Turned away from the Confessional; Lack of time

[CarmeliteGirl25]

This past Saturday, I went to Confession because of a mortal sin that I had committed that had been bugging me very much. I stood in the LONG line and found that there was only one priest available instead of the regular two. I think one got called away for a sick visit (which is very necessary, I know). Anyway, about 3 min. before Mass, the priest came out and had to turn the rest of us away. I was not able to receive the Eucharist at Mass that weekend and was very upset (although I know it was my fault that I had committed the sin in the first place). I still went to Sunday Mass but did not receive the Eucharist. I ended up finding a Church that did daily Confession and received the Eucharist at the Mass right after, on Monday.

This is not the first time this has happened, although, the situation was a little different. There were two priests available, but there were so many people there that they had to turn people away. I know it’s got to be hard to do this, especially when you, as a priest, realize that people in line may have mortal sins on their consciences.

My question is, is it not allowed for priests to continue Confession during Mass? I wasn’t going to the Mass that was occurring right after Confession. I was going the next day. I understand that they need to move away from the vestibule, but we have a room in the sacristy that has been used as a temporary Confessional. I just wanted to know if it was possible. Thanks!

 

[OraProNobisIHM]

This past Saturday, I went to Confession because of a mortal sin that I had committed that had been bugging me very much. I stood in the LONG line and found that there was only one priest available instead of the regular two. I think one got called away for a sick visit (which is very necessary, I know). Anyway, about 3 min. before Mass, the priest came out and had to turn the rest of us away. I was not able to receive the Eucharist at Mass that weekend and was very upset (although I know it was my fault that I had committed the sin in the first place). I still went to Sunday Mass but did not receive the Eucharist. I ended up finding a Church that did daily Confession and received the Eucharist at the Mass right after, on Monday.

This is not the first time this has happened, although, the situation was a little different. There were two priests available, but there were so many people there that they had to turn people away. I know it’s got to be hard to do this, especially when you, as a priest, realize that people in line may have mortal sins on their consciences.

My question is, is it not allowed for priests to continue Confession during Mass? I wasn’t going to the Mass that was occurring right after Confession. I was going the next day. I understand that they need to move away from the vestibule, but we have a room in the sacristy that has been used as a temporary Confessional. I just wanted to know if it was possible. Thanks!

It is allowed to continue Confession during Mass. I have seem many traditional priests do it. In addition, on the Paris-Chartres pilgrimage the FSSP and other orders make, the priests continue hearing Confession, up until the Distribution of the Eucharist (this is the case I’ve always seen - so the Confessor-priest can help distribute).

So, yeah, if the number of priests is acceptable, they can continue to hear confession while Mass is running.

Sorry, I don’t have documented evidence, but it’s done by traditional priests (diocesan and FSSP/etc), so I trust it’s good.

 

[Timothysis]

While it is unfortunate, we must keep in mind that a priest has to prepare for Mass and “3 minutes before” is not much time for him to prepare.

Also, while it may be permissible, I don’t care for the practice of hearing confessions during Mass. One is supposed to participate in the Mass, not just be there.

 

[Sr_Sally]

So glad you were able to find another place to confess very quickly afterward. And also glad to hear that the lines are long at your parish.

That said, I don’t think it is very respectful for people to be shuffling along in a confessional line while Mass is occurring. If confession can happen in a different area–rectory, separate chapel, etc that would be more appropriate in my opinion.

I think it behooves each of us to know the Mass schedules and confession schedules of nearby parishes. Or at least be able to find out quickly. You did the right thing in finding another place to have confession. You could have also asked the priest after Mass if they would hear your confession so that you could have received that Sunday.

 

[bilop]

It is unfortunate when some people don’t get to confess, but if there is only one priest, and he must say Mass, it is unavoidable.

I am very much in favor of having confession directly before Mass and continue into Mass, if additional priests are available. It is very traditional, and I do see it at place where the TLM is celebrated.

I think many, many more people would go to confession if it was available before during Mass. It also gives the celebrant a great chance for catechesis. “Hey, there are two priests available for confession. Don’t receive if you have unconfessed mortal sins such as… You cantake care of it RIGHT NOW.”

Quite frankly, I believe confession of mortal sin, and not receiving unworthily, is MUCH MORE IMPORTANT than paying perfect attention during Mass.

