MERGED: Confession: Why long Lines/Hard to get to?

[hwriggles4]

Fellow Catholics:

Here’s a good question that often comes up concerning the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

Today, there are oftentimes long lines for the Sacrament, with only two priests. While I am glad to see that within the past 10-15 years, many Catholics have taken more interest (and been more faithful) in receiving the Sacrament, and I am glad to see that more **good **priests are bringing it up in their homilies and in their church bulletins, and more **good **priests are offering additional times to receive this Sacrament.

However, I do want to ask a few things:

1. I do find that some Catholics (some, not all) end up taking too much time in the confessional, particularly when there are long lines. I do know some priests ask the penitent to make their confession brief (i.e. do their examination of conscience beforehand), and if they want to discuss further, an appointment can be made with the priest at a later time (I’ve even seen a few parishes issue guidelines on this outside the confessional). I just wanted to ask a few of you to share your thoughts on this.
2. A few times, when there are long lines, the priest has absolved me from my sins but then asks that I do my Act of Contrition outside the confessional, in order to help expedite the line. Is this a common practice? Is this still a valid confession? Personally, I don’t mind doing this since it helps others with the Sacrament of Penance.
3. About a year ago, I was one of the last ones in line before the Saturday evening Mass. The priest asked me when I was done with my confession, how many were left. I advised him there was a young girl about 8 years old that was behind me. I did that because I wanted to give the priest a moment to prepare, since he had a child coming. Was this good practice? I thought it was, since some children are nervous about going.
4. I also advise people not to be afraid to go to the Sacrament of Penance. I try to go at least once a month. Don’t be afraid about confessing sins - priests have heard it all, and they cannot break the seal. Many don’t even remember afterwards what they heard. It’s been said that if every Catholic in the pew attended confession regularly, psychologists would be out of business. Thoughts?

One reason I bring up this sacrament: I grew up primarily in the 70’s and 80’s. As a high school student in the 1980’s, confession was taught to our youth group like “oh, that’s old church, we don’t do that anymore”, and while our pastor scheduled confessions in those days for about 30 minutes before the Saturday evening Mass, I don’t recall anyone going to confession, and heard very little preaching on the Sacrament in those days. (How do I know this? my brother and I were regular altar boys for the Saturday evening Mass, and had to show up early - oftentimes, the pastor would be smoking a cigarette in the sacristy when we arrived - no joke.) That was one reason I didn’t receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation for at least 13 years.

Feel free to contribute, but no jabs, rants, or put-downs please.

 

[Richard_White]

Yeah, I just graduated from a Catholic high school and I never really saw anyone go to Confession except for me and a few others. At one of our all-school Confession times (for Lent), one of my friends expressed interest in going, and I tried to encourage her, but she ended up not going because she felt embarrassed confessing to a priest that she knew and would look at her differently afterwards. I did tell her that one is really confessing to Jesus, and that the priest won’t even remember, but she (and the others with us) still didn’t want to go.

Its really a sense of humiliation for what you have done that keep people away, even adults, but humility is a key part of the Sacrament, and confessing your sins to Jesus through the priest for absolution is how this is done for our salvation.

May God bless you abundantly and forever!

 

[Isca]

I think it’s easier for us converts, really, who have come to all of this in recent years. I don’t think of it primarily as ‘Confession’, I think of it as receiving the Sacrament of Reconciliation and so I make an appointment each time to see the priest, either in the Parish House or in the room attached to church, which is used instead of a Confessional.

It’s informal and face-to-face. I haven’t minded telling him about some fairly big issues from my past because I know he is there to help me reflect and explore why I did some of those things back then, as well as absolve me from my sins.

I don’t see the long queues in church. I have no idea what other people do or how often they receive the Sacrament, but for me, it’s a blessing.

 

[Casilda]

1. I do find that some Catholics (some, not all) end up taking too much time in the confessional, particularly when there are long lines. I do know some priests ask the penitent to make their confession brief (i.e. do their examination of conscience beforehand), and if they want to discuss further, an appointment can be made with the priest at a later time (I’ve even seen a few parishes issue guidelines on this outside the confessional). I just wanted to ask a few of you to share your thoughts on this.

the parishes I have visited do not have lines, but in your case, I see it appropriate to make appointments if what you need may take too long for the normal 30-45 minute slot alloted for confessions

1. A few times, when there are long lines, the priest has absolved me from my sins but then asks that I do my Act of Contrition outside the confessional, in order to help expedite the line. Is this a common practice? Is this still a valid confession? Personally, I don’t mind doing this since it helps others with the Sacrament of Penance.

