What has caused confession to take a back seat?

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victrolatim

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I got to thinking about this the other day and thought it would be an interesting topic of conversation. I have frequently noticed at Mass that when it comes time for communion, if I have unconfessed sins, I am usually the only one who stays behind in the pews. Now, I cannot, of course, judge the souls of anyone else in the church (perhaps they are all in a state of grace.), but it seems the general emphasis on the sacrament of penance has decreased. Rarely do I hear anything mentioned from the pulpit about the importance of going to confession, and trying to find a church with a convenient 30 minute slot to receive the sacrament is difficult. Once, when I approached an usher before Mass to inquire about confession, he looked at me in disbelief and said “Really?!”. The only place where I hear a consistent message about the beauty and importance of the sacrament is EWTN. So, what has caused this phenomenon? I have a few thoughts.

-Popular culture
-Poor catechesis (When do we ever hear about Purgatory anymore? I know I didn’t growing up.)
-Availability of priests.
 
Just my observation, but there are several reasons why I think that may be.

Sin and the consequences of sin is rarely, if ever, mentioned anymore.

An over-emphasis on Divine Mercy with everyone going straight to Heaven when they die. Consequently, Purgatory seems to have emptied out and, since everyone goes straight to Heaven when they die, has gone out of business.

I was catechized before Vatican II. Back then, the over-emphasis was on the Justice of God and we rarely, if ever, heard about Him being Merciful. We were being motivated by fear and not by love.

Sin used to be presented to us in a black and white fashion. There were no gray or murky areas.

It’s hard to know the exact answer to your question. These are just some of my thoughts.
 
I don’t believe there is an exact answer. Thought it would stir an interesting conversation.
 
Yeah, this one is odd. Post-Vatican II Catholic here so confession was never stressed to me, nonetheless I’m still gonna use it. But it seems like there are no confession lines these days.
 
multitude said:
Yeah, this one is odd. Post-Vatican II Catholic here so confession was never stressed to me, nonetheless I’m still gonna use it. But it seems like there are no confession lines these days.
Click to expand...
I’m a post VII Catholic as well, and I attend Confession almost weekly. There are always a good twenty or thirty people waiting for confession at my church. There are a handful of regulars, but most aren’t. I try to go early and get some reading in, because if I don’t I could be waiting for an hour or more. I’m not above waiting for confession, but it’s nice to get there before the crowd forms, just me and Jesus.

As for the “why” of it, I do agree that it’s because judgment isn’t really brought up that much. I only really understand the importance of confession because I have good, solid, Catholic parents who stressed the importance of it. I think that our priests should spend more time talking about Judgment, not in the “fire and brimstone” sort of way, but in a way that emphasizes that there is a particular judgment for each man, woman and child when they die, and we should always do our best to be prepared for it. It’s true, this would probably result in some people leaving because the Church is being “judgmental” or “doom and gloomy,” but the benefits of a culture with the End more in sight would be enormous.
 
I think it boils down to the general loss of the sense of sin. If we don’t believe we have sinned, why would we need to be forgiven?

I don’t think it’s true everywhere, though. The three nearest parishes to me that I go to for Confession always have a line for Confession every Saturday. Often, it can be quite long. Last weekend, there were 20 people in front of me and—by the time it was my turn—there were 20 behind me. I know my area is not the norm, though.
 
I’m of the JPII generation. My best guess is that it is some combination of:
  1. Our gradual adoption of thinking more of God as a best friend type (loving, forgiving, patient, etc), rather than a Just Judge.
  2. The gradual degredation of popular society that makes our own sins look pale in comparison to what we see on TV and in the movies. Why confess lying or contraception or masturbation, for example, when everyone else is having sex with serial partners and experimenting with hardcore drugs?
  3. Lack of catechesis to explain mortal vs venial sin, the existence of hell, and the importance of confession.
 
I know in my parish the need for confession is mentioned frequently. We have confession offered frequently. But generally, no, the lines still aren’t very long and after a while if you tend to go at the same time you start recognizing some of the other folks. Huge lines during Advent and Lent, though, which is encouraging.

