So few people going to Confession, why?

[Tis_Bearself]

Yes, from where I am sitting here I have 6-7 churches within a 10-15 minute drive too, except one of them is a Newman Center and is closed during school breaks. One would think there would be a little more variation in their Mass times but they all seem to have the same times, except the Newman Center which has the only afternoon Mass and very late Mass on Sunday.
It’s nice to have the option of so many churches near, though.

 

[HomeschoolDad]

I keep a list on Google Drive with dates and church names in case a priest ever asks me if I have been to Confession when I go to receive.

I have been a Catholic for over 40 years, and I have never heard of a priest asking a communicant if they have been to confession before they receive communion. Does this happen to you often?

 

[Tis_Bearself]

No, it’s not supposed to happen at all. But there was a story on here a couple years ago of a priest asking some people in line when their last confession was. Although many people said he was out of line, I try to be prepared since then, especially when I am not attending a regular OF Mass.

 

[HomeschoolDad]

No, it’s not supposed to happen at all. But there was a story on here a couple years ago of a priest asking some people in line when their last confession was. Although many people said he was out of line, I try to be prepared since then, especially when I am not attending a regular OF Mass.

Looking at it from one point of view, I probably don’t have a problem with it. I’ve just never heard of it before. I can think of two or three more questions that might be asked, but lest I throw gasoline on this thread, I’ll keep those to myself.

I have heard that at Orthodox churches, if the priest doesn’t know the communicant, he will say “are you Orthodox?” and “who’s your bishop?”. I can kind of see the point of that too.

 

[LisaB]

I’ve always wondered, if you have confession by appointment, how does anonymity work?

 

[thistle]

I’ve always wondered, if you have confession by appointment, how does anonymity work?

Obviously it doesn’t. If you make an appointment to see the priest he knows who he is meeting.
What is wrong with that. I mainly just use the Confessional which is anonymous but on odd occasions I make an appointment to see the priest.
I’m just as comfortable confessing face to face with the priest.

 

[LisaB]

Well, if confession is offered rarely and mainly by appointment as I’ve read on here is the case in some parishes, people who aren’t comfortable going face to face are discouraged from going, and likely won’t make an appointment to confess venial sins which is such a good practice. Maybe not even for mortal sins if they are not well informed about the importance of confession.

 

[thistle]

Well, if confession is offered rarely and mainly by appointment as I’ve read on here is the case in some parishes, people who aren’t comfortable going face to face are discouraged from going, and likely won’t make an appointment to confess venial sins which is such a good practice. Maybe not even for mortal sins if they are not well informed about the importance of confession.

I would rather be uncomfortable and confess and be absolved than remain in mortal sin and maybe die before getting to Confession.

 

[LisaB]

Yes, that’s because you are well catechized. Many people are not, and if they are already uneasy about going to confession, having to make an appointment won’t exactly encourage them.

Anyway, I just wanted to know how logistically appointments would work. Wasn’t sure if the priest meets you in the confessional or what.

 

[Nicky777]

Pray for priests and clergy. The parishioners are obviously not getting the right messages about their spiritual lives. The Sacrament of penance is paramount when it comes to receiving the Eucharist. We all must seek to be in a state of Grace when receiving our Lord so that we may be open to receive the infinitely abundant gifts which He wants to give us so we can better serve Him and His creation. Remember, we are saved through His Holy Grace.

 

[Nicky777]

What you are hearing is the whisperings of satan in your mind. Do your best to resist these temptations and just go. The graces you’ll receive will be enough to keep you from this sacrament and open your heart and mind to the way God see you so you can better prepare yourself the next time you receive this glorious Sacrament. Penance is absolutely vital for our salvation and increases our relationship with our God and prepares us to receive the Eucharist worthily so He may pur out His gifts on us if we ask for them. Do not fear, just run to God.

 

[Margaret_Ann]

10 Masses on Sundays?!? WOW. Are you in a cathedral parish?

 

[Shasta-Rose]

I go when they have extra priests during Lent and Advent. The rest of the year, we have two half-hour Reconciliation times per week. And this is a very big church with at least 100 times more people than could be accommodated in two half-hours. I think many congregants hesitate to take up the scarce and valuable time that somebody else might need a lot more. Just a speculation.

 

[Tis_Bearself]

They should not hesitate. We all need confession. If I’ve somehow managed to avoid mortal sin for 3 weeks, that’s partly because the frequent confession is giving me strength and grace. I rarely spend more than 3 to 5 minutes in the confessional so there’s plenty left for the other 10 people in my line.

 

[JanR]

I believe there are reasons why we have dreams like that. Somebody is trying to tell us something.

 

[Wm777]

My parish offers confessions daily and I’m rarely lacking for work in the confessional.

Yep, Christ knew what business to go into!

The solution to people not going to confession is simply to offer more confession. Saturate the environment so there’s no excuse.

Just out of curiosity - aside from experience - can you reference any statistical studies to back up your conclusions, if any have even been done?

