Author Topic: Confessions after Mass (Read 1987 times)

Stubborn · « **on:** April 27, 2013, 11:25:45 AM »

I've been to a number of different SSPX chapels over the years and something that is quite typical is to have confessions after Mass on Saturdays, and even Sundays and weekdays too depending on the availability of the priest.

I don't think it's a very good idea to schedule confessions *after* Mass on Saturday. Does anyone else think it almost too convenient to receive Our Lord sacrilegiously in communion - then go to confession?

The reason I say this is because for years I've seen an awful lot of people go to communion, then to confession after the same Mass.

Don't get me wrong, I make no accusations against anyone since for all we know the people who received communion 20 minutes earlier are now going to confession strictly for graces, or maybe for counseling or whatever - that's what I always thought anyway, if I ever thought of it at all - I guess I never really gave the matter too much thought at all until just recently.

I just think it could possibly be an issue, particularly for some who need to go to confession but attend Mass with family members or those who have recently came over from the NO and might think an act of contrition before communion alleviates any sacrilege.

Thoughts?

TKGS · « **Reply #1 on:** April 27, 2013, 12:40:19 PM »

Your question is ludicrous.

Because of the Crisis, some people have to travel long distances to attend Mass. There is often only one priest available for confessions and he can only hear one at a time. Few people will (or probably can) come to the Church two or three hours before Mass for confession. At one SSPX chapel I know, the priest hears confessions for a hour before Mass every Sunday (he arrives in town late Saturday afternoon, so Saturday confessions would not be easily scheduled). He has scheduled confessions after Mass one Sunday a month so that everyone can have a reasonable access to the confessional.

Confession is not simply about confessing mortal sins. It is also about confessing venial sins and seeking spiritual helps from the priest. It is also necessary to obtain plenary indulgences. Somehow, I doubt very much that the people you see receiving Communion and then going to confession after Mass are confessing mortal sins.

I think you need to rinse out your eyes.

Elizabeth · « **Reply #2 on:** April 27, 2013, 12:48:18 PM »

Quote from: TKGS

Your question is ludicrous.

Because of the Crisis, some people have to travel long distances to attend Mass. There is often only one priest available for confessions and he can only hear one at a time. Few people will (or probably can) come to the Church two or three hours before Mass for confession. At one SSPX chapel I know, the priest hears confessions for a hour before Mass every Sunday (he arrives in town late Saturday afternoon, so Saturday confessions would not be easily scheduled). He has scheduled confessions after Mass one Sunday a month so that everyone can have a reasonable access to the confessional.

Confession is not simply about confessing mortal sins. It is also about confessing venial sins and seeking spiritual helps from the priest. It is also necessary to obtain plenary indulgences. Somehow, I doubt very much that the people you see receiving Communion and then going to confession after Mass are confessing mortal sins.

I think you need to rinse out your eyes.

:applause:
Thank you--I was dumbfounded by this question.

Stubborn · « **Reply #3 on:** April 27, 2013, 02:56:47 PM »

Quote from: TKGS

Your question is ludicrous.

Because of the Crisis, some people have to travel long distances to attend Mass. There is often only one priest available for confessions and he can only hear one at a time. Few people will (or probably can) come to the Church two or three hours before Mass for confession. At one SSPX chapel I know, the priest hears confessions for a hour before Mass every Sunday (he arrives in town late Saturday afternoon, so Saturday confessions would not be easily scheduled). He has scheduled confessions after Mass one Sunday a month so that everyone can have a reasonable access to the confessional.

Did you even read the OP?
Yes, *as I said* there is a lot of problems with a lack of priests / availability - been that way for 45 years now. We all know that - I hope.

Now that you got all that out of your system, why not reply to the actual question?.............."Does anyone else think it almost too convenient to receive Our Lord sacrilegiously in communion - then go to confession?"

