confession

[smk33]

After a very long wander of many years from the church, I have returned and want to go to confession. My question is simple; after such a long time, it’s possible that I may have quite a bit to say and I am a bit concerned about taking too much time and keeping others waiting in line outside the confessional booth, yet I am uncertain that I want to schedule a special appointment. If I take 10 minutes or so, would that be too much ? Should I stop worrying about this and just go ?

Thank You

 

[Oneofthewomen]

My suggestion would be to make an appointment.
Not that you couldn’t just go at a regularly scheduled time, it takes as long as it takes,
but if you make an appointment you don’t have to worry about it.

Peace be with you on your journey!

 

[Young_Thinker]

It depends upon whether or not your parish typically has a crowd of people waiting to confess in a limited amount of time (e.g. an hour a week). That is not the case, then I would worry about it.

 

[corsair]

I have a friend that left the church and returned after 20 years. He said his first Confession after returning lasted over 30 minutes. And he did it with an appointment. Said he was pretty nervous at first but that the priest helped him through it. He told me he never felt so good afterwards.

So my advise is just bite the bullet and go.

 

[dailey]

When I had a long confession a while back, I wrote it down on a piece of paper and basically read it. It kept me on track and avoided me rambling thereby taking up less time.

 

[neilbautista]

Don’t worry about it. Everyone in the line for confession is supposed to do penance. If some people are not able to confess because your confession took very long, it’s not anymore your fault. After all, if they really are sorry for their sins, they could always go to confession at another day. But I agree with dailey. If you don’t want your confession to take very long, then make a list of your sins so you could read them and avoid rambling.

God bless you.

 

[denver_faithful]

Make the appointment! I don’t think 10 minutes is overly much, but it would be quite a downer for people that miss out on the grace of the Sacrament if the time for confessions is limited.