If it were a daily Mass and not a Sunday Mass or Day of Obligation, I would prefer the priest delay Mass to hear all the confessions. No one is going to hell b/c they missed daily Mass. But failure to confess…

God Bless

 

[Timothysis]

If it were a daily Mass and not a Sunday Mass or Day of Obligation, I would prefer the priest delay Mass to hear all the confessions. No one is going to hell b/c they missed daily Mass. But failure to confess…

God Bless

Don’t you think that would be very disrespectful to all of those who show up for a noon Mass during their lunch hour? Believe it or not, many downtown churches have large attendance at noon during the week. I don’t think it would be very courteous for these people to be put on hold just so others can go to confession. If one needs to confess it is their duty to know the times and the places for confession. A whole group of people shouldn’t have to bend over backwards for the sake of one or a few.

 

[adstrinity]

Let me guess, this is a parish that celebrates exclusively in the Ordinary Form…and probably doesn’t start hearing confessions until 30 minutes before Mass and continues until 10 minutes before (at least that is what is in the bulletin). sigh Why don’t they start earlier? Especially if it’s one priest?

Which brings me to my next point, was this same priest hearing confessions also the one celebrating? If he was, then, it was understandable. If another priest was celebrating the Mass, then, it would have been permissible for that priest to stay and listen to confessions.

There was typically, TYPICALLY, one priest at St. John Cantius (Chicago) who was always hearing confessions. He would stay in the confessional during Mass and after, until the Mass of the Faithful during the 1230 Mass. There are 6 confessionals at that Church, I have seen the majority of them in use. There was always a line…as has been the case at nearly every Catholic Church to which I have been. It’s just a shame in the fairly faithful OF Parishes, they DO turn people away.

At one Latin Mass here in OK, there is only one priest, hearing confessions and celebrating (at least there was when I went there). He was very good and I think people got there early enough to get through them all.

At the Parish I belong to, there are two priests (though, I have been told that that is a fairly new thing). The one NOT celbrating stays until almost the Homily (that priest does the readings in English and gives the Homily), and comes back during or right after the Creed.

…I think St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York (across from NBC) also has confessions throughout the Mass…

 

[EasterJoy]

Let me guess, this is a parish that celebrates exclusively in the Ordinary Form…and probably doesn’t start hearing confessions until 30 minutes before Mass and continues until 10 minutes before (at least that is what is in the bulletin). sigh Why don’t they start earlier? Especially if it’s one priest?

I don’t think you should guess so fast.

In our parish, which has one priest, the confessions are heard for an hour and fifteen minutes, if necessary, and sometimes the pastor still has to invite the remaining penitents in line to come back after he has celebrated the Vigil Mass, if they are left waiting when he has to finish up. Other weeks, he is able to finish well within an hour, especially outside of Advent and Lent. It just depends. He’s not the only pastor I know who is in this position. Continuing confessions through Mass just is not an option. They have the fair expectation that people in urgent need of confession will make getting to confession extra early a high priority, although they do what they can for those who are not so careful.

Since this has happened to you, OP, you need to take the possibility into account when you schedule yourself to go to confession. Both get there early enough to be one of the first ones in line when your need for confession is urgent and keep your schedule open to go at whatever the next available time is, in case you are held up on the way or your reckoning is incorrect. If you want the priest to commit to extra time, after all, you have to be willing to find that extra time in your own schedule. A lack of foresight on your part should not be turned into an emergency on his part.

It is also worthwhile to scout the nearby parishes for those with mid-week confession times. It is like knowing which hospitals have emergency departments, you know? After all, when you have a mortal sin on your conscience, whether or not you can receive Holy Communion on the following Sunday is really not your greatest concern. Whether you will live long enough to confess is. Don’t presume…do your best to get to confession right away.

Making the need to confess ASAP a top scheduling priority also has the advantage of adding to the odious nature of mortal sin, of course. We have to admit, we are funny creatures. We can ignore the possibility of damnation, but we can’t stand the idea of having to change the next day’s whole schedule in order to accomodate an urgent confession, or the idea of having to go to a confessor we don’t like because he can hear our confession the soonest!

If you find out the scheduled confession times of every single place within driving distance, and change your schedule to confess when the need is urgent, regardless of whether you happen to like the particular confessor that you have to go to, it may help you to resist mortal sin. Hey, whatever it takes to keep away from serious sin. There is no such thing as a bad source of grace! Leave no stone unturned, then.

 

[Provigil]

This past Saturday, I went to Confession because of a mortal sin that I had committed that had been bugging me very much. I stood in the LONG line and found that there was only one priest available instead of the regular two. I think one got called away for a sick visit (which is very necessary, I know). Anyway, about 3 min. before Mass, the priest came out and had to turn the rest of us away. I was not able to receive the Eucharist at Mass that weekend and was very upset (although I know it was my fault that I had committed the sin in the first place). I still went to Sunday Mass but did not receive the Eucharist. I ended up finding a Church that did daily Confession and received the Eucharist at the Mass right after, on Monday.