With absolutely all due respect intended - I have a sort of theory (it’s still incomplete) that seems to support what you are saying -although it works differently; as it depends upon the order and priority in which the sacraments are introduced and provided.

It may seem presumptuous of me, as I am not pastorally trained - and I do not particularly have a great bedside manner, but… I tend to think more emphasis is being placed on the reception of communion than on confession; and, in fact, some Priests I have met seem to feel unqualified in offering the sacrament of confession, when psychology issues become a concern, or they just dont think the sacrament of confession is all that necessary or so much in demand.

Many people just seem to go to communion without really thinking about whether or not they are worthy of it; and, yet, if they think they are unworthy of it, then they may find it difficult to get answers or help to be set in the proper graces to receive it. I for one will say - when I really stopped to consider this problem - I can probably only receive communion now about 25% of the time I go to mass. It is a heartbreaking reality for me individually, as I honestly don’t know what else to do - other than just “behave”, which gets me into a whole other set of problems.

It seems like in the post-V2 era - so much emphasis was placed on mercy, love and forgiveness - people adopt an “it’s all good” attitude with respect to the reception of communion. I can even justify this opinion by saying, if we mortally sin before church. and we can’t get to confession - then we would be going to Hell anyway, if we died along the way, so why not just go to communion?

 

[Wm777]

However, along those same lines, if you think about it psychologically, it’s a confused and devaluing approach to communion to downplay the importance of a prior confession. Psychologically, it’s very true we want to emphasize Christ’s mercy and goodwill in our lives, but it doesn’t mean people can just behave any way they want. By providing communion “as is” to a corrupt soul, it seems to fortify a corrupt soul; or, in other words, it doesnt make much of a difference - the person will just keep repeating the same bad behavior, even feeling justified in so doing.

On the other hand, if Parishioners can’t get to communion without being properly confessed, then it’s different for both Priest and Parishioner. For the Priests, they have to realize Parishioners need them to be confessed, so the Priests have to “be there” appropriately providing the sacrament of confession in the same amount as communion. The person has to really examen their faults, confess to them, and do something right in light of an accountability partner (the Priest’s penance conferred); and, then, the soul can be strengthened by the graces of communion.

Please note, I hate a lot of psychology, so I wouldn’t argue from a psychological standpoint, if I didn’t think it spiritually helpful. But, then, a lot of psychology is just plain bogus anyway.

My point seems to be - when Priests and Parishioners claim Christ’s mercy is infinite and unbounded - they are right; we could never wholly live up the the values in the CCC, and Catholic “guilt” stinks. So, yes, we should definitely promote Christ’s mercy all we can 100%, as we are called to do.

But, then, how are we to learn, if we can’t identify when we are wrong?

And, if we are but Parishioners, how are we to convince our Pastoral and Liturgical Planners the old ways actually work sometimes…?

When I think of this problem, I look at it on the broadest level, btw… I’ve never committed anything like some moderns Priests have, but I dare say - if Seminarians were taught “any love is good love” without being taught how to administer appropriate penances, then what could come of it?

 

[edward_george1]

With absolutely all due respect intended - I have a sort of theory (it’s still incomplete) that seems to support what you are saying -although it works differently; as it depends upon the order and priority in which the sacraments are introduced and provided.

I don’t think it’s that complicated. If you offer confessions, people will go to confession.

As to the rest of what you’re saying, I certainly don’t think like that and I don’t know a lot of priests who do. We talk about mercy in its proper context. We don’t believe “any love is good love.” Your mileage may vary, but none of that is really representative of my experience.

 

[Wm777]

I don’t think it’s that complicated. If you offer confessions, people will go to confession.

I dont understand why more confession isn’t being offered…

The problem is signifcant on many levels.

As to the rest of what you’re saying, I certainly don’t think like that and I don’t know a lot of priests who do.

http://app.bishop-accountability.org/member/psearch.jsp?op=assignments

There’s quite a number of them listed here…

My intention wasn’t (and isn’t) to contradict you, and you sound like a good Priest, and I think your intention is correct; so I do not wish to come across as hitting you with friendly fire.

It’s often the case that good people will - because they are good - see the good in what they do. That is great. It’s something we need.

But I’ve also encountered Priests, (Arch)Bishops and even Cardinals, who say one thing and then allow something the opposite to happen. And, of course, these people are going to marginalize the significance of any problems within their community, especially something like confession.

Given your response, I don’t think you understand what I am saying, which is common… so I am okay with it, as I do think you sound like a good person… but I wont continue the dialogue in this thread any further, as I do not wish to sustain a disagreement on a matter which we actually and probably both agree upon.

 

[edward_george1]

For me the key is that I can only do what’s in front of me. I can only care for the people entrusted to me. If people elsewhere are being idiots, that’s on them.

I think I understand you just fine. I just don’t happen to get worked up about what’s outside my control. Regardless of how awful things get, my job remains the same. I’ll preach and pray and hear confessions and say Mass. All I can do is what’s in front of me. Which is all any of us can do.