Saturday Confession- Has This Ever Happened to You?

[Jennifoo]

Hi there. So I often go to Confession on Saturdays without staying for the 4pm Mass due to other obligations. I do attend Mass on Sundays, of course. In the past several months, I’ve been both surprised and offended by the number of Catholics who, upon seeing me leave the church to walk back to my car, make a negative comment about my not staying for Mass. One woman said rather snidely " Don’t you think you’re going in the wrong direction?" And today a woman said “Not staying for Mass?” Again, these comments were said rather snidely.

Has this happened to you? If so, how do you handle it?

 

[misspriss]

No one has ever commented to me and I have gone to “before mass” confession, then attended Mass at another time (or another church! Not everyone offers Sunday confession). How strange for people to judge like that!

 

[babochka]

No, nobody has ever commented to me like that. You’re sure they weren’t joking? I might jokingly make a “going in the wrong direction” comment to someone, but never seriously and certainly not to a stranger.

 

[Kielbasi]

One woman said rather snidely " Don’t you think you’re going in the wrong direction?" And today a woman said “Not staying for Mass?” Again, these comments were said rather snidely.

Has this happened to you? If so, how do you handle it?

Some people are ignorant, what can you say?

For all these people know, you could have been in the church to repair a light switch or a drain pipe, or were the priest’s cousin, lawyer or financial adviser visiting for personal or professional reasons.

Don’t let it bother you

 

[AnimaQuaerenti]

With comments like that, I sure hope they’re in line for confession and aren’t already out. It’d be a shame for it to only stick for a couple minutes.

 

[Reuben_J]

Hi there. So I often go to Confession on Saturdays without staying for the 4pm Mass due to other obligations. I do attend Mass on Sundays, of course. In the past several months, I’ve been both surprised and offended by the number of Catholics who, upon seeing me leave the church to walk back to my car, make a negative comment about my not staying for Mass. One woman said rather snidely " Don’t you think you’re going in the wrong direction?" And today a woman said “Not staying for Mass?” Again, these comments were said rather snidely.

Has this happened to you? If so, how do you handle it?

Yes, it did. TBH quite a regular thing. We (my family and I) are Sunday mass goers more due to the fact that we were on duty but we often go for Confession on Saturday.

Those who asked were people I knew very well or those who knew me. They might be surprised thinking that I should attend the mass too but the others, it was just them saying hello or putting up a joke. No offend for me there.

 

[ChikaisHis]

Agree with the others, don’t let it bother you.
I go to confession on Saturdays a lot too; I feel less rushed than if I go on Sundays and it is just 15 minutes before Mass. No one has ever said anything to me about it, but if they did

 

[Gertabelle]

No one’s ever said that to me.

If someone did, and I were in a snarkier mood – especially if they seemed offended by my walking to my car – I’d probably say something like, “Just been to confession! They offer it every week, you should try it next Saturday!”

And then I’d have to turn around and get back in line.

“Bless me, Father, for I have sinned. It’s been 10 minutes since my last confession…”

 

[Horton]

I’ve never had that happen and I go to confession Saturday and to Mass on Sunday. I’ve seen many people leave after confession and have never really thought anything of it. I don’t know how I would react to a comment like that. Probably say something to effect of I’ll be here tomorrow.

 

[randirhoades]

No one’s ever said that to me.

If someone did, and I were in a snarkier mood – especially if they seemed offended by my walking to my car – I’d probably say something like, “Just been to confession! They offer it every week, you should try it next Saturday!”

And then I’d have to turn around and get back in line.

“Bless me, Father, for I have sinned. It’s been 10 minutes since my last confession…”

“And then I’d have to turn around get back in line”. etc…

 

[Don_Ruggero]

I am not surprised. It shows the horrific judgementalness of some people.

Speak to most any priest…he will have encountered such people – and worse – in the parish, I can quite personally assure you.