I have always done this, thought everyone did.

1. About a year ago, I was one of the last ones in line before the Saturday evening Mass. The priest asked me when I was done with my confession, how many were left. I advised him there was a young girl about 8 years old that was behind me. I did that because I wanted to give the priest a moment to prepare, since he had a child coming. Was this good practice? I thought it was, since some children are nervous about going.
2. I also advise people not to be afraid to go to the Sacrament of Penance. I try to go at least once a month. Don’t be afraid about confessing sins - priests have heard it all, and they cannot break the seal. Many don’t even remember afterwards what they heard. It’s been said that if every Catholic in the pew attended confession regularly, psychologists would be out of business. Thoughts?

the world would be a better place if we all had better access to a priest who was a genuine shepherd to his flock. If every sheep in his flock fit into one Mass on Sunday and he knew everyone name, or at least last name

.

 

[PaulfromIowa]

1. A few times, when there are long lines, the priest has absolved me from my sins but then asks that I do my Act of Contrition outside the confessional, in order to help expedite the line. Is this a common practice? Is this still a valid confession? Personally, I don’t mind doing this since it helps others with the Sacrament of Penance.

It is necessary to have contrition, not to say any particular Act of Contrition. When others are waiting, it would be considerate not to take up the priest’s time saying a long Act of Contrition.

1. About a year ago, I was one of the last ones in line before the Saturday evening Mass. The priest asked me when I was done with my confession, how many were left. I advised him there was a young girl about 8 years old that was behind me. I did that because I wanted to give the priest a moment to prepare, since he had a child coming. Was this good practice? I thought it was, since some children are nervous about going.

You answered the question, nothing wrong with that.

 

[twf]

In my experience a lot of it depends on the priests. I know of two parishes in my archdiocese that have long confession lines on a regular basis. At our cathedral, confessions are heard 3 times daily Monday through Saturday and whenever I have gone there is always a line (the cathedral is in the heart of downtown - there are 4 daily masses and 7 Sunday masses…it is a busy parish and confession is encouraged by the priests)…but the line goes quickly even if there are only one or two priests hearing confessions as the priests encourage quick and to the point confessions and give quick and to the point advice. Those who need more are encouraged to make an appointment. At another parish with daily confession there are also always lines (at least on Sundays when I have gone for confession there), but sometimes a single penitent will take 10-15 minutes…it seems to me that the priests offer spiritual direction right then and there and make no effort to speed up the process. I laud their intentions but personally find the Cathedral’s approach much more practical.

 

[Neofight]

Fellow Catholics:

Here’s a good question that often comes up concerning the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

Today, there are oftentimes long lines for the Sacrament, with only two priests. While I am glad to see that within the past 10-15 years, many Catholics have taken more interest (and been more faithful) in receiving the Sacrament, and I am glad to see that more **good **priests are bringing it up in their homilies and in their church bulletins, and more **good **priests are offering additional times to receive this Sacrament.

However, I do want to ask a few things:

1. I do find that some Catholics (some, not all) end up taking too much time in the confessional, particularly when there are long lines. I do know some priests ask the penitent to make their confession brief (i.e. do their examination of conscience beforehand), and if they want to discuss further, an appointment can be made with the priest at a later time (I’ve even seen a few parishes issue guidelines on this outside the confessional). I just wanted to ask a few of you to share your thoughts on this.

“Too much” time is subjective. While sometimes its uncomfortable waiting in line, the priest is in a better position than those of us waiting outside to decide whether a private appointment is a better venue for addressing the needs of the parishioner.

1. A few times, when there are long lines, the priest has absolved me from my sins but then asks that I do my Act of Contrition outside the confessional, in order to help expedite the line. Is this a common practice? Is this still a valid confession? Personally, I don’t mind doing this since it helps others with the Sacrament of Penance.

Maybe there is, and someone can correct me, but I don’t think there is any canonical rule for the Act of Contrition to be said in the confessional…If there is, and the priest is in error, its not your fault, so while it may have been illicit, it wouldn’t be invalid…trust your priest.

1. About a year ago, I was one of the last ones in line before the Saturday evening Mass. The priest asked me when I was done with my confession, how many were left. I advised him there was a young girl about 8 years old that was behind me. I did that because I wanted to give the priest a moment to prepare, since he had a child coming. Was this good practice? I thought it was, since some children are nervous about going.

Its probably neither here nor there. My guess is the priest is quite capable of handling the many different situations that arise for confessions.

