What has caused confession to take a back seat?

[ProVobis]

As with all things, experiences vary greatly from person to person, parish to parish, diocese to diocese.

Confession lines may vary but it seems communion lines are always overflowing. PreVatican II appeared not to have this discrepancy. There just is too much pressure to receive today. The “old school” taught you don’t receive communion unless you’ve been to confession; it seems to still be true in some cultures, like in Spanish and Polish Masses. And the way plenary indulgences are constructed, you don’t obtain one unless you receive both sacraments. So even if your sins are “only” venial sins and you don’t need to go to confession, there is no path to plenary indulgence, the remission of all punishment due to sin, available to you or to someone in Purgatory.

 

[pianistclare]

Conversely, many immigrants feel they cannot ever go to communion if they don’t confess immediately before Mass.
Regardless of the type of sin. Regardless of state of grace.
I often feel very bad for the people who truly need the grace of the Eucharist and stay away simply because someone told them to stay away without explaining why or what the teaching is behind these rules.
It goes both ways.

 

[ProVobis]

Conversely, many immigrants feel they cannot ever go to communion if they don’t confess immediately before Mass.

This may be true in some foreign countries as well. But it seems some Orthodox and others have no problem with this calling communion without confession a “decadent Western practice.”

orthodoxengland.org.uk/confessio.htm

I for one am inclined to agree with them on this point.

 

[Usige]

One of the other reasons might be an emphasis on confession only for mortal sin. When I was received we were told we only “had” to go when we royally messed up. While technically correct it is not the whole story. We were never told that you can still receive the sacramental graces even if you confess only venial sins.

Given that we as a culture have seem to have lost a sense of sin it’s not surprising. I’m not just talking about mortal sin, but that even venial sin is bad. Too often the emphasis on the Eucharist being the source and summit of the faith can down play the importance of the other sacraments.

 

[pianistclare]

One of the other reasons might be an emphasis on confession only for mortal sin. When I was received we were told we only “had” to go when we royally messed up. While technically correct it is not the whole story. We were never told that you can still receive the sacramental graces even if you confess only venial sins.

Given that we as a culture have seem to have lost a sense of sin it’s not surprising. I’m not just talking about mortal sin, but that even venial sin is bad. Too often the emphasis on the Eucharist being the source and summit of the faith can down play the importance of the other sacraments.

Yeah, but if one was taught that you receive sacramental graces, why would anyone assume those graces are not present when it’s still a Sacrament?? That doesn’t make sense.
Also, people tend to forget that at the conclusion of the Penitential Rite there is an absolution.

 

[ProVobis]

Also, people tend to forget that at the conclusion of the Penitential Rite there is an absolution.

This is not sacramental confession.

 

[jmcrae]

Yeah, but if one was taught that you receive sacramental graces, why would anyone assume those graces are not present when it’s still a Sacrament?? That doesn’t make sense.
Also, people tend to forget that at the conclusion of the Penitential Rite there is an absolution.

Actually I think a lot of people are actually relying on that without realizing that it doesn’t cover mortal sins - or that things like gossip, or certain kinds entertainment also qualify as mortal sins when done voluntarily.

 

[victrolatim]

Regarding the penitential rite, this forgives venial sins but (obviously) not mortal, correct?

 

[jmcrae]

Regarding the penitential rite, this forgives venial sins but (obviously) not mortal, correct?

Correct. At one time, people actually confessed their mortal sins to the priest in the presence of the community at that time as well, but today we no longer do that.

 

[ProVobis]

Regarding the penitential rite, this forgives venial sins but (obviously) not mortal, correct?

A perfect act of contrition forgives both, but it is not sacramental confession.

 

[Leo714]

I think people just don’t think about it. There are so many stresses in our everyday lives and some people are afraid of confession. These days people do what’s convenient for them, as in younger people. and going to confession is not something a modern person thinks about. But it should be stressed more during the homily, I agree with that.

But is there an overemphasis on Divine Mercy? I don’t think so. If anyone has ever read the diary of St.Faustina, then you already know how greatly sins hurt Jesus and how often St.Faustina went to confession. We absolutely need an emphasis on Divine Mercy, because confession is where it takes place! If people have a better understanding of it, more people will be partaking in the great gift of confession.

 

[ProVobis]

I think people just don’t think about it. There are so many stresses in our everyday lives and some people are afraid of confession. These days people do what’s convenient for them, as in younger people. and going to confession is not something a modern person thinks about. But it should be stressed more during the homily, I agree with that.

But is there an overemphasis on Divine Mercy? I don’t think so. If anyone has ever read the diary of St.Faustina, then you already know how greatly sins hurt Jesus and how often St.Faustina went to confession. We absolutely need an emphasis on Divine Mercy, because confession is where it takes place! If people have a better understanding of it, more people will be partaking in the great gift of confession.

Good post.

 

[ineeda]

I think it is many things. Lack of sense of sin; believe that only Act of Contrition is needed, and the schedules of confession times. It does not seem that 30 min. before mass is enough of time. However, not seeing people in confession lines does not mean they are not going. They may schedule a more convenient time with the priest.

At my parish, it is now only available prior to 7am mass. Or, by appt. I choose to go to another parish near by on Sat. afternoon.

 

[adamhovey1988]

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.

I think confession is a very useful thing to have even if it weren’t a sacrament I would think it would have to be made one not that we can make sacraments that’s not the point of getting at. Quite honestly I really wish I can go to confession without having anything to say but concupiscence

 

[SuperLuigi]

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.

First of all, I think priests and some of the Faithful are aware in the USA that there’s people who go to Communion every week who shouldn’t be. The idea of “it’s fine you can’t read my mind” is a sorry, lame excuse. These extrapolations are not that hard, and it’s important because Communion is a very serious thing.

