Confessions taking too long

[InThePew]

While that may true for the odd person here and there, it is unlikely to be true for all dozen of the people in front of you. It’s understandable to be frustrated about waiting 2hrs during regular confession time.

Yes it is frustrating and yes, it is something that the priest is probably aware of. That said, the sacrament isn’t simply about punching the ticket so to speak - reciting a short list of sins and receiving penance and absolution - it’s about being healed and that takes longer for some than for others. The real problem is more the lack of priests if there’s that many people waiting each week and taking that long. So perhaps you might like to spend your time in the queue praying for more vocations to the priesthood!

 

[Socrates92]

the sacrament isn’t simply about punching the ticket so to speak - reciting a short list of sins and receiving penance and absolution - it’s about being healed and that takes longer for some than for others.

Well, technically, it’s about forgiveness and absolution. Further healing takes place outside the confessional through spiritual direction and hard work. Confession isn’t really the place for therapy; it’s a nice touch, but not worth depriving others of absolution because time is too short.

 

[SPONP4US]

Yes unfortunately I think alot of our brethren get too comfy in the quiet dark stillness of the box and forget about everyone else outside or they just fall asleep, or maybe the priest does. I mean what can they be possibly doing in there?

10 minutes is the maximum, unless the priest is ab overly talkative chap (like one of my confessors) then you should be done in less than that time. Most confession is like 1 hour, and there is usually many who are waiting outside and trying to not be damned for all eternity should they drop dead at any moment aswell as yourself.

On that thought, imagine if someone had a heart attack in the confession line because YOU where squeezing a free therapy session in the box? Could you live knowing someone died with a soul destined for damnation because you where having tearful soap box dramas and life story’s in the confession booth? Well I have imagined such things.

Get a move on in there !

 

[Catherinabird]

I hope God would recognize the intention of the penitent waiting for Confession in that situation. Sometimes we put legalistic limits on His limitless mercy.

 

[JanR]

This thought has occurred to me, maybe others here:

Those waiting in line, in good faith, to confess their sins and only fail to do so because time runs out, and should they die before they have a chance to try again the very next time confessions are held, don’t you think God would take that into account when he judges them?

Wouldn’t he say something like: “I know you were sorry for your sins and you sought absolution, and through no fault of your own, you were unable to do so before I took you. I give you credit for your sincere effort, and I think we can take care of this with a little stint in Purgatory.”

Remember, God is FAIR judge.

 

[SPONP4US]

That did tickle me. But you may never know if it was them or because they needed a long counsel. So no letting down tyres

 

[Pnwcatholic]

Yes, its wrong to be frustrated with other people trying to live their best life. Every once in a while I go to confession and the priest takes the time to talk to me. I appreciate it. I dont worry about others who may be upset that I wasn’t on a clock. Maybe you could watch the newborn while your wife goes to confession.

 

[babochka]

InThePew:

the sacrament isn’t simply about punching the ticket so to speak - reciting a short list of sins and receiving penance and absolution - it’s about being healed and that takes longer for some than for others.

Well, technically, it’s about forgiveness and absolution. Further healing takes place outside the confessional through spiritual direction and hard work. Confession isn’t really the place for therapy; it’s a nice touch, but not worth depriving others of absolution because time is too short.

No, it is about healing through forgiveness and absolution.

I think that very few people receive any sort of therapy in the confessional. Spiritual counsel, yes, and that is entirely appropriate, though sometimes it is prudent to keep it short.

 

[Minks]

@VeryBlessed

“Bless me Father, for I have sinned… In addition to my others sins, I confess harboring anger and unforgiveness towards the long-winded penitents in front of me in line, and for retaliating by letting the air out of their car tires.”

And, @SPONP4US

Yes unfortunately I think alot of our brethren get too comfy in the quiet dark stillness of the box and forget about everyone else outside or they just fall asleep, or maybe the priest does. I mean what can they be possibly doing in there?

10 minutes is the maximum, unless the priest is ab overly talkative chap (like one of my confessors) then you should be done in less than that time. Most confession is like 1 hour, and there is usually many who are waiting outside and trying to not be damned for all eternity should they drop dead at any moment aswell as yourself.

On that thought, imagine if someone had a heart attack in the confession line because YOU where squeezing a free therapy session in the box? Could you live knowing someone died with a soul destined for damnation because you where having tearful soap box dramas and life story’s in the confession booth? Well I have imagined such things.

Get a move on in there !

@SPONP4US

LOL! You two are a hoot! And right on the money! You had me laughing out loud!

 

[SPONP4US]

Think we need to see more of these In Church.(Please Note: This uploaded content is no longer available.)

 

[bassmansteiny]

I totally understand this. When i was incarcerated, long time ago, we only got to see a Priest about once a month. We normally had a Deacon. There were enough of us Catholics that he couldn’t possibly hear all our confessions and do a Mass in the amount of time we had, let alone if they called yard early. So there could be times you could not get to confession for a 2 to 3 months. We would have Mass first and then whatever time was left was for confession in the corner of the chapel.

