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Searching1
Guest
I use an app called masstimes to see all the local confession hours, etc. I have a few different churches I go to based on convenience.
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JanR
Guest
I understood that you were referring to laity.
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whatistrue
Guest
This is getting way more serious than my comment was intended to be. No, they are probably not confessing those specific actions (unless they are just now remembering them 
) but that really wasn’t the point. The serious thought behind the flippant statement of mine was that you really can’t ever tell what is in someone else’s heart.
) but that really wasn’t the point. The serious thought behind the flippant statement of mine was that you really can’t ever tell what is in someone else’s heart.
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Gorgias
Guest
That’s why I’m not particularly fond of “confessions right before Mass.” Folks tend to get cranky when they’ve been standing in line and then they’re told “sorry… gotta go prepare for Mass now!”
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rdj88
Guest
I just went to confession this past Saturday and had to wait in line over an hour, but I looked at it as God forcing me to slow down and do some reflection. I struggle with making time to just relax and do nothing, to contemplate, to reflect, to commune with God. Anytime I have free time I fill it with “busy work” - browsing my phone, listening to music or podcasts, watching TV, etc. That hour in the confession line was the first time in a while I actually just did nothing, in silence.
I saw a quote recently (can’t remember who from) that silence isn’t a rejection of language; rather, it’s allowing yourself to listen to God’s language - the eternal Word. I found this to be absolutely true. During that hour I thought through a lot of things - with God’s help - and made some important realizations.
Maybe God’s simply trying to tell you something. Whether you need to be more patient, or more empathetic to the needs of other people, or you just need to make more time for silent contemplation. Nothing is accidental, nothing is coincidence. Look for God in everything, and you will find him working with a purpose.
I saw a quote recently (can’t remember who from) that silence isn’t a rejection of language; rather, it’s allowing yourself to listen to God’s language - the eternal Word. I found this to be absolutely true. During that hour I thought through a lot of things - with God’s help - and made some important realizations.
Maybe God’s simply trying to tell you something. Whether you need to be more patient, or more empathetic to the needs of other people, or you just need to make more time for silent contemplation. Nothing is accidental, nothing is coincidence. Look for God in everything, and you will find him working with a purpose.
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Catholic361
Guest
Mass at the parish i go to is from 4:30 to 5:30 pm
Confession is from 3:30 p.m. to 4:30
I understand that I was in the same situation I was in line yesterday for confession and I felt like people were talking to long to confess but then I remembered that maybe God was letting it take a while for me to reflect on my sins, just as when I broke my leg at the beginning of the summer I was telling me to be patient and that I was get to confess and that he would absolve me of my sins and that I was in last for confession there were others who were in line but the priest ran out of time.
Confession is from 3:30 p.m. to 4:30
I understand that I was in the same situation I was in line yesterday for confession and I felt like people were talking to long to confess but then I remembered that maybe God was letting it take a while for me to reflect on my sins, just as when I broke my leg at the beginning of the summer I was telling me to be patient and that I was get to confess and that he would absolve me of my sins and that I was in last for confession there were others who were in line but the priest ran out of time.
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JanR
Guest
I don’t believe in coincidences.
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PetraG
Guest
Our priest used to announce at Mass when he had run out of time for confessions that he would be hearing confessions after Mass that week. I would be that if you asked a priest who runs out of time if he would hear your confession after Mass, he will do it if it is at all possible.
Pray for all those priests who pray that this week they’ll have enough penitents to use up all their time…
We have to remember that a parish with a priest who needs to expand the time he’s available for confession is a parish that is getting healthier. As a parish, having a number of pentitents that is growing faster than the priest thought it would is kind of a positive “problem” to have.
I agree with those who say that being patient while other people taking their time confessing is a pretty light penance. Taken in the right spirit, surely being merciful to other penitents before we confess ourselves must be an opportunity to for mercy for ourselves that we shouldn’t neglect. On the other hand, if confession does increase our charity, surely it will also increase our concern for the people waiting behind us in line. Being both patient with those ahead of us and yet prepared to be as concise as we can on our end out of consideration for those behind us are both good habits for those of us who confess habitually.
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Catholic361
Guest
My parish has only one priest right now. Don’t know when or if another one will be assigned to help.
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PetraG
Guest
I really don’t know any priests who aren’t pleased when they have to carve out more time to be available to hear confessions. (I know so many who have St John Vianey as their inspiration.)
Once someone becomes a regular, a confessor is more likely to direct them that they can be more brief. The sacrament typically takes more time when someone goes rarely or has just started to be a regular.
Once someone becomes a regular, a confessor is more likely to direct them that they can be more brief. The sacrament typically takes more time when someone goes rarely or has just started to be a regular.
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Bill6
Guest
I wouldn’t be frustrated. If you are in mortal sin or really want to confess I would wait if you reasonably can. You may want to consoder finding another Parish at which the lines are shorter or move quicker. It doesn’t have to be the parish where you go to Mass at or do anything else at.
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Taras_Bulba
Guest
My guess would be that the parish doesn’t offer confession often enough and the people either have a lot to talk about (ahem) or are not as familiar with the sacrament as they could be. I would also wonder if the confessionals are the face-to-face comfy chair kind or the wooden booth screen kind. I think the latter go quicker.
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Kindnessmatters
Guest
I don’t care for this. This is how I try to proceed but truly, it’s rude to post this sign. I have always hated snippy notes whether it’s “your mother doesn’t work here…do your dishes” or nastygrams by roommates to other roommates. Talk to people.
If confession times are not adequate, extend them. If this is being posted, it is a chronic problem so the church needs to meet the demand. Truly, every parishioner should be coming monthly but perhaps 1 in 30 actually go to confession…we should be happy to need to expand time for this seriously neglected sacrament.
Further, this isn’t like ordering a burger in the drive through. I can think of no time when it is more important for a person to speak from the heart nor to feel heard and like they have been clear and understood. If someone needs more conversation than can be accommodated, the priest can address it and suggest the parishioner make an appointment to talk more. The point of confession is not to add to the penitent’s feelings if embarassment and shame or make them feel they are “doing it wrong”.
If confession times are not adequate, extend them. If this is being posted, it is a chronic problem so the church needs to meet the demand. Truly, every parishioner should be coming monthly but perhaps 1 in 30 actually go to confession…we should be happy to need to expand time for this seriously neglected sacrament.
Further, this isn’t like ordering a burger in the drive through. I can think of no time when it is more important for a person to speak from the heart nor to feel heard and like they have been clear and understood. If someone needs more conversation than can be accommodated, the priest can address it and suggest the parishioner make an appointment to talk more. The point of confession is not to add to the penitent’s feelings if embarassment and shame or make them feel they are “doing it wrong”.
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CradleRC58
Guest
Reminds me of a homily I heard from a Dominican.
He told us he wanted to talk about confession and went on to say how far too often people want to mention what they are doing right. Various devotions, working in church ministry, Etc.
Then he went on to say that confession is meant to confess our sins and obtain pardon and absolution. He ended with " we do not go to confession to plead our case for canonization, we are there to confess our sins. Get on with it !"
He told us he wanted to talk about confession and went on to say how far too often people want to mention what they are doing right. Various devotions, working in church ministry, Etc.
Then he went on to say that confession is meant to confess our sins and obtain pardon and absolution. He ended with " we do not go to confession to plead our case for canonization, we are there to confess our sins. Get on with it !"
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