill the promise, but it is well within the Church’s requirements to make confession during Holy week for the indulgence which by commandment is binding, or in this case loosening. It’s unfortunate that a parish doesn’t practice this devotion and make availible the Sacraments for the promise. Last year my parish didn’t practice the devotion. This year I was pleased to see the image of Divine Mercy next to the alter to venerate and we recited the chaplet after Mass with our pastor in the lead. After Mass, I thanked our pastor for his efforts in this devotion and he responded with “just remind me a month in advance” and commented that he would like to expand on this yearly. Sometimes all you have to do is ask a question concerning the promise to spark an interest. Some will answer, some may not and some will take time to come around with a little reminder. Be patient. Tim

Instructments, tools “we use”---- interesting!

God Bless

 

[TOP]

Instructments, tools “we use”---- interesting!

God Bless

Where did I write “we use” and what are you talking about?

 

[planter654]

Where did I write “we use” and what are you talking about?

I am sorry you "did not"say----- “we use”---- when I said that it was I who said that. It was only my own thought that came to mind. Sorry---- you did not say that!

God Bless

 

[MarieVeronica]

How common would it be for parishes to have the numbers I cited? How would they handle that kind of line. In prep for Easter we had seven (7) priests (including from other parishes) come in to help and the church was between 1/2 and 3/4 full. On that load it took about an hour to hear all the confessions.

There is also a trade-off here. Sometimes on Saturdays it seems like the priest is abrupt because he wants to “get the line down.” Sometimes on Saturday, he needs to have this attitude or else not everyone will get his chance to confess.

OTOH, I work when our parish has its regular Saturday confession (I’m not permitted to leave work to attend confession). In one way, I actually thank God for this fact. This means in order to see my priest, I have to call for an appointment. By this fact, it’s more of a deliberate act than “pick-up the dry cleaning, buy groceries, and attend confession.” I celebrate having to call because this means I’m more likely to actually have my priest’s attention. I can receive spiritual guidance as well as the penance.

How many priests are on staff at your parish? We have two (2) priests serving a parish of about a thousand to two thousand (1000 - 2000) members. Also, in our parish, we have one room specifically marked as the “Confessional.” However, I’ve received confession in the “cloak room” where the priest preps for Mass, and also in the Candle Room, as well as my priest’s office.

When I was attending the local university (different parish), there was no specific room marked as the “Confessional” so the priest’s office doubled as such. At least for me, I still felt the full holiness of the sacrament.

Hi Darnok. You know, I doubt that it would be very realistic that 100 or more people, would all be lining up for Confession during Sunday Mass. The odds of that happening are probably pretty slim. For most people… Saturday is still the day for Confession. But at one time… parishes DID offer the Sacrament right up until the time of Holy Communion… maybe for that busy Mom who didn’t get a chance to go on Saturday? Or the over-worked Dad… who put in a few extra hours on Saturday to help pay the bills. Or maybe for the student, who was busy “cramming” on Saturday… for a test on Monday. etc. That is how important the Sacrament of Reconciliation was (and still is, in my opinion). They made it available, right up until Sunday Holy Communion. But the point I was trying to make… is that there seems to be a change of attitude now… at least in the two parishes I attend. I’ve noticed it… because I was away for about 10 years.

You do bring up a good point about the number of priests assigned to a parish, though. I know there are some parishes that only have 1 or 2 priests. Sadly, I’ve even heard about the occasional parish without a resident priest. Hopefully, though… the “priest shortage” is on its way out. I’ve heard that there are lots of new vocations! :extrahappy:

I also agree with you, that our priests are justified in “hurrying” people along, during Saturday Confessions… in order to give everyone a chance to receive the Sacrament. Thankfully, most parishes now accept appointments for the Sacrament… for longer Confessions. I guess I will have to keep this in mind, next year… before Divine Mercy Sunday.

We currently have 3 priests at one parish, and 2 at the other. However, that is about the amount we had in the 1960’s… at the parish I grew up. There were never more than 3 priests in residence. And somehow, Saturday Confessions were always well organized and well attended. And they lasted longer, too. They would hear Confessions for about 3 hours. The two parishes I currently attend… have “whittled” the time down to ONE hour for Confessions.

I do remember the various Pastors (I lived in that parish for well over 30 years) calling on “visiting” or retired priests… quite often. They always made sure they were well covered. So, maybe the answer is to extend the time for Confessions… from one hour… to two. And call in “visiting” or retired priests, wherever possible… in order to help lighten the load.