 

[Convert_in_99]

Hi there. So I often go to Confession on Saturdays without staying for the 4pm Mass due to other obligations. I do attend Mass on Sundays, of course. In the past several months, I’ve been both surprised and offended by the number of Catholics who, upon seeing me leave the church to walk back to my car, make a negative comment about my not staying for Mass. One woman said rather snidely " Don’t you think you’re going in the wrong direction?" And today a woman said “Not staying for Mass?” Again, these comments were said rather snidely.

Has this happened to you? If so, how do you handle it?

Really! That is very rude of them. Just tell them you prefer to attend mass on Sundays when possible. Vigils are nice but they were meant to be the exception and not the norm.

 

[LiamQ]

Has this happened to you? If so, how do you handle it?

Just ignore them.

Whether they are being snide or judgmental or sarcastic or whatever else, whatever they think is their own problem and not yours.

 

[Crusaderbear]

Just say “No, sorry you are too late for confession/reconciliation, it was wonderful! God Bless you.”

 

[Beryllos]

… And then I’d have to turn around and get back in line.

“Bless me, Father, for I have sinned. It’s been 10 minutes since my last confession…”

That, or something like it, might be a good skit.

 

[egretps]

Don’t say anything, seriously let their comments sit above them like a cartoon word bubble. Unless you want to say ‘Reconciliation was wonderful!’

Gertabelle’s response was wonderful too, and so was Don R’s. I love the CAF members.

Mostly offer up this nonsense of misunderstanding and unnecessary judgemental nonsense for the Holy Souls. They will also pray for you and are cheering for you!

 

[rymichael]

Hi there. So I often go to Confession on Saturdays without staying for the 4pm Mass due to other obligations. I do attend Mass on Sundays, of course. In the past several months, I’ve been both surprised and offended by the number of Catholics who, upon seeing me leave the church to walk back to my car, make a negative comment about my not staying for Mass. One woman said rather snidely " Don’t you think you’re going in the wrong direction?" And today a woman said “Not staying for Mass?” Again, these comments were said rather snidely.

Has this happened to you? If so, how do you handle it?

That’s weird. I don’t know why people would even say that if you were just going to confession. Just tell them plainly, “I was just going to confession, go to Mass on Sundays…” Who would even do that… so rude. But hey they are human. Pray for them.

 

[Rosebud77]

No one’s ever said that to me.

If someone did, and I were in a snarkier mood – especially if they seemed offended by my walking to my car – I’d probably say something like, “Just been to confession! They offer it every week, you should try it next Saturday!”

And then I’d have to turn around and get back in line.

“Bless me, Father, for I have sinned. It’s been 10 minutes since my last confession…”

roflol!

OP; ignore them. Maybe that they are very nervous re Confession? Do not tale it to heart. I have done this after praying in the cathedral half an hour before daily mass, Did it yesterday in fact and on the rare occasion anyone looks sideways, I just say I have an unavoidable appointment. Looking heavenwards as I say it …

 

[Gertabelle]

That, or something like it, might be a good skit.

Oh yes, that would be good!

Each person – or just one person – comes out of the confessional, encounters someone rude and overreacts, gets back in the confessional line…

Or maybe all of their difficult encounters occur WHILE they’re in line for confession…

Gotta think more about this one. Thanks.

 

[UpUpAndAway]

Sorry this happened to you, OP. No one should be subjected to this.

That’s weird. I don’t know why people would even say that if you were just going to confession. Just tell them plainly, “I was just going to confession, go to Mass on Sundays…” Who would even do that… so rude. But hey they are human. Pray for them.

I’m inclined to agree with this route. Yes, their behavior is obnoxious, presumptive, judgemental and upsetting. No, it’s none of their business whether you attend Mass on Saturday or Sunday. But if they knew that you’d be back the next day for Mass, perhaps it would forestall such commentary in the future and you wouldn’t have to deal with it again. This specific predicament has never happened to me, but I have put an end to similar situations countless time simply by being frank about them.

God bless!