Quote from: TKGS

Confession is not simply about confessing mortal sins. It is also about confessing venial sins and seeking spiritual helps from the priest. It is also necessary to obtain plenary indulgences. Somehow, I doubt very much that the people you see receiving Communion and then going to confession after Mass are confessing mortal sins.

I think you need to rinse out your eyes.

Why repeat what I already said - did you read my post? You probably knew you saw that comment before somewhere but couldn't remember where - - - fyi, it was my post where you read it. I said: "Don't get me wrong, I make no accusations against anyone since for all we know the people who received communion 20 minutes earlier are now going to confession strictly for graces, or maybe for counseling or whatever......."

Mithrandylan · « **Reply #4 on:** April 27, 2013, 03:19:11 PM »

Quote from: TKGS

Your question is ludicrous.

Because of the Crisis, some people have to travel long distances to attend Mass. There is often only one priest available for confessions and he can only hear one at a time. Few people will (or probably can) come to the Church two or three hours before Mass for confession. At one SSPX chapel I know, the priest hears confessions for a hour before Mass every Sunday (he arrives in town late Saturday afternoon, so Saturday confessions would not be easily scheduled). He has scheduled confessions after Mass one Sunday a month so that everyone can have a reasonable access to the confessional.

Confession is not simply about confessing mortal sins. It is also about confessing venial sins and seeking spiritual helps from the priest. It is also necessary to obtain plenary indulgences. Somehow, I doubt very much that the people you see receiving Communion and then going to confession after Mass are confessing mortal sins.

I think you need to rinse out your eyes.

I don't think there shouldn't be confessions after mass, but I was under the impression that reception of Holy Communion remitted venial sins. Perhaps this is a novelty left over from my NO days. If it is a traditional teaching, though, a person who received Communion (with venial sin) would not have any unconfessed sins to confess afterwards.

TKGS · « **Reply #5 on:** April 27, 2013, 03:38:05 PM »

Quote from: Stubborn

Quote from: TKGS
Your question is ludicrous.

Because of the Crisis, some people have to travel long distances to attend Mass. There is often only one priest available for confessions and he can only hear one at a time. Few people will (or probably can) come to the Church two or three hours before Mass for confession. At one SSPX chapel I know, the priest hears confessions for a hour before Mass every Sunday (he arrives in town late Saturday afternoon, so Saturday confessions would not be easily scheduled). He has scheduled confessions after Mass one Sunday a month so that everyone can have a reasonable access to the confessional.

Did you even read the OP?
Yes, *as I said* there is a lot of problems with a lack of priests / availability - been that way for 45 years now. We all know that - I hope.

Now that you got all that out of your system, why not reply to the actual question?.............."Does anyone else think it almost too convenient to receive Our Lord sacrilegiously in communion - then go to confession?"

Quote from: TKGS
Confession is not simply about confessing mortal sins. It is also about confessing venial sins and seeking spiritual helps from the priest. It is also necessary to obtain plenary indulgences. Somehow, I doubt very much that the people you see receiving Communion and then going to confession after Mass are confessing mortal sins.

I think you need to rinse out your eyes.

Why repeat what I already said - did you read my post? You probably knew you saw that comment before somewhere but couldn't remember where - - - fyi, it was my post where you read it. I said: "Don't get me wrong, I make no accusations against anyone since for all we know the people who received communion 20 minutes earlier are now going to confession strictly for graces, or maybe for counseling or whatever......."

Yes. I read your post. That is why it was so absurd.

You are "concerned" that someone is abusing something. You have very misplaced concerns here. I know what you said, but the only reason for you to even have such concerns is precisely for the reason you don't want anyone to "get you wrong" about. If you didn't have these concerns that you insist that you don't have, the idea of confessions after Mass would not have even registered as a problem. You would have thought what most people are thinking: Isn't it wonderful that the priest will give us time we need in confession since we only have him for a few hours a week.

Perhaps, when you go to Mass on Sunday, you should receive Holy Communion and then go to the confessional and discuss this with the priest. At the very least, you can have the opportunity to receive a plenary indulgence.

