RECONCILIATION

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Yes, the lines were longer and the usually stayed as long as it took. The other thing though is you did not see everyone go to communion every week. Thats what troubles me most about the lack of time for people to go to confession and yet almost everyone receives every week.

It is hard for me to believe that we sinned more then and less now but because we hear so little about sin and what constitutes grave (then called mortal) sin I think a lot of people really think they do not have to go to confession. Or maybe they interpret primacy of conscience as being able to do whatever they please and rationalizing it as okay regardless of what the Church teaches.
 
At our parish, Confession is for an hour, once a week, on Wednesday evenings. Father is more than happy to stay longer if there are still people in line, but if there is no one still there 45 minutes into the hour, he will leave early. The bulletin advertises a second time after Mass on Saturday morning but it really isn’t then. He will also hear confession at any time by appointment. He speaks regularly during homilies on the need for regular Confession. Unfortunately, his predecessor (thankfully, before my time) never had Confession times. He wouldn’t hear Confession by appointment either. He would hold Pennance services a few times a year (without individual Confession). Many of the parrishoners really loved the prior pastor and feel that if he didn’t think that individual Confession was necessary, then they don’t need to go. About 1/2 our parish is Hispanic and more Hispanic parishoners go to Confession than us “Anglos”, probably because they mostly come to the parish after the new priest came since he is bilingual and offers Mass (and Confession) in Spanish while his predecessor didn’t speak Spanish at all.

Since Wednesday night is not alway easy to get to, I have been to other nearby churches as well. At one, they just built a new church and instead of the traditional confessionals, built glass ones. In the old building, there was always a long line (two priests hearing simultaneuosly) and after an hour, both priests left and many people were told to come back next week. With the new glass confessionals, they no longer have that problem. There is usually only a few people in line on any given Saturday. 😦

I am spending a few months in Venezuela and the Church here has Confession for an hour before every Mass - Sunday and weekdays. Unfortunately, I don’t speak Spanish well enough yet.
 
We have Confessions for an hour before the Saturday vigil Mass, for an hour and a half on the eve of First Friday, and for an hour on one or two Mondays as part of the Miraculous Medal devotions. The same people are seen in line week after week, with an increase during Advent and Lent. Sadly, there are very few children in line.

Betsy
 
It seems to me, a lot of Catholics do not believe in Reconciliation anymore and this could be the reason the priests cut down on the hours. What we have to do, is teach people how important this sacrament is and I would say this is definetly the job of the priest to convey this to the parishoners. In years past I know that I felt the same way, and probably more out of shame than belief. Now I am more dedicated to my faith and believe this sacrament should be practiced often.

:blessyou:
 
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Joanne_ca:
It seems to me, a lot of Catholics do not believe in Reconciliation anymore and this could be the reason the priests cut down on the hours.:blessyou:
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I hope that’s not the logic. That would be like saying because a lot of people don’t believe in the Real Presence, the priest would quit consecrating the Eucharist.

But the law of supply and demand may play a part and so may the shortage of priests although the priests certainly have enough lay persons to do lots of their ordinary duties that they used to do to allow a little more time for confessions in my opinion.
 
Melman:
An hour a day? a week? Surely not an hour per person?

Our parish has it 3 times a week - half an hour on Sat. and starting an hour before evening mass on Tues. and Thurs. I really wish they provided it on Sunday but the layout of the church doesn’t seem to permit it.
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Why not? I went to confession early (9:00) yesterday morning and was the third person in line. It took me almost 2 hours to get in and confess my sins. When I finished it was almost time for Noon Mass.

My calculations? Each of us took almost an hour (oh, and the woman in front of me and I both go to confession at least twice a week). This particular priest likes to go over things like our prayer lives, and how we can grow spiritually. That’s why I chose him for my confessor.

How often do we have confession in my parish? 8:30 - 4:00 Monday - Friday, 30 minutes before each Mass, every day, including Saturdays and Sundays. All a person has to do is go in and ask if there is a priest who would hear his confession.

Would I like to see if offered more? Of course - 24 hours/day 7 days/week 😃 .

John
 
I go to a really HUGE church (5000 families…I don’t think that number includes singles).

There are 3 weekday masses, 1 Saturday evening mass, and 5 Sunday Masses. Confession is for about an hour or hour and a half before Saturday Mass or by appointment.

AND…after every weekday mass, for as long as needed. ANd by appointment.
 
I think that out in the country we are more shortchanged than in the city.

My parish offers confession twice on Saturday. There are 6,000 members of my parish. There are three masses on saturday and Five on Sunday.

I have a theory: a parish’s orthodoxy is related to the amount of time confession is offered. The more confession time offered, the more orthodox.
 
LOL - you know if I am visiting somewhere and I look up all the parishes in the phone book, or on the internet, I usually go for the one that offers the most confession time for that same reason
 
you are begging me to say it so I will - It usually lets me know which N.O. Church of all the Churches listed that have licit Masses are the most orthodox. If there is a licit TLM Mass, I will choose that. And…I have not noticed the SSPX offer confession any more frequently than do FFSP parishes:p
 
<<<I have a theory: a parish’s orthodoxy is related to the amount of time confession is offered. The more confession time offered, the more orthodox.>>>

A very good theory, indeed. Never thought of it in just this way, but I think you may be right on…
 
Catholic Eagle:
So that must mean that the SSPX is the most orthodox!!!
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Uh no. It means St. Peter’s in the Loop (a NO parish) is the most orthodox 🙂 50+ hours of confession a week!
 
My parish offers confession every day after 5:30 pm Mass, Mon - Fri. Saturdays it’s 3:24 - 4:15 and Sundays it’s 4:00pm to 4:45pm before 5:00 Mass.

I feel very fortunate to have such access to this special Sacrament.

St. Theresa - Sugar Land, TX
 
I go to a couple of parishes where they have it a bit differnet. The first one has confession Sat 3-4 and by appnt. with 2 priests confessing.
The other has it thur from 6:30-7:30 pm and Sat 3-4 and by appnt. I know its just one priest thurs but i think its 2 on sat. And in the past yr since if started to go more regularly there seems to be more and more people confessing so the preists stay longer.👍

And please don’t nag at priests for leaving early if no one is going to confession, they can only do so much to preach the truth. We gotta teach our friends and family as well! Our priests also have to convey 5 other sacraments, look over finances, cathechise(sp?), Give mass, begin adoration, etc. They are very busy and need our prayers our help and support. For a good priest I think requires a zeal for Christ and a flock who supports him in his mission. :amen:

Based on what I understand about a previous Post, no harm meant.
regarding going over the sins in detail, yes its good to go over them but isn’t it better if the Priest helps you find ways to prevent them, gives you the penance needed to repair your relationship with God, work towards a better prayer life rooted in the sacraments rather than dwelling on sins that are forgiven and are forgotten by God?

Peace and God Bless friends and keep going to and teaching about this most wonderful Sacrament!
 
You are fortunate, indeed. I find the half hour a week before the Sat. Vigil Mass our parish has to be a disgrace…We have over three-thousand FAMILIES. Our priests never mention this sacrament in their homilies…It is not stressed in any way…No wonder no one comes!
 
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