I think one aspect is that many people think they can just make up their own mind about what they believe. I used to be like that myself even as a convert. I liked the ritual and the sense of community, but I didn’t really have a sense of why the beliefs were important and figured I could just take what I wanted and leave the rest (in true cafeteria style. :cool:) So a priest telling me I needed to go to confession on a regular basis wouldn’t have been much incentive. After all, “priests say a lot of things.”

I was much more convicted after taking the time to do some spiritual reading and getting to know my own faith better. I don’t know how that happened except by a prompting of the Holy Spirit and probably more than one person praying for me.
 
They offer confession every day for an hour at the church I go to. Many of the people are quite old, so they don’t want to take any chances on dying in mortal sin.

Although I often wondered what could a really old, old person do that is sinful especially if they are suffering from various physical problems and possibly dementia, I guess anything is possible.

A person who is in a coma can’t sin. Maybe we could all be placed in a medically-induced coma when we reach a certain age, that is, after first receiving confession, communion, and the anointing along with the Apostolic pardon. That way how can we miss.

Meanwhile, not to consider God your “buddy” who understands your sins and lets you get away with them is key. Also, when you catch yourself feeling really sorry about something wrong you did, don’t let anyone tell you you should take a pill so you can feel better. It’s not abnormal to feel bad when you do wrong.
 
victrolatim said:
I got to thinking about this the other day and thought it would be an interesting topic of conversation. I have frequently noticed at Mass that when it comes time for communion, if I have unconfessed sins, I am usually the only one who stays behind in the pews. Now, I cannot, of course, judge the souls of anyone else in the church (perhaps they are all in a state of grace.), but it seems the general emphasis on the sacrament of penance has decreased. Rarely do I hear anything mentioned from the pulpit about the importance of going to confession, and trying to find a church with a convenient 30 minute slot to receive the sacrament is difficult. Once, when I approached an usher before Mass to inquire about confession, he looked at me in disbelief and said “Really?!”. The only place where I hear a consistent message about the beauty and importance of the sacrament is EWTN. So, what has caused this phenomenon? I have a few thoughts.

-Popular culture
-Poor catechesis (When do we ever hear about Purgatory anymore? I know I didn’t growing up.)
-Availability of priests.
Click to expand...
Not my experience. I frequently hear from the pulpit not just the need to go to confession but also about the beauty of the Sacrament. I particularly remember a homily and the priest telling of the overflow of Graces he receives when he hears confessions. In fact probably the biggest obstacle to going to confession is the long lines. I have driven to other parishes hoping for shorter lines and have run into parishioners I know doing the same thing. 🙂
 
victrolatim said:
I got to thinking about this the other day and thought it would be an interesting topic of conversation. I have frequently noticed at Mass that when it comes time for communion, if I have unconfessed sins, I am usually the only one who stays behind in the pews. Now, I cannot, of course, judge the souls of anyone else in the church (perhaps they are all in a state of grace.), but it seems the general emphasis on the sacrament of penance has decreased. Rarely do I hear anything mentioned from the pulpit about the importance of going to confession, and trying to find a church with a convenient 30 minute slot to receive the sacrament is difficult. Once, when I approached an usher before Mass to inquire about confession, he looked at me in disbelief and said “Really?!”. The only place where I hear a consistent message about the beauty and importance of the sacrament is EWTN. So, what has caused this phenomenon? I have a few thoughts.

-Popular culture
-Poor catechesis (When do we ever hear about Purgatory anymore? I know I didn’t growing up.)
-Availability of priests.
Click to expand...
I think you know more of the truth than you let on when you qualify “convenient 30 minute slot.” In my opinion, sacraments aren’t meant to be convenient; they are God’s sanctifying grace, His outward gift of love for us. Those who believe sacraments should be more convenient for their sake are telling God “not on Your time but on mine.” Who are we to dictate to God when He should grant us grace??? We should be grateful He provides grace at all and seek it when our souls need it!

My wife calls her spiritual director (a Diocesan priest) to arrange for Confession. That way, both the priest and she can be assured there’s no scheduling conflict; no long line to wait for Confession; no hurry to prepare for Mass (for the priest.) Our pastor invites everyone to call him any time of the day or night should we feel the need. There are a handful of churches within 10 minutes driving time that offer Reconciliation at various days and times so that there’s no excuse for me to not confess my sins. I know the days and times so why don’t I go? Convenience. My convenience! Lord, grant me to strength to do what is right because I know it’s right not because it’s convenient to me. :gopray:
 
victrolatim said:
I have frequently noticed at Mass that when it comes time for communion, if I have unconfessed sins, I am usually the only one who stays behind in the pews.
Click to expand...
Of course if you have unconfessed sins others do not stay behind.

