Confession - Confession Running Into Mass

[AugustineA]

This is an insightful and short article on how we, laity and priests, should understand confession. Two weeks ago, confession ran sometime past it's scheduled time and into Mass. I remember wondering at the time if this is okay, frowned upon, traditional, unheard of? After reading some of the thoughts here, I am very happy the priests at the cathedral hold confession no matter the circumstances.

 

http://catholicphoenix.com/2011/02/08/dear-denys-confession-on-sundays/

[truthfinder]

We had a talk last night at church: confession started about 30 mins before the talk, lasted through the Mass, and through the the stations of the cross. Father was hearing confession for over three hours. Of all the people that went, only a couple would be able to go if it was only one specific time one day of the week. We are so very blessed.

[Basilisa Marie]

I think this has to be one of those things where it's really dependent on the situation. Do you just have one person who's waiting right before mass who goes every week, or are we talking about a big group that hasn't been in years? As far as I know, it's up to the priest to use good judgment. 

[chrysostom]

My church is blessed with a priest who hears confessions before, during, and after Mass while another one offers Mass.  It's a smallish church but it seems like all the sinners in the Diocese come here! :)

Edited April 6, 2014 by chrysostom

[AugustineA]

Nice to hear the same happens in other parishes. People clamouring to get to confession is one of the signs of a health parish, I think.

 

I think this has to be one of those things where it's really dependent on the situation. Do you just have one person who's waiting right before mass who goes every week, or are we talking about a big group that hasn't been in years? As far as I know, it's up to the priest to use good judgment. 

 

I can't speak for others, but in the case I was involved in there was a long lineup starting from well before Mass.

[ChristinaTherese]

My parish has only one priest, so he couldn't stay in the confessional during Mass, but he's there before every Mass (Sundays and weekdays). I never have to wait, though, but the English speaking side of the parish is pretty small and I go to the early morning Sunday Mass.

[AugustineA]

Funny you should say that. I was just thinking about churches that only have one priest. I guess we all make do. :)

 

What sort of ethnicity is your parish predominantly that you don't speak English? 

[ChristinaTherese]

Most of the parish is Polish. We have plenty of people on the English side too, just not as much.

[Benedictus]

I don't attend my local parish - they offer confession on a Saturday and before mass. But at the church I go I see a long line of people waiting for confession, even longer if before an EO or NO latin Mass (my church does both). I often hope the line gets cleared by communion  - so they can come out and then have time to go to Jesus in the Eucharist. Often I've seen people sit in the pews, see confessions still going, and then join the confession line before they go up. The priests are very friendly and understanding, but also the very best in Catholic thought. It seems to make perfect sense to make the sacraments flow as seamless as possible for people before, during and after mass.

[Tab'le De'Bah-Rye]

Remembering also it is easter time, and we are required to confess at least once a year and this the church advises to be done around easter time if only doing it once a year i assume.

Edited April 24, 2014 by Tab'le De'Bah-Rye