Reconciliation

[Wrigley]

Hello,
Is there an anual requirement regarding confession. I was told that we should receive reconciliation at least once a year. Is this or is ther a requirement?

Thanks

 

[Della]

Wrigley:

Hello,
Is there an anual requirement regarding confession. I was told that we should receive reconciliation at least once a year. Is this or is ther a requirement?

Thanks

Yes, this is the requirement, which is why many parishes (mine included) have whole day confession, with several priests to choose from, near Christmas and Easter to hear the confessions of many who only go to confession before the major holidays of the Church.

 

[Wrigley]

Della:

Yes, this is the requirement, which is why many parishes (mine included) have whole day confession, with several priests to choose from, near Christmas and Easter to hear the confessions of many who only go to confession before the major holidays of the Church.

Thanks

 

[msproule]

Here is the relevant Canon from the Code of Canon Law:

Can. 989 After having reached the age of discretion, each member of the faithful is ob-liged to confess faithfully his or her grave sins at least once a year.

Do not fall into the trap that many do who think or hope that “communal penance services”, which are so prevalent, alone fulfill this obligation. One who attends such celebrations still must confess individually to a priest. Sometimes time for individual confessions is a part of the celebration itself, but not always. Many are misled by this.

 

[rwoehmke]

msproule:

Here is the relevant Canon from the Code of Canon Law:

Can. 989 After having reached the age of discretion, each member of the faithful is ob-liged to confess faithfully his or her grave sins at least once a year.

Do not fall into the trap that many do who think or hope that “communal penance services”, which are so prevalent, alone fulfill this obligation. One who attends such celebrations still must confess individually to a priest. Sometimes time for individual confessions is a part of the celebration itself, but not always. Many are misled by this.

Our Diocese has parishes that offer a Communal Penance service several times a year. Since about three years ago there are priests available to hear the confession of sins followed by a communal absolution for those who confessed. Before that we had Communal Services which assumed that seroius sin would be privately confessed as soon as possible. That situation was obviously out of line. It is the form of Communal Penance with general absolution without private confession that is not valid except in genuine emergency situations. So there exist 3 valid formats, but only two may be used in non-emergency situations.

 

[msproule]

Thanks for the added clarification, rwoehmke.

So, if I understand correctly, the priests hear the individual confessions but withhold the absolution until the point in the celebration when everybody is reassembled together? Or, is the communal absolution you wrote of redundant, for lack of a better word?

 

[acadian]

msproule:

Thanks for the added clarification, rwoehmke.

So, if I understand correctly, the priests hear the individual confessions but withhold the absolution until the point in the celebration when everybody is reassembled together? Or, is the communal absolution you wrote of redundant, for lack of a better word?

I went to one of these communal reconciliation services during Advent. The only things that were “communal” were an entrance song, a scripture reading, and an examination of conscience. Confessions were individual and absolution and penance were given in the confessional.

 

[mary_bobo]

Two parishes in my city are combining on a Wed. before Lent to hear confessions. There will be two priests from each church and then other priests in the area are coming also in order to serve more people. Reconciliation is usually from 5:00 - 5:30 every Sat. evening before Mass. But this is not a good time for many people and I, as many, am finding it difficult to go as often as I would like.

 

[irish1]

Our parish has communal reconciliation services during lent and advent. There are usually some readings, along with a communal examination of conscious and act of contrition. This is followed by the opportunity for individual confessions with one of the several priests present.