Turned away from the Confessional; Lack of time

[CarmeliteGirl25]

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.

The first time that this happened, I got there 45 minutes before the Confession time was ending. And STILL got turned away.

 

[CarmeliteGirl25]

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.

Nope, quite the contrary. Although we celebrate exclusively in the Novus Ordo, the Confession on Saturday begins at 3:30pm and is supposed to end at 4:30pm, but rarely does. The Vigil Mass on Saturday begins at 5pm, so more often than not, the priests who are not celebrating the Mass continue until 4:50pm.

This time, there was only one priest, so, yes, he was the one celebrating Mass. The last time though, he was not.

 

[brittrossiter]

At the Cathedral here in downtown Cleveland, the priest hearing daily midday Confessions (which start at 11:30) regularly continue hearing Confessions well into the noon Mass, sometimes all the way through it. The confessionals are located (mostly) out of the line of sight for the persons attending the Mass, so it is hardly distracting.

I for one don’t mind at all - it is far better in my eyes to see a few more people rescued from sin, when compared to 50 or so people being slightly distracted or inconvenienced. Offer it up.

And I know of no outright prohibition on the practice of one priest hearing Confessions whilst another is celebrating the Mass in the same church building. The fact that our Bishop allows Confessions to be heard in the Cathedral while Masses are taking place leads me to believe that no such prohibition exists (at least not an outright one). Source please?

 

[Gottle_of_Geer]

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!

The practicalities govern whether it is continued - in a Cathedral Church such as Westminster, which has pastoral oversight for a great number of Catholics of every conceivable background, it’s quite usual to continue; but it’s often difficult to concentrate (& so, to be properly recollected, as the dignity of the sacraments require) while some other liturgical event is occurring within earshot) . In a parish church, lack of priests & number of parishioners may make continuing to hear confessions beyond the appointed times impossible: if priests are on sick calls, they can’t be present in the confessional.​

As to the difficulties this causes would-be penitents: the sacrament would be an empty form without the grace of contrition: that is essential to it, & does not to have be part of the sacrament so as to be contrition. Contrition, of its very nature (for it is incompatible with aversion from God in mortal sin) remits the guilt of mortal sin (&* a fortiori*, venial sin), even outside the sacrament. (This BTW is why someone en route to confess a mortal sin would not necessarily die in it if killed before getting there - he could make an act of contrition ) The blame of sin is what is left after the guilt of sin is purged; but to say more would lead to talking about Purgatory, which is not the topic.

 

[CarmeliteGirl25]

The practicalities govern whether it is continued - in a Cathedral Church such as Westminster, which has pastoral oversight for a great number of Catholics of every conceivable background, it’s quite usual to continue; but it’s often difficult to concentrate (& so, to be properly recollected, as the dignity of the sacraments require) while some other liturgical event is occurring within earshot) . In a parish church, lack of priests & number of parishioners may make continuing to hear confessions beyond the appointed times impossible: if priests are on sick calls, they can’t be present in the confessional.​

As to the difficulties this causes would-be penitents: the sacrament would be an empty form without the grace of contrition: that is essential to it, & does not to have be part of the sacrament so as to be contrition. Contrition, of its very nature (for it is incompatible with aversion from God in mortal sin) remits the guilt of mortal sin (&* a fortiori*, venial sin), even outside the sacrament. (This BTW is why someone en route to confess a mortal sin would not necessarily die in it if killed before getting there - he could make an act of contrition ) The blame of sin is what is left after the guilt of sin is purged; but to say more would lead to talking about Purgatory, which is not the topic.

I did want to re-mention that there is a place where these Confessions could continue. We have 2 Parish halls, a Conference room, a Parish office, and a small room in the Rectory (which I’ve used before), which all the priests have access to.

I think the next time I see my spiritual director, who is a priest at this Church, I’m going ask him, in a charitable manner, if there is anyway that the Confessions can be continued without being disruptive to those who are seated in Mass.

 

[aimee]

There are some good answers here…but I am shocked that there was a line for confessions…seriously I haven’t ever seen a long line…except perhaps at those parish confessions that they do during Christmas and Easter…
as for me…I make an appointment if needed…at one of the other Catholic churches where I live.

 

[Joannm]

There are some good answers here…but I am shocked that there was a line for confessions…seriously I haven’t ever seen a long line…except perhaps at those parish confessions that they do during Christmas and Easter…
as for me…I make an appointment if needed…at one of the other Catholic churches where I live.

While I usually make an appointment, there are lines in my parish each week with two priests hearing confessions all year long.

 

[Sr_Sally]

All of this is another reason to pray very earnestly for vocations–especially during our upcoming Year of the Priest. To many parishes have only 1 priest or at most 2. Having more priests would make the availablity of confession so much easier and also make it more possible for priests to teach in the CCD program at their parish or lead other religious education classes.

 

[RobNY]

Hey everyone,

Fr. Z had a post and discussion on this a little while back. Let me quote some of the sources.

There is a CDW Notitiae which seems to state, that which the ideal practice is not to confess during Mass, but to have done so before, nevertheless…

On the other hand, this does not in any way prohibit priests, except the one who is celebrating Mass, from hearing confessions of the faithful who so desire, including during the celebration of Mass. Above all nowadays, when the ecclesial significance of sin and the sacrament of Penance is obscured in many people, and the desire to receive the sacrament of Penance has diminished markedly, pastors ought to do all in their power to foster frequent participation by the faithful in this sacrament

…Consequently, it is clearly lawful, even during the celebration of Mass, to hear confessions when one foresees that the faithful are going to ask for this ministry. In the case of concelebrations, it is earnestly to be desired that some priests would abstain from concelebrating…

From Redemptionis Sacramentum 76

Furthermore, according to a most ancient tradition of the Roman Church, it is not permissible to unite the Sacrament of Penance to the Mass in such a way that they become a single liturgical celebration. This does not exclude, however, that Priests other than those celebrating or concelebrating the Mass might hear the confessions of the faithful who so desire, even in the same place where Mass is being celebrated, in order to meet the needs of those faithful. This should nevertheless be done in an appropriate manner.