1. I also advise people not to be afraid to go to the Sacrament of Penance. I try to go at least once a month. Don’t be afraid about confessing sins - priests have heard it all, and they cannot break the seal. Many don’t even remember afterwards what they heard. It’s been said that if every Catholic in the pew attended confession regularly, psychologists would be out of business. Thoughts?

Its a nice thought, but unfortunately, even if every Catholic did attend confession regularly, there are enough non-Catholics who would still provide plenty of business for psychologists.

One reason I bring up this sacrament: I grew up primarily in the 70’s and 80’s. As a high school student in the 1980’s, confession was taught to our youth group like “oh, that’s old church, we don’t do that anymore”, and while our pastor scheduled confessions in those days for about 30 minutes before the Saturday evening Mass, I don’t recall anyone going to confession, and heard very little preaching on the Sacrament in those days. (How do I know this? my brother and I were regular altar boys for the Saturday evening Mass, and had to show up early - oftentimes, the pastor would be smoking a cigarette in the sacristy when we arrived - no joke.) That was one reason I didn’t receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation for at least 13 years.

Its hard to argue with what you experienced. Its pretty clear that poor catechesis has plagued Catholics for a long, long, time. Realizing it is a problem is the first step in solving it. Have you considered starting a catechesis program for your parish targeting long time Catholics who really have not been taught the faith well? That is what the New Evangelization is all about!

Peace and all good!

 

[anonymous1995]

I go to Confession quite frequently - at least once every three weeks. Why? I read somewhere that Satan hates Confessions more than Exorcisms.

I do feel greater strength to resist temptations having frequented Confessions. However, I am still very weak in spirituality and pray too little. Of course I have so much to tell Jesus - every time when I kneel before Him in Eucharist I always wonder why I don’t set aside some time every day to talk to him, when I really have so much to tell Our Lord.

Then very often I lapse into the same sin again. Usually things go very well after receiving the Eucharist on Sunday. Then I commit sins on Fridays or Saturdays (just like yesterday). Then I’ll have to fret over where and when to go to Confession (since I feel bad telling the same priest the same sin every Sunday - especially when he is a bit fierce).

For your information I usually go to the Traditional Latin Mass during summer, but there is usually no priest for Confession probably because it’s a small community and people simply make an appointment for Confession. So I’ll have to travel around looking for a priest - except the fierce one in my home parish. I know this isn’t right but really I feel scared about him.

Then I mourn for my stupidity - why would I have to put myself in such labour and predicament had I not sinned?!

Yes, temptation is difficult to resist. Of course I see small improvements. But the progress is too slow!

I hope there would be reply to my post soon since Sunday is coming. Time to decide where to go for my Confession…Sunday Confession Hunt XD

 

[CatholicSheila]

1. I do find that some Catholics (some, not all) end up taking too much time in the confessional, particularly when there are long lines. I do know some priests ask the penitent to make their confession brief (i.e. do their examination of conscience beforehand), and if they want to discuss further, an appointment can be made with the priest at a later time (I’ve even seen a few parishes issue guidelines on this outside the confessional). I just wanted to ask a few of you to share your thoughts on this.

When you say that some priests ask penitents to make their confession brief when they come into the confessional? That I would have a problem with. I don’t think it should be bought up in the confessional. Not before the confession or after.

I would be fine with Priests teaching outside of the confession how to make a good confession. When telling someone to be brief we also needs to address how to be brief. Teaching about exactly what is required (ie. form and number) and what confession is and is not would do that quite easily.

I wonder how many people who go into the confessional for 15 minutes are actually going “I did x 3 times. Help me”. Que spiritual direction. “I did y 4 times. Help me”. Que spiritual direction. Or is it more "so I do x … insert detailed description and explanation … blah blah blah blah blah… "???

Around here I actually find Priests to be the main culprit when it comes to spiritual guidance. I never ask for it. I’m blessed that the Priests in my area are all very passionate and want to help encourage people in their faith. They can’t help giving some spiritual guidance during confession. That said, a “long” confession wouldn’t be more than 5 minutes. I don’t think I’ve ever gotten stuck behind someone who took 15 minutes.

1. A few times, when there are long lines, the priest has absolved me from my sins but then asks that I do my Act of Contrition outside the confessional, in order to help expedite the line. Is this a common practice? Is this still a valid confession? Personally, I don’t mind doing this since it helps others with the Sacrament of Penance.

I’ve never had that happen.