Yes the above is a bit tongue in cheek, however the requirement is to abstain from communion if you have unconfessed mortal sin. I would not attempt to know if you or anyone else had committed unconfessed mortal sin when coming forward for communion. You know if you do. Could be that maybe you are being a tiny bit scrupulous too?
victrolatim said:
trying to find a church with a convenient 30 minute slot to receive the sacrament is difficult.
Click to expand...
This is a bit troubling. The word convenient is troublesome to be - convenient for who? the priest, the penitent? Sometimes you have to make a little effort. Most parishes I have attended or been around have a regularly scheduled time each week for confession. Those that did not had priests available to schedule appointments pretty much anytime.
victrolatim said:
Once, when I approached an usher before Mass to inquire about confession, he looked at me in disbelief and said “Really?!”.
Click to expand...
Did you follow up and ask the priest before or after the Mass?
victrolatim said:
The only place where I hear a consistent message about the beauty and importance of the sacrament is EWTN. So, what has caused this phenomenon? I have a few thoughts.

-Popular culture
-Poor catechesis (When do we ever hear about Purgatory anymore? I know I didn’t growing up.)
-Availability of priests.
Click to expand...
I don’t think you need to be constantly reminded of Purgatory and “scared” into celebrating the sacrament of reconciliation. Going because you are scared is the same as being coerced, and God doesn’t want you to be coerced - He wants you to come back because you recognize He loves you, you love him, and you are sorry for doing that which is not pleasing to Him.

My bishop and my pastor both frequently speak about the need for confession. My parish has confession scheduled Wednesday evenings from 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM (coinciding with a Holy Hour Exposition and Benediction), Saturdays from 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM; and in Spanish from 6:00 PM Saturdays, and Sundays from 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM. Neighboring parishes also have regularly scheduled times for confession.

The priest at the parish across from my work also frequently speaks of the need for confession. That particular parish has confession every weekday from 11:30AM to noon (and after the 12:10 PM Mass if you ask) and Monday-Wednesday evenings 6:00 PM - 6:30 PM and Saturdays 4:00 PM - 4:30 PM. They usually have a line, and if the line runs beyond the scheduled ending time, arrangements are made to hear the confession (the priest stays, or comes back after Mass, etc.).

You should know my parish and the one across from my work are in two different diocese.

As with all things, experiences vary greatly from person to person, parish to parish, diocese to diocese.
 
victrolatim said:
I got to thinking about this the other day and thought it would be an interesting topic of conversation. I have frequently noticed at Mass that when it comes time for communion, if I have unconfessed sins, I am usually the only one who stays behind in the pews. Now, I cannot, of course, judge the souls of anyone else in the church (perhaps they are all in a state of grace.), but it seems the general emphasis on the sacrament of penance has decreased. Rarely do I hear anything mentioned from the pulpit about the importance of going to confession, and trying to find a church with a convenient 30 minute slot to receive the sacrament is difficult. Once, when I approached an usher before Mass to inquire about confession, he looked at me in disbelief and said “Really?!”. The only place where I hear a consistent message about the beauty and importance of the sacrament is EWTN. So, what has caused this phenomenon? I have a few thoughts.

-Popular culture
-Poor catechesis (When do we ever hear about Purgatory anymore? I know I didn’t growing up.)
-Availability of priests.
Click to expand...
Our pastor talks about the value of Confession a lot. In fact this morning at Mass he said the reason why so many no longer go to Confession is because they think they don’t sin. Won’t they be surprised!!! God Bless, Memaw
 
frizzgrig said:
Of course if you have unconfessed sins others do not stay behind.

Yes the above is a bit tongue in cheek, however the requirement is to abstain from communion if you have unconfessed mortal sin. I would not attempt to know if you or anyone else had committed unconfessed mortal sin when coming forward for communion. You know if you do. Could be that maybe you are being a tiny bit scrupulous too?