This is not the first time this has happened, although, the situation was a little different. There were two priests available, but there were so many people there that they had to turn people away. I know it’s got to be hard to do this, especially when you, as a priest, realize that people in line may have mortal sins on their consciences.
My question is, is it not allowed for priests to continue Confession during Mass? I wasn’t going to the Mass that was occurring right after Confession. I was going the next day. I understand that they need to move away from the vestibule, but we have a room in the sacristy that has been used as a temporary Confessional. I just wanted to know if it was possible. Thanks!

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

It is forbidden to hear confessions during mass. These are two different sacraments and you can’t confess while mass is going on. Besides, it would very distractful people coming in and of the confessional during mass. This is a Sacrament by itsef and that is why it is usually helof= on Saturday’s. You still could have gone to mass and made a SPIRITIUAL COMMUNION.
PROVIGIL, PhD

 

[bilop]

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

It is forbidden to hear confessions during mass. These are two different sacraments and you can’t confess while mass is going on. Besides, it would very distractful people coming in and of the confessional during mass. This is a Sacrament by itsef and that is why it is usually helof= on Saturday’s. You still could have gone to mass and made a SPIRITIUAL COMMUNION.
PROVIGIL, PhD

Pardon? I have never seen anything that would suggest it was forbidden.

Please provide some evidence if you wish to make that sort of claim.

God Bless

 

[bilop]

Don’t you think that would be very disrespectful to all of those who show up for a noon Mass during their lunch hour? Believe it or not, many downtown churches have large attendance at noon during the week. I don’t think it would be very courteous for these people to be put on hold just so others can go to confession. If one needs to confess it is their duty to know the times and the places for confession. A whole group of people shouldn’t have to bend over backwards for the sake of one or a few.

Perhaps. But I’d rather have 1000 people inconvenienced than one person go to hell.

What if someone is in that line who hasn’t been to confession in 20 years? and getting turned away means he never comes back?

At the very least, the priest should speak to all the people waiting, and ask them to stay for Mass, promising to hear all their confessions afterward.

Ideally, the priest could get another priest to come out and finish hearing the confessions, while he celebrated Mass.

God Bless

 

[FK04US]

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

It is forbidden to hear confessions during mass. These are two different sacraments and you can’t confess while mass is going on. Besides, it would very distractful people coming in and of the confessional during mass. This is a Sacrament by itsef and that is why it is usually helof= on Saturday’s. You still could have gone to mass and made a SPIRITIUAL COMMUNION.
PROVIGIL, PhD

Can you show documentation that states that it is forbidden to hear confessions during Mass? This has been a very long practice in the Church and it is widely used in foreing countries in historical churches. I have done it, and there is no distraction really. People are in lines for confession far enough from the pews and close enough so that they can follow Mass staning up in line. I don’t get why would someone find disrecpectful that we as Catholics are receiving a Holy Sacrament. It does not make sense to me, and it is a widely used tradition in the Church. Of course, if you have official documentation that says the contrary, please educate us.

 

[lizaanne]

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

It is forbidden to hear confessions during mass. These are two different sacraments and you can’t confess while mass is going on. Besides, it would very distractful people coming in and of the confessional during mass. This is a Sacrament by itsef and that is why it is usually helof= on Saturday’s. You still could have gone to mass and made a SPIRITIUAL COMMUNION.
PROVIGIL, PhD

Source for this please? Forbidden?? Really. I don’t think so.

We go to probably one of the top three most conservative parishes in the entire Detroit Archdiocese and our priests continue to hear confessions up until after the homily. There is NO distraction to those who are there for Mass,and our old style confessionals are right in the main Church.

~Liza

 

[Kiechlin]

Hello all! I am brand-spankin’ new to the forums, although I have been lurking and reading for years here. I found an answer for this at EWTN’s website:

It looks like it basically comes down to a pastoral decision. In my parish, it would be distracting and disruptive I believe. But, we usually have 2-3 priests hearing an hour and a half before mass and I suspect they would gladly hear your confession in their office or other suitable location.ewtn.com/library/Liturgy/zlitur224.htm

 

[Timothysis]

Perhaps. But I’d rather have 1000 people inconvenienced than one person go to hell.

What if someone is in that line who hasn’t been to confession in 20 years? and getting turned away means he never comes back?