1. I also advise people not to be afraid to go to the Sacrament of Penance. I try to go at least once a month. Don’t be afraid about confessing sins - priests have heard it all, and they cannot break the seal. Many don’t even remember afterwards what they heard. It’s been said that if every Catholic in the pew attended confession regularly, psychologists would be out of business. Thoughts?

I disagree on the psychologists. I have seen a psychologist in the past and the work she did with me was very different from what I got from confession. Confession is a wonderful thing, but it’s not therapy.

In regards to fear of confession, I believe that regular confession quickly addresses this. If you do something often enough, it loses the ability to be scary. Despite suffering severe social anxiety, the confessional holds no fear for me any more.

Going back to ‘form and number’, that was something that really helped me with confession. I knew what to do and say. Going free form in your sins is more daunting. You don’t dwell on your sins doing form and number. “x 3 times. y 4 times. z every day etc.” Then the embarrassing part is over. Go free form and suddenly you’re giving the Priest a mini speech about your sins.

So I’ll have to travel around looking for a priest - except the fierce one in my home parish. I know this isn’t right but really I feel scared about him.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with priest shopping for confession. You can go where you feel most comfortable. Just as you can choose whether you want face to face or behind the screen. The Church says we must confess mortal sins. She doesn’t say we have to do it at our home parish.

 

[Mary_Ellen]

Fellow Catholics:

Here’s a good question that often comes up concerning the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

Today, there are oftentimes long lines for the Sacrament, with only two priests. While I am glad to see that within the past 10-15 years, many Catholics have taken more interest (and been more faithful) in receiving the Sacrament, and I am glad to see that more **good **priests are bringing it up in their homilies and in their church bulletins, and more **good **priests are offering additional times to receive this Sacrament.

However, I do want to ask a few things:

1. I do find that some Catholics (some, not all) end up taking too much time in the confessional, particularly when there are long lines. I do know some priests ask the penitent to make their confession brief (i.e. do their examination of conscience beforehand), and if they want to discuss further, an appointment can be made with the priest at a later time (I’ve even seen a few parishes issue guidelines on this outside the confessional). I just wanted to ask a few of you to share your thoughts on this.

I think a parish has the right to publish guidelines about keeping confessions brief but if they do so it should be with information about what is and is not appropriate for a queued confession - number and kind appropriate, excessive details not unless asked. As for making a appointment to see a priest for confession this is not always possible - particularly if a penitent wants to retain their right to confess behind a screen.

1. A few times, when there are long lines, the priest has absolved me from my sins but then asks that I do my Act of Contrition outside the confessional, in order to help expedite the line. Is this a common practice? Is this still a valid confession? Personally, I don’t mind doing this since it helps others with the Sacrament of Penance.

After having visited the Forums for a while, it does not seem that this is common practice but it is not unheard of. Yes, the confession is still valid

1. About a year ago, I was one of the last ones in line before the Saturday evening Mass. The priest asked me when I was done with my confession, how many were left. I advised him there was a young girl about 8 years old that was behind me. I did that because I wanted to give the priest a moment to prepare, since he had a child coming. Was this good practice? I thought it was, since some children are nervous about going.

The priest asked and you answered. I may not have given details, myself, as all of us are equal in God’s eyes and many adults are more nervous than children about going.

1. I also advise people not to be afraid to go to the Sacrament of Penance. I try to go at least once a month. Don’t be afraid about confessing sins - priests have heard it all, and they cannot break the seal. Many don’t even remember afterwards what they heard. It’s been said that if every Catholic in the pew attended confession regularly, psychologists would be out of business. Thoughts?

I lead by example and am vocal about how often I go to Confession and how much I enjoy the sacrament. If interest is shown or questions asked I advise monthly Confession. As for psychologists - I also go to counseling once a week. Even if no Catholics at all ever used the services of a clinical psychiatrist there are lots of folks from other faiths - or without faith - who can keep them in business.

One reason I bring up this sacrament: I grew up primarily in the 70’s and 80’s. As a high school student in the 1980’s, confession was taught to our youth group like “oh, that’s old church, we don’t do that anymore”, and while our pastor scheduled confessions in those days for about 30 minutes before the Saturday evening Mass, I don’t recall anyone going to confession, and heard very little preaching on the Sacrament in those days. (How do I know this? my brother and I were regular altar boys for the Saturday evening Mass, and had to show up early - oftentimes, the pastor would be smoking a cigarette in the sacristy when we arrived - no joke.) That was one reason I didn’t receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation for at least 13 years.

Feel free to contribute, but no jabs, rants, or put-downs please.

