Why is it so hard to find an open confessional?

[RascalJones]

I know the answer is “because the priest would be lonely”…but why is it that most parishes only offer 1 hour or so of confessions on Saturday before Mass?

I know that you can call and schedule one, but there’s something about just being able to find one and go.

 

[pray4peace]

I don’t think there are enough priests, and sadly a lot of Catholics only go at Christmas and Easter.

 

[zjl56]

I would presume that when only ten or so people show up at confession, that he has satisfied the needs of his congregation. Yes, everyone should go to confession, but it seems that the amount of hours is adequate.

 

[JimG]

My experience has been along the lines of “if you build it, they will come.” Our parish makes confession available every day of the week before weekday Mass, as well as on Saturday. There is most always a line, so that often the priest will resume hearing confessions after Mass.

Our priests also encourage the practice of confession rather frequently in their Sunday homilies.

 

[Pani_Rose]

My experience has been along the lines of “if you build it, they will come.” Our parish makes confession available every day of the week before weekday Mass, as well as on Saturday. There is most always a line, so that often the priest will resume hearing confessions after Mass.

Our priests also encourage the practice of confession rather frequently in their Sunday homilies.

GLORY TO GOD!

 

[Cran]

Build it, and they will come? My parish offers two hours each week (one friday, one saturday plus by appointment), and nearly each and every saturday, the priest comes into the sacristy from the confessional and asks the people present: Why didn’t YOU come to confession? I was sitting there alone for the whole time!

This experience seems to ne no singular one, so I can understand each priest who is usually already busy and asks himself why he should offer more time for confession, if nobody comes anyway.

 

[lak611]

My parish has confession on Saturday afternoons. Since that time is not always convenient for me, I like to go to a Shrine church downtown. They have daily confession at 11:30 a.m. If people are still waiting to confess, they keep the confessionals open as long as necessary. Even though the daily Mass starts at 12 p.m., they hear confessions even during the Mass. The priests are Franciscan Friars. The priest who is saying Mass leaves, but they always have 1 or 2 other priests who keep hearing confessions. They are awesome confessors, too. I go there for confession rather than at my parish. I will be going within a week. They have confession Monday through Saturday starting at 11:30 a.m. until all are heard.

 

[chicago]

Because the Church is slow to change and rarely very innovative. Saturday afternoon confessions are a holdover from a time when Saturday was entirely different culturally, people had the time, and there was an expectation that they should go to evening confessions (which were emphasized more as a whole) Saturday in preparation to receive communion Sunday (and preferably before going out and getting drunk or rowdy Saturday night).

The timeframe and culture isn’t suited to such a practice any longer. Parishes which have found a way to emphasize the importance of the sacrament and make it convenient for parishioners do quite well. Where no one has enough of a clue to try something different which might be more responsive to the actual times, it gets cut to 15 minutes or a half hour on Saturday and everyone scratches their head asking, “Why doesn’t anyone come to confession?”

 

[lak611]

Because the Church is slow to change and rarely very innovative. Saturday afternoon confessions are a holdover from a time when Saturday was entirely different culturally, people had the time, and there was an expectation that they should go to evening confessions (which were emphasized more as a whole) Saturday in preparation to receive communion Sunday (and preferably before going out and getting drunk or rowdy Saturday night).

The timeframe and culture isn’t suited to such a practice any longer. Parishes which have found a way to emphasize the importance of the sacrament and make it convenient for parishioners do quite well. Where no one has enough of a clue to try something different which might be more responsive to the actual times, it gets cut to 15 minutes or a half hour on Saturday and everyone scratches their head asking, “Why doesn’t anyone come to confession?”

The downtown Shrine parish that has daily confession starting at 11:30 a.m. always has a line, whether it is a weekday or Saturday.

 

[LilyM]

Because the Church is slow to change and rarely very innovative. Saturday afternoon confessions are a holdover from a time when Saturday was entirely different culturally, people had the time, and there was an expectation that they should go to evening confessions (which were emphasized more as a whole) Saturday in preparation to receive communion Sunday (and preferably before going out and getting drunk or rowdy Saturday night).

The timeframe and culture isn’t suited to such a practice any longer. Parishes which have found a way to emphasize the importance of the sacrament and make it convenient for parishioners do quite well. Where no one has enough of a clue to try something different which might be more responsive to the actual times, it gets cut to 15 minutes or a half hour on Saturday and everyone scratches their head asking, “Why doesn’t anyone come to confession?”

I think you’re right. For a lot of people Saturday is another work day or else it’s spent running the errands that didn’t get done during the week.

My personal preference leans towards having 'em on Sundays before and/or after the Masses if possible. People have the time then - usually arriving a little early or staying a little late. And they and the priest will know they’re right to receive Communion then too

 

[Steelhart]

I just moved and miss my old home. It was a Cathedral and had confessions before all masses and longer on Sat. It was my first Church. Since moving I’m really disappointed with only being able to go to confession in a 1 hour span in a week. I still go must go before most every Mass, and wind up going to Mass Sat. I would like to go to Mass Sunday but don’t want to waste gas and don’t want to be denied the Sacrament.
All I’m saying is if theres gonna be a mass there should be at least 15 minutes where you can have a few confessions.
Anyhow, It’s disheartening.

 

[kage_ar]

I know the answer is “because the priest would be lonely”…but why is it that most parishes only offer 1 hour or so of confessions on Saturday before Mass?

I know that you can call and schedule one, but there’s something about just being able to find one and go.

I thought that was something that only happens in the Movies or at the Vatican.