Aleah · « **Reply #6 on:** April 27, 2013, 03:46:07 PM »

People also go to confession to fulfill certain devotions like First Saturdays.

Stubborn · « **Reply #7 on:** April 27, 2013, 03:58:54 PM »

Quote from: Mithrandylan

I don't think there shouldn't be confessions after mass, but I was under the impression that reception of Holy Communion remitted venial sins. Perhaps this is a novelty left over from my NO days. If it is a traditional teaching, though, a person who received Communion (with venial sin) would not have any unconfessed sins to confess afterwards.

Considering the situation these days, I agree, I don't think confession after Mass is a bad thing either, not at all and yes, venial sins are remitted when we receive communion and yes, we gain graces for going to confession whether we are in mortal sin or not.

The question I was asking had more to do about newer "converted NOers" who do not know any better and whom I just so happened to notice today at while I was standing in line for confession after Mass myself.

I don't know what TKGS' problem is about the question.

Stubborn · « **Reply #8 on:** April 27, 2013, 04:07:31 PM »

Quote from: TKGS

Yes. I read your post. That is why it was so absurd.

You are "concerned" that someone is abusing something.

Concerned that "someone is abusing something"? Well gee, when you put it like that, I guess the subject matter is really pretty meaningless after all.

TKGS · « **Reply #9 on:** April 27, 2013, 04:30:17 PM »

Stubborn,

Perhaps you should read the beginning of Matthew, chapter 7. Perhaps the priest is the best person to deal with your concerns.

songbird · « **Reply #10 on:** April 27, 2013, 05:05:16 PM »

I was in a private store when the owner told me she was in a hurry to close. And another lady in the store told the owner, "hurry,hurry or we will miss it!" So, I left but not before asking them what the hurry was about. Their new order has confession for only 30 minutes and on Saturday only or you miss out til the next time. That was all the time that was allowed.

Thank God we are out of there!!

Sigismund · « **Reply #11 on:** April 27, 2013, 09:25:13 PM »

That may have been the only time it was scheduled. I am sure if someone asked the priest to hear a confession. he would. At least I very much hope so. If not, he isn't much of a priest.

rowsofvoices9 · « **Reply #12 on:** April 28, 2013, 02:49:38 PM »

Quote from: Sigismund

That may have been the only time it was scheduled. I am sure if someone asked the priest to hear a confession. he would. At least I very much hope so. If not, he isn't much of a priest.

There have been many occasions in which I've approached priests after Mass to hear my confession. I don't always have recourse to the regularly scheduled confession times. In all but two instances the priest was very cordial and obliging. I though that priests have a duty to hear confessions whenever they're asked. Only when a legitimate reason exists that prevents them from hearing confessions are they excused from the obligation.

AnneTce · « **Reply #13 on:** April 28, 2013, 04:45:47 PM »

Quote from: Stubborn

Does anyone else think it almost too convenient to receive Our Lord sacrilegiously in communion - then go to confession?

I don't

TKGS · « **Reply #14 on:** April 28, 2013, 05:16:42 PM »

Quote from: rowsofvoices9

Quote from: Sigismund
That may have been the only time it was scheduled. I am sure if someone asked the priest to hear a confession. he would. At least I very much hope so. If not, he isn't much of a priest.

There have been many occasions in which I've approached priests after Mass to hear my confession. I don't always have recourse to the regularly scheduled confession times. In all but two instances the priest was very cordial and obliging. I though that priests have a duty to hear confessions whenever they're asked. Only when a legitimate reason exists that prevents them from hearing confessions are they excused from the obligation.

First, I wonder why you received a thumbs down for this post.

Second, I am aware of several parishes in which confessions are "by appointment" and I am also aware of some of these in which it is very difficult to get ahold of the parish priest and some of them will discourage confession outside a regularly schedule "penance service" that is generally held during Advent and Lent.