 

[GoGoDiego]

Fellow Catholics:

1. I do find that some Catholics (some, not all) end up taking too much time in the confessional, particularly when there are long lines. I do know some priests ask the penitent to make their confession brief (i.e. do their examination of conscience beforehand), and if they want to discuss further, an appointment can be made with the priest at a later time (I’ve even seen a few parishes issue guidelines on this outside the confessional). I just wanted to ask a few of you to share your thoughts on this.

The only time the confessional has long lines here is Holy Week, particularly the Triduum, and sometimes the last 5-8 days leading up to Christmas. I have never heard the priest telling me to shorten it since they are quite diligent when it comes to that. And since I confess monthly, I just set an appointment with the Spiritual Director or the School Director.

1. A few times, when there are long lines, the priest has absolved me from my sins but then asks that I do my Act of Contrition outside the confessional, in order to help expedite the line. Is this a common practice? Is this still a valid confession? Personally, I don’t mind doing this since it helps others with the Sacrament of Penance.

I do not know about this, but it may be a good thing to do. After all, you are confessing your sins to Christ

1. About a year ago, I was one of the last ones in line before the Saturday evening Mass. The priest asked me when I was done with my confession, how many were left. I advised him there was a young girl about 8 years old that was behind me. I did that because I wanted to give the priest a moment to prepare, since he had a child coming. Was this good practice? I thought it was, since some children are nervous about going.

Yes. Since some children still need help confessing their sins

1. I also advise people not to be afraid to go to the Sacrament of Penance. I try to go at least once a month. Don’t be afraid about confessing sins - priests have heard it all, and they cannot break the seal. Many don’t even remember afterwards what they heard. It’s been said that if every Catholic in the pew attended confession regularly, psychologists would be out of business. Thoughts?

Psychologists can help you with a mental condition and vice. They can help your mental health, but not your spiritual health.

 

[CatholicZ09]

Fellow Catholics:

Here’s a good question that often comes up concerning the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

Today, there are oftentimes long lines for the Sacrament, with only two priests. While I am glad to see that within the past 10-15 years, many Catholics have taken more interest (and been more faithful) in receiving the Sacrament, and I am glad to see that more **good **priests are bringing it up in their homilies and in their church bulletins, and more **good **priests are offering additional times to receive this Sacrament.

However, I do want to ask a few things:

1. I do find that some Catholics (some, not all) end up taking too much time in the confessional, particularly when there are long lines. I do know some priests ask the penitent to make their confession brief (i.e. do their examination of conscience beforehand), and if they want to discuss further, an appointment can be made with the priest at a later time (I’ve even seen a few parishes issue guidelines on this outside the confessional). I just wanted to ask a few of you to share your thoughts on this.

I think this is a matter of common courtesy. Whenever I go to confession, I try to have everything planned beforehand because I don’t want to waste the priest’s valuable time. I never usually have a problem with lines, except for Holy Week and the last week of Advent and the days leading up to Christmas.

1. A few times, when there are long lines, the priest has absolved me from my sins but then asks that I do my Act of Contrition outside the confessional, in order to help expedite the line. Is this a common practice? Is this still a valid confession? Personally, I don’t mind doing this since it helps others with the Sacrament of Penance.

I don’t really see this as an abuse of sorts. I think this may have happened to me, too, but I can’t really remember.

1. About a year ago, I was one of the last ones in line before the Saturday evening Mass. The priest asked me when I was done with my confession, how many were left. I advised him there was a young girl about 8 years old that was behind me. I did that because I wanted to give the priest a moment to prepare, since he had a child coming. Was this good practice? I thought it was, since some children are nervous about going.

I don’t see anything wrong with this since he asked you how many people were left in line.

I like to hear that the sacrament of confession is being “advertised” in your parish. Oftentimes, it is ignored, which is a very bad thing. We need more confession in our lives - myself included. I oftentimes feel so much better after a good confession.

 

[anonymous1995]

I like to hear that the sacrament of confession is being “advertised” in your parish. Oftentimes, it is ignored, which is a very bad thing. We need more confession in our lives - myself included. I oftentimes feel so much better after a good confession.

This makes me think of this article by Father Z. Very ironic.

There are 10+ people queuing up for Confession every Sunday for the 11 am Mass - the one most people attend. The line is not very long and our priests absolve efficiently.

 

[Elizium23]

Please stop replying inside

tags, it makes your post hard to quote, hard to reply and even hard to read. I typically just skip reading your post if it is nothing but quoted text.