I appreciate you not “judging” them, but there is an element of not being fooled here as well. :yup:

Secondly, poor Catholic education is part of it. I remember my Mom telling me they used to make “Jesus Loves Me” pictures while the culture was starting to rot around us. Makes sense, especially since so many Catholics are “surprised” at what is going on. I also think some Catholic parents are only interested in Baptism, First Communion, Confirmation and Marriage.

Third, the availability of priests—that is an interesting point. I remember reading commentary by a priest who said that he was not happy that a lot of parish bulletins had Confessions by appointment only.

I’ve seen it myself where there are smaller parisehs where it will just me who goes on Saturday night, and then bigger cathedrals that may even signs telling folks that the Confessional is not meant for extended spiritual direction with the priest.

Fourth, I can’t see how pop culture helps Confession at all, as Catholic values are routinely subverted. But perhaps a larger issue is that many Catholics make excuses not to go. Excuse-making is an overlooked, destructive part of our culture.

 

[Memaw]

I’m more scared of the people who feel comfortable judging the souls of others in the pew or the communion line.

This judgement thing is sooo far overrated it is pathetic. Just because one knows the line to Communion is far greater than the lines for Confession and knowing that fact, (as Father said in his Homily, to many people don’t believe in sin anymore) doesn’t makes us judgmental. You have NO reason to be “scared” of us for speaking the TRUTH. We are NOT judging their souls as you put it. Maybe your judging our souls??? God Bless, Memaw

 

[Memaw]

First of all, I think priests and some of the Faithful are aware in the USA that there’s people who go to Communion every week who shouldn’t be. The idea of “it’s fine you can’t read my mind” is a sorry, lame excuse. These extrapolations are not that hard, and it’s important because Communion is a very serious thing.

I appreciate you not “judging” them, but there is an element of not being fooled here as well. :yup:

Secondly, poor Catholic education is part of it. I remember my Mom telling me they used to make “Jesus Loves Me” pictures while the culture was starting to rot around us. Makes sense, especially since so many Catholics are “surprised” at what is going on. I also think some Catholic parents are only interested in Baptism, First Communion, Confirmation and Marriage.

Third, the availability of priests—that is an interesting point. I remember reading commentary by a priest who said that he was not happy that a lot of parish bulletins had Confessions by appointment only.

I’ve seen it myself where there are smaller parisehs where it will just me who goes on Saturday night, and then bigger cathedrals that may even signs telling folks that the Confessional is not meant for extended spiritual direction with the priest.

Fourth, I can’t see how pop culture helps Confession at all, as Catholic values are routinely subverted. But perhaps a larger issue is that many Catholics make excuses not to go. Excuse-making is an overlooked, destructive part of our culture.

I agree!! God Bless, Memaw

 

[Sirach2]

I believe the Church’s relaxation of the fast to one hour before communion opened the door for many to receive weekly. And I disagree strongly that those who do so are receiving in mortal sin! IF, and this is a big IF, they are not aware of serious sin, using the criteria of the three things that make a sin mortal, then one of these would be “lack of full knowledge of its gravity” and therefore is not mortal.

Weekly reception of communion, therefore, gives the soul much strength to avoid mortal sins; whereas, the former restriction of a fast from midnight, or even three hours, would be a hindrance to many receiving regularly and affording them the supernatural grace to avoid serious sin.

I praise the wisdom of the Church for opening this door to the faithful, and it is most likely the reason they are more free from sinning mortally. Being from an older generation, I never remember seeing very many receive when the fast was longer, but when it was changed, I observed longer communion lines.

It is true that one receives special helps and grace from the sacrament of Penance, and perhaps that would be incentive to confess frequently, even if they are only conscious of venial sins. I found much help in overcoming one of my frequent venial sins by going often.

If our saints, i.e., Faustina and others, confessed frequently, it was not from falling often into mortal sin, so let’s put that assumption in file 13!

 

[Usige]

Yeah, but if one was taught that you receive sacramental graces, why would anyone assume those graces are not present when it’s still a Sacrament?? That doesn’t make sense.

That’s not it at all. The point was that we were taught that you could only go to reconciliation if you were in a state of mortal sin. Just like there must be a serious illness to receive Anointing of the Sick, we were told that Reconciliation required a serious illness of the soul.

Also, people tend to forget that at the conclusion of the Penitential Rite there is an absolution.

Yes, but it does not impart any sacramental graces.

Part of the issue here is that people treat all graces the same way. The Eucharist provides us graces to grow in faith and strengthens us to grow in holiness. Where as Reconciliation provides us graces to detest our sins and turn away from them. They are really meant to go together, to support each other as they each provide different benefits.

When you only partake in the Eucharist it’s like driving a car with the parking break on. Yes, the engine can drive you forward, but you are fighting against an opposing force. Frequent confession helps break us from attachment to venial sin, but we seem to live in a religiously minimalistic society that only focuses on what I must do, rather than what I can do.

 

[multitude]

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.

This whole idea that God is your best friend, and that Jesus was really this liberal hippie guy, ought to fall on its head. Those who see Jesus this way, are going to be sorely disappointed, to say the least.

One thing I have noticed in meeting people in real life and online, is that those who speak of mercy, maybe even God’s mercy, are often those who couldn’t wait to dole out some justice. And those who speak of God’s justice, the more traditional crowd, so to speak, are often the most merciful. That’s my little judgement, nothing malicious, just making a point. So with double-edged swords such as these, the confessional is actually one of the best and most optimal things anyone can go to, in order to experience both God’s mercy and justice. If people can see these double-edged swords for what they are, then you may have a shot at getting people to get the confessional back.