At the very least, the priest should speak to all the people waiting, and ask them to stay for Mass, promising to hear all their confessions afterward.

Ideally, the priest could get another priest to come out and finish hearing the confessions, while he celebrated Mass.

God Bless

Fine, but the truth of the matter is that when Mass is scheduled for a certain time, then it should start at a certain time. Mass, like doctor, dentist or attorney appointments, and even work, should be a timely thing. How would you feel if every time you went to 8:00 Mass it actually started at 8:20, or 8:40?

You can ask “what if” questions until the cows come home but being timely is a courtesy. Mass should begin when it is scheduled.

 

[bilop]

Fine, but the truth of the matter is that when Mass is scheduled for a certain time, then it should start at a certain time. Mass, like doctor, dentist or attorney appointments, and even work, should be a timely thing. How would you feel if every time you went to 8:00 Mass it actually started at 8:20, or 8:40?

You can ask “what if” questions until the cows come home but being timely is a courtesy. Mass should begin when it is scheduled.

If it is occuring regularly that there are more people waiting for confession than can be heard, then provisions for more confession time, or more priests hearing confession, need to be made. Start confession earlier, or make the Mass an 8:15 instead.

If it is not regular, then an occasional 5-10 min delay of a daily Mass won’t harm anyone.

God Bless

 

[ComputerGeek25]

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

It is forbidden to hear confessions during mass. These are two different sacraments and you can’t confess while mass is going on. Besides, it would very distractful people coming in and of the confessional during mass. This is a Sacrament by itsef and that is why it is usually helof= on Saturday’s. You still could have gone to mass and made a SPIRITIUAL COMMUNION.
PROVIGIL, PhD

Provigil,

Again, please cite your sources from a specific church document that explicityly states this.

The celebration of the sacrament of penance during the mass is allowed.

I’ll agree that it may be discracting depending on the set-up of the church.

But as long as Rome allows it, and if the church has enough priests then yes it is fine.

 

[JimG]

The OP did the right thing, in going to Mass, refraining from communion, and going to confession the next day.

That sort of thing happens often at my parish before daily Mass. Confessions are heard for 30 minutes before Mass, but the priest must leave the confessional in time to prepare for Mass.

In practice, because there are often lines, the priest will arrive 15 minutes early, thereby stretching the time to 45 minutes, and penitents who want to be sure to make it to confession will be smart to arrive early as well. I might add that for confessions before Mass, it is charitable to those in line behind you to try to keep the confession short.

 

[daeve]

I don’t know how much this adds to the discussion, but when I was in grade school, anyone in third grade and up could go to confession during Mass, every school day. I started kindergarten in 1956, and we attended daily Mass from first grade through eighth. Saturday confessions lasted for a couple hours or more, depending on how many people showed up, but this was before Saturday evening Masses were available. There were so many adults on Saturday, they wanted that time reserved for them – kids were allowed but encouraged to go during the week. So you saw the kids and stay-at-home moms (most Moms) on weekday mornings, and mostly men and the few women with jobs outside the home on Saturday.

I don’t think crowding is much of a problem now. My parish has confession on Saturday afternoon from 4 to 4:45 and usually the last person just tells Father there’s no one left in line. He sticks around until 4:45, but I can’t recall ever seeing him have to go beyond that time. We have several priests who live in the rectory, but only 3 of them are actually “our” priests. The rest have archidiocese or seminary jobs. Both the parishes I’m involved in (one where I live and one where I sing) have other priests there, and even a couple older seminarians spend time at the one near the seminary.

And the parish where I live is not NO only. We have a EO every Sunday at 3pm. Every Mass at this parish is pretty much packed. Sometimes at the one where I sing, there are fewer people in the pews than a combination of on the altar and in the choir and it’s especially bad in the summer. I’m pretty sure it’s not because I’m singing, but you never know.

 

[CarmeliteGirl25]

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

It is forbidden to hear confessions during mass. These are two different sacraments and you can’t confess while mass is going on. Besides, it would very distractful people coming in and of the confessional during mass. This is a Sacrament by itsef and that is why it is usually helof= on Saturday’s. You still could have gone to mass and made a SPIRITIUAL COMMUNION.
PROVIGIL, PhD

Provigil, your response is ignorant to what I wrote. I DID go to Mass and I DID make a spiritual Communion. It would behoove you to read the post in its entirety before making such a statement.

I’ve never seen anything written about it being forbidden to go to Confession during Mass. I truly wanted to know why everyone is turned away when there are two priests to start with and only one is needed for Mass.