Okay, I might derail the thread by saying this, but let me try: I think it upsets people because specifically we have evolved a broken concept of participation. The ‘new’ Mass is characterised by lay participation by visible and active means. Whilst the Council commended lay ‘participation’ in this manner, I do not think it was ever envisaged that we forget the internal participation that has always been a part of being present at Mass.
I would agree with that 100%. I think it is possible for someone to participate on that level even if they’re standing in line for communion during the eary part of the Mass. I think it’s possible for someone to participate on that level even if they’re praying the rosary. It would be better for someone to avidly follow along with a missal, but that’s not something everyone can do. I think if you understand what is going on and you’re praying in such a way that your prayers are joined to that of the priest’s, you’re participating. Short of napping, reading the newspaper, or chatting with your neighbor, I wouldn’t presume to know what someone else is doing, interiorly.
If they want confession and the earliest opportunity is during Saturday Vigil or Sunday Mass - yes, absolutely. So what if they’re doing two things at once - you’d rather they ignore doing one very necessary thing in favour of another when they can do both of these very necessary things?
I have seen similar situations and if the priest breaks things off for the Mass it is generally announced that confessions will RESUME after Mass. It has been only rare occasions where one or the other priest has not been able to stay afterwards.
This is not always feasible. As I mentioned, Confession is during the week starting at 11:30 am. Mass starts at 12 pm. Many people who are there for Confession are on their lunch hour from work, since the parish is near downtown. They could not wait until 12:30 for Confession to resume. There is no obligation to attend daily Mass, but if any of the people have mortal sins to confess, that cannot wait until another day. If they were told to wait, they would have to leave in order to go back to work and would lose their opportunity to confess.
I have been part of a business district parish - and the priests there were always sensitive to the time constraints of others and the ‘lunch hour’ issue.
Confessions are supposed to be scheduled in such a way as to make it easy for the penitent to confess. This is just such a way – calling for an appointment, while great if that’s your wish, immediately removes the right to anonymity which we are guaranteed.
So a person who wishes for anonymity does not take that option - holding confession in the same place at the same time as mass detracts from the mass. Going ‘in the box’ at the local parish does not guarantee anonymity…
I’ve got to admit I had the same reaction as you, initially, but I recall in years past that confessions would sometimes be going on at least during the first part of Mass. I did a little research and found this interesting link:
I never doubted it has been allowed - but in this day and age - where people are way too willing to cut the time down spent dealing with spiritual - the habit of making confession available during mass will be ultimately of no good - something will be short changed and that will be the Mass.
Thanks for the quote.
:nope:I can see your point about modern-day practices, however I would still encourage the hearing of Confessions where there is a pastoral necessity. After all, which would you rather, a small amount of distraction in the Mass, or some person not being able to receive Holy Communion (bear in mind, they may not have the opportunity we have)?
What!? I heard you say “almost”… but Why?
That is horrible!
How can you even think such a horrible thought! It is because of the priest shortage that there are so few confession times and so it would be a good thing for people to have the opportunity before/after/during mass. I mean it is rediculous how few times a parish has confessions! In Vegas before Christmas and Easter for the two previous weeks every day except Sunday they have about 10 priests at a different parish each day hearing confessions from 6am until 9pm. That is to be sure that everyone has the chance to go. They have all the retired priests do this because all the non-retired priests are busy! :nope:Shoot – and here folks have been blaming the shorter times etc on folks not going to confession…That is horrible!
How can you say such a horrible thing!
I Hope you have a Blessed Easter despite this horrible thought.
Until the shortage begins to affect you.
That is true. The parish I mentioned that has confession before Mass and continues hearing confession during Mass if need be does not have long lines all the time. When I went in the summer, all the confessions were heard before Mass started.