How can people be drawn back to the Sacrament of Reconciliation?

[Diaconia]

Change the name away from Reconciliation, which few understand, back to Confession.

Actually the correct name of the sacrament is Penance. Both “confession,” and “reconciliation,” are short-hand (and incomplete theological descriptors of the sacrament).

 

[commenter]

Parishes use short hand terms sometimes. So do schools. Some short hand terms, such as “Confession”, are better than than others, like “Reconciliation”.
The fact that Calculus exists doesn’t eliminate the value of understanding arithmetic.

 

[SuscipeMeDomine]

Parishes use short hand terms sometimes. So do schools. Some short hand terms, such as “Confession”, are better than than others, like “Reconciliation”.

The Catechism uses a variety of terms.

I. What is This Sacrament Called?

1423 It is called the sacrament of conversion because it makes sacramentally present Jesus’ call to conversion, the first step in returning to the Father5 from whom one has strayed by sin.
It is called the sacrament of Penance, since it consecrates the Christian sinner’s personal and ecclesial steps of conversion, penance, and satisfaction.

1424 It is called the sacrament of confession, since the disclosure or confession of sins to a priest is an essential element of this sacrament. In a profound sense it is also a “confession” - acknowledgment and praise - of the holiness of God and of his mercy toward sinful man.
It is called the sacrament of forgiveness, since by the priest’s sacramental absolution God grants the penitent "pardon and peace."6
It is called the sacrament of Reconciliation, because it imparts to the sinner the live of God who reconciles: "Be reconciled to God."7 He who lives by God’s merciful love is ready to respond to the Lord’s call: "Go; first be reconciled to your brother."8

 

[commenter]

We need to challenge people to go beyond the basics. I get that. What’s happened is that preachers and catechists for 50 years have omitted basics, skipped over the basics. The result for most Catholics is not more meaningful confessions, but no confessions.

Maybe twice a year certain pastors will say or imply, ,“come on in … it’s not the torture session it used to be”. They emphasis how it is painless, harmless, guilt free, worry free, no demands, no need for you to change, no commitment…
In fact they suggest it’s almost nothing.
Then, surprisingly, few come.

 

[Rayne2Step]

Sit in the silence of the adoration chapel. Peace be with you

 

[Maximilian75]

Based upon…?