 

[BlueMaxx]

I always go early to be first in line.

Ding! Ding! Ding!

We have a winner…most people seem to wait till the end of the posted confession times, they come streaming in and get in a line, I profess to having been guilty of this in the past.

There I would stand, often in a line, just outside the confessional and hearing those who seem to be oblivious to their own conversational loudness conversing with the priest…(no I cannot hear what they are saying) but I will hear the occasional laughter, or nervous laughter, whatever it is the penitent is discussing and thinking to myself “this is no place for conversation, get on with it!” Mass is due to start in minutes, the bells are ringing! Why are you taking so long? Why are you impeding on my precious time!"

Then I have to remember to confess my impertinence

One day I started to realize, if I wait till the last minutes of the time allotted in the bulletin for the priest to hear confessions, does that leave me enough time to go back in the pew and do my prayer penance properly, with the seriousness and reflection and understanding of forgiveness it deserves?

It struck me, how about going early?
Is it too much to ask for me to leave a little earlier?
To set the alarm for maybe a half hour earlier?

If I get there and am in and out and avoid the last minute confessors, would it hurt me to be in my pew in the Church alone with my thoughts and prayers?

Couldn’t I use that time to perhaps after doing my penance sin recital to maybe to open my Give Us This Day monthly devotional and read the morning reading?
To use that little extra time to examine the Saint of the day?

So I changed my ways…if it so happens I get there and have a heavy sin on my heart, and cannot get my time in the confessional, then I need to restrain myself from partaking in the body and blood of Christ.

Which then gives me impetus to make sure I go and confess quickly, less I die with unconfessed sin.

If I pass from this life out of communion with Christ all for the sake of my unpreparedness how awful!

I should keep my own lamp full of oil and my own wick trimmed, not blame someone else for taking to long to bring the oil and a new wick on time.

Which also makes me think even harder before repeating a sin as I agonize over my own fault and the temporal penalty I incurred.

Long story short, get up and go earlier, if it is that pressing after church go seek out the priest…call the office and set up an appointment…go to another Parrish ASAP that may have a different time of mass and confession that day.

Just my two cents.

M

 

[TheLittleLady]

Make an appointment.

 

[paperwight]

Surely if everyone went early, that wouldn’t make any difference to how long the line took? There would just be more people waiting for longer.

 

[Convert3]

Surely if everyone went early, that wouldn’t make any difference to how long the line took? There would just be more people waiting for longer.

I guess you’re the “glass half empty” kind of person. What are the chances of a large group of people showing up early? If they did, many confession would be scheduled more frequently or for longer sessions.
For what it’s worth, I wish people lined up for confession like they do when a new iPhone comes out at an Apple store. Wouldn’t that be great?

 

[Tommy999]

From a purely pragmatic approach, when there are more than one or two priests available to hear Confession, would it be possible to temporarily label (with a specific color or symbol or other identifier) at least one booth to indicate a fast lane for anticipated quick and to-the-point confessions?

Sort of like an “express lane” at the grocery store.

Perhaps that might keep the flow going better.

Of course, this approach wouldn’t work if people with long confessions routinely entered the proverbial “express lane” or if there is only one priest hearing confessions.

Probably a silly idea on my part but since this is an internet forum, just thought I’d toss it out there as an option for discussion.

 

[babochka]

From a purely pragmatic approach, when there are more than one or two priests available to hear Confession, would it be possible to temporarily label (with a specific color or symbol or other identifier) at least one booth to indicate a fast lane for anticipated quick and to-the-point confessions?

Sort of like an “express lane” at the grocery store.

Perhaps that might keep the flow going better.

Of course, this approach wouldn’t work if people with long confessions routinely entered the proverbial “express lane” or if there is only one priest hearing confessions.

Probably a silly idea on my part but since this is an internet forum, just thought I’d toss it out there as an option for discussion.

I’ve seen that happen naturally at a parish near me. They usually had three priests hearing confessions. The pastor was the speedy one. He was hard of hearing and usually cut you off after about two and a half sins, with a cheerful, “Is that all, then?” The slow one was a priest in Residence who worked full-time as a Chaplain for the Youth Authority. He had a degree in Psychology and a credential in counseling. If you needed it, he would give you the time. The middle line was a rotating position, held by a variety of visiting priests. There were always lines at that parish, and after a couple of visits, it was easy to figure out which was the best line for one’s own circumstances.

 

[JanR]

That’s only as workable as people willing to honor it. I’ve seen so-called express lanes at supermarkets. The sign specifically states, “Ten or fewer items”, and people get in that line with full cartloads of way more than just ten. And daring anyone to say anything about it.

 

[JoeFreedom]

I would assume the standard… bank heists, right?

 

[vz71]

The sign specifically states, “Ten or fewer items”, and people get in that line with full cartloads of way more than just ten.

I think it would be hilarious to see a similar sign on the confessional.
But I don’t think everyone would share my sense of humor.

Perhaps two signs.
And express lane and a full service lane.