From PJPII Misericordia Dei

1. Local Ordinaries, and parish priests and rectors of churches and shrines, should periodically verify that the greatest possible provision is in fact being made for the faithful to confess their sins. It is particularly recommended that in places of worship confessors be visibly present at the advertized times, that these times be adapted to the real circumstances of penitents, and that confessions be especially available before Masses, and even during Mass if there are other priests available, in order to meet the needs of the faithful. (15)

-Rob

 

[EasterJoy]

The first time that this happened, I got there 45 minutes before the Confession time was ending. And STILL got turned away.

At our parish, it isn’t rare during Advent and Lent for there to be 15 people there before Father gets there to start. The line may be even longer, the last regularly-scheduled time that confessions are heard before Christmas and Easter. Those coming in fifteen minutes after things start can almost expect they will not be heard until after the Vigil Mass. Even on a normal week, those who walk in the door with Father are going to be back in the line a ways. It is a problem, yes, but it is the kind of problem a priest and parish want to have. (Luckily, the pastors in our vicariate also hold several penance services with multiple priests available to hear private confessions during each Advent and Lent, or there would REALLY be problems!!)

Unfortunately, it is not practical for a confessor to do a triage before he starts, for obvious reasons! On that account, arrive at least 5-10 minutes before confessions are supposed to start, if your need is urgent, or else plan to be able to stick around after Mass. (Even then, you are taking a chance, since priests sometimes schedule a commitment immediately after Mass.)

 

[JimG]

There are some good answers here…but I am shocked that there was a line for confessions…seriously I haven’t ever seen a long line…except perhaps at those parish confessions that they do during Christmas and Easter…
as for me…I make an appointment if needed…at one of the other Catholic churches where I live.

At my parish there are some weekdays when there might be no line, but usually there is a line, even before daily Mass, and also on Saturdays. If I want to go to confession before the weekday 5:30pm Mass, I try to arrive about 4:45, and there are 9 or 10 people already waiting at that time. But the line grows during the next 45 minutes, so that often not everyone can be heard. But then, we do have an inordinate number of sinners here!

 

[CarmeliteGirl25]

At our parish, it isn’t rare during Advent and Lent for there to be 15 people there before Father gets there to start. The line may be even longer, the last regularly-scheduled time that confessions are heard before Christmas and Easter. Those coming in fifteen minutes after things start can almost expect they will not be heard until after the Vigil Mass. Even on a normal week, those who walk in the door with Father are going to be back in the line a ways. It is a problem, yes, but it is the kind of problem a priest and parish want to have. (Luckily, the pastors in our vicariate also hold several penance services with multiple priests available to hear private confessions during each Advent and Lent, or there would REALLY be problems!!)

Unfortunately, it is not practical for a confessor to do a triage before he starts, for obvious reasons! On that account, arrive at least 5-10 minutes before confessions are supposed to start, if your need is urgent, or else plan to be able to stick around after Mass. (Even then, you are taking a chance, since priests sometimes schedule a commitment immediately after Mass.)

Unfortunately, both times, I was unable to get there sooner due to harsh weather (and people still came out! ). I’m not suggesting that less people come, but I think sometimes, people take TOO long (there were two ladies, related, that took 5 minutes each).

I remember once that I got to the Confessional about 15 min before it was to start and I wasn’t able to go in line because there was a wedding finishing up. I ended up at the back of the line because I couldn’t get inside soon enough.

 

[PKinsale]

I do hope provigil provides a response. I hate it when someone drops a bomb into a discussion and walks away …

 

[zab]

Unfortunately, both times, I was unable to get there sooner due to harsh weather (and people still came out! ). I’m not suggesting that less people come, but I think sometimes, people take TOO long (there were two ladies, related, that took 5 minutes each).

I remember once that I got to the Confessional about 15 min before it was to start and I wasn’t able to go in line because there was a wedding finishing up. I ended up at the back of the line because I couldn’t get inside soon enough.

You are fortunate to have more than one priest in your parish. Perhaps you could talk to your pastor about the need for more scheduled times for Confession. We only have one priest and he has increased the time for Confession before Saturday Vigil Mass and added Saturday mornings after Mass until all are heard. He also hears Confessions after First Friday devotions until all are heard.

 

[EasterJoy]

At my parish there are some weekdays when there might be no line, but usually there is a line, even before daily Mass, and also on Saturdays. If I want to go to confession before the weekday 5:30pm Mass, I try to arrive about 4:45, and there are 9 or 10 people already waiting at that time. But the line grows during the next 45 minutes, so that often not everyone can be heard. But then, we do have an inordinate number of sinners here!

If your parish schedules confessions on every week day, your priests are probably drawing sinners from every parish within 25 miles. In some places, your parish would be the spiritual equivalent of the only hospital in the city that has a 24-hour emergency department.

Good for them!

 

[CarmeliteGirl25]

I do hope provigil provides a response. I hate it when someone drops a bomb into a discussion and walks away …

He’s actually been banned for his responses.