 

[MissRose73]

Most of the time, the lines are not long at all at my parish for Saturday afternoon confessions that start around 4pm and end around 4:45 pm (as Mass is at 5pm). I’ve gone to parishes with Saturday morning times, sometimes there are 10 to 12 people already in line each for the 2 confessionals. I’ve gone to EF Masses, and the lines have gotten to 20 people or so, but the priest doing the EF form tends to get most if not all those in line as he usually starts about 45 minutes before Mass starts & devotes about 30 to 40 minutes to confessions.

I make sure to be prepared, and as someone who is reasonably tech savvy, I have my iConfess app on my silenced mobile phone ready to go to help me along and not drag out the process.

 

[teeboy]

As far as psychologists are concerned… The Cathechism states to the effect that the sacrament of Penance brings peace to the one who properly confessed. ccc1468

I doubt many psychologists can bring inner peace unless that psychologist has the peace of Christ him or herself. This is the peace of Christ which we assert at mass “Lord I am not worthy for you to enter under my roof”. This is the same peace that we can bring to others regardless of our occupation.

 

[Phemie]

We have confessions from 1-2 p.m. every Saturday. On only one occasion have I seen another penitent in the church, so a long confession is not a problem.

I find it disconcerting, though, to go to scheduled confession and find Fr. sitting in the first pew in the front, praying a rosary, rather than sitting in the confessional. The last time I went he was oblivious to my presence in the church and because he seemed to be in some kind of distress I approached him to see if he was OK. That’s when I realized he was praying the rosary so I went to sit closer to the confessional and used the time to do another examination of conscience.

Eventually I had to go tap him on the shoulder and tell him that I wanted to go to confession. Once you’ve had to do that any pretense of anonymity is gone and you may as well opt for face-to-face confession rather than kneeling behind the grille, which is my preference.

I have to say that I haven’t been asked to say an act of contrition in the confessional since the late 80s. I usually say one before I go in and before I start my penance.

 

[InThePew]

I find it disconcerting, though, to go to scheduled confession and find Fr. sitting in the first pew in the front, praying a rosary, rather than sitting in the confessional. The last time I went he was oblivious to my presence in the church and because he seemed to be in some kind of distress I approached him to see if he was OK. That’s when I realized he was praying the rosary so I went to sit closer to the confessional and used the time to do another examination of conscience.

Eventually I had to go tap him on the shoulder and tell him that I wanted to go to confession. Once you’ve had to do that any pretense of anonymity is gone and you may as well opt for face-to-face confession rather than kneeling behind the grille, which is my preference.

I can certainly relate to that experience - I’ve asked a priest to hear my confession then he goes in one side of the confessional and I go in the other wondering what the point of the screen is! Sadly, screened confessionals are rare where I live although our cathedral does regularly get long lines of penitents waiting to have their confessions heard before the lunchtime mass on weekdays. Most other places schedule confessions either after the Saturday morning mass or during the day once a week so I often have to take matters into my own hands and phone up to ask for an appointment (which tends to be something along the lines of 15 minutes from the time I’m calling).

Yes some people take ages and I find myself wondering just how much they could possibly have to confess! even priests I know tell me that there are times when they’re tempted to say “just get on with it will you”. That said, it’s obviously far better that they are there than not regardless of how long they take. Moreover, lines of people waiting to have their souls deep cleaned can never be a bad thing!

IMHO though what is needed is more priests talking about the sacrament - not how to confess but why. Too often I think people don’t go because they don’t really understand it and so are in need of halfway decent catechesis. That said, there’s no point in such catechesis if the sacrament isn’t made available for people at convenient times and they’re not encouraged to avail themselves of it.

 

[baliano]

Here is the problem, in my opinion:
Parish of 1,500 families/Confession from 3:15-4:00 every Saturday.

I realize priests are very busy but 45 minutes a week! It’s no wonder so few even try to get to confession.

 

[wbeckham78]

Ok, I know I’m ranting, but I honestly don’t understand what the thinking in behind making confession so difficult to get to. Over and over again, I hear religious and the faithful decrying the laity’s lack of employing the sacrament of confession. But then, try to get to a confessional. Inevitably, the hours are “4:45 to 5:15 PM”, on a Saturday afternoon. Or, they’re during working hours. And, without fail, the hours are limited to no more than 30 minutes. I do have one parish where the confession is 6 AM - and the line is always out the door! I salute the priests at that parish, but they’re being let down by their brothers. It’s easier to set up a wedding, a baptism, or even a funeral than to get to confession.

Grrr…