This is a bit troubling. The word convenient is troublesome to be - convenient for who? the priest, the penitent? Sometimes you have to make a little effort. Most parishes I have attended or been around have a regularly scheduled time each week for confession. Those that did not had priests available to schedule appointments pretty much anytime.

Did you follow up and ask the priest before or after the Mass?

I don’t think you need to be constantly reminded of Purgatory and “scared” into celebrating the sacrament of reconciliation. Going because you are scared is the same as being coerced, and God doesn’t want you to be coerced - He wants you to come back because you recognize He loves you, you love him, and you are sorry for doing that which is not pleasing to Him.

My bishop and my pastor both frequently speak about the need for confession. My parish has confession scheduled Wednesday evenings from 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM (coinciding with a Holy Hour Exposition and Benediction), Saturdays from 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM; and in Spanish from 6:00 PM Saturdays, and Sundays from 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM. Neighboring parishes also have regularly scheduled times for confession.

The priest at the parish across from my work also frequently speaks of the need for confession. That particular parish has confession every weekday from 11:30AM to noon (and after the 12:10 PM Mass if you ask) and Monday-Wednesday evenings 6:00 PM - 6:30 PM and Saturdays 4:00 PM - 4:30 PM. They usually have a line, and if the line runs beyond the scheduled ending time, arrangements are made to hear the confession (the priest stays, or comes back after Mass, etc.).

You should know my parish and the one across from my work are in two different diocese.

As with all things, experiences vary greatly from person to person, parish to parish, diocese to diocese.
Click to expand...
Fear of the Lord is the beginning of Wisdom! God Bless, Memaw
 
I think it probably depends on Parish. Our Parish has a rejuvenated Sacrament of Reconciliation. Since we had a change of priests, the lines have gotten so long that our 1 hour slot for Confession often stretches into 2 hours now. I don’t know why that is, because the last priest was always available and he was kind and had penances that I didn’t consider scary. Our sacristan said she thinks it’s just that people are curious about the new priest, but hopefully people stay with it.

I think the more available Confession is, the more people will use it. I wish they’d open up another hour on a week night where people could confess after work.

But I agree that if it’s not being preached, that people are less likely to think about it. It definitely needs to be discussed during the homilies.
 
Many interesting thoughts here. I’ve noticed too that it varies parish to parish. There is one church here in the diocese where the pastor is very well versed (he has a D.D.) and the Lord has blessed him with some great gifts in terms of being a homilist. He is one of a handful that I am always on the edge of my pew when listening to his sermons and they resonate. He will talk on issues like confession, the gifts of the spirit, same sex “marriage”, papal encyclicals, etc. for upwards of 20 minutes and he keeps the congregation engaged.

Having grown up in that same generation with the “God is your best friend” mentality I can agree with that poster. I think that it needs to be stressed both ways. God IS your best friend, but it needs to be discussed that because he loves us he instituted the sacraments and thus why they are important.

To answer the previous question about approaching the usher, he was able to get Monsignor before Mass, who was quite willing to hear my confession.

Catechism can definitely do a lot. There was a lot I wish I had learned when I was younger, discussed in a way that was easily understood at age level. We were never taught about Purgatory and when I inquired about it, I was told two different things, one that Purgatory = Hell and that Purgatory didn’t exist any more. We were taught about sinning against the Ten Commandments, but I never recall being taught the gifts of the Holy Ghost or what a mortal vs. venial sin was.
 
frizzgrig said:
Yes - fear as in “awe, respect, to have a reverential awe of” not fear as in “scared senseless”
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Fear of Hell is something to be afraid of if one is in the state of serious sin!! Not a matter of being “scared senseless” (strange expression ) but maybe scared sinless!!! At least enough to go to Confession.

I know more people who have died suddenly including my first husband and I am sooo thankful he was a convert just a year before and he loved the Church. He had gone to Confession and Mass, just a few days before the accident. My cousin and his new bride were killed instantly after being hit head on by a drunk driver just the day after their wedding. I could go on but the point is if we are not in the State of Grace we have every reason to fear God’s judgment. While HE is All Merciful, HE is also all JUST. God Bless, Memaw
 
I’m more scared of the people who feel comfortable judging the souls of others in the pew or the communion line. :eek:
 
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