Virtual confession campaign

The Archdiocese of Boston has launched a special website to encourage more people to go to confession during Lent. 

The site does the full A to Z of confession - starting with how to make an examination of conscience, and giving all the prayers and words said during confession including the act of contrition.

There are several videos on the website and Auxiliary Bishop of Boston Robert F. Hennessey featured on one say,"Confession gives us the chance to start over…  It shows how forgiving and kind our God is."

Speaking of Jesus’ words that Heaven rejoices more for one repentant sinner than for 99 that never needed to repent, he continues, "Every time that someone returns to the Sacrament of Confession, Heaven celebrates.  And that unbelievable experience of joy becomes ours when we are forgiven." 

The bishop explains he goes to confession frequently not only to confess what he has done wrong, but to receive "the grace to become a better disciple.”  Those in confession will deepen their friendship with Jesus and experience spiritual healing he explains.  God's love is greater than any individual's sins and no one should think he or she is beyond help.

The website is part of a campaign in which parishes and churches in the Archdiocese of Boston will open for confessions every Wednesday evening during Lent.  The website has a number of resources including, other videos on The Sacrament of Reconciliation; How to Make a Good Confession; Examination of Conscience; Confession FAQs; and Parish Resources.

Anecdotal evidence suggests that attendance at one to one confessions has ‘gone through the floor’ in America since the 1970’s.  The most reported reasons are that Catholics who attended confession when they were children find they have grown out of formats such as the ‘shopping list’ of sins.  Some feel discomfiture with being alone in a confined space with a priest.  Attendance at confession is also low among those who struggle with the church’s teaching on contraception, marriage and other moral issues. 

National statistics show that 32% of Catholics in America rarely or never attend Mass, while 24% attend a few times a year, 21% at least once a month, and 23% weekly or more.  For Catholics who grew up after the Second Vatican Council, the percentages of those attending Mass and expressing a strong identification with the church are even lower.  Among Catholics of the pre-Vatican II and the immediate post-Vatican II eras who have drifted from active involvement, there are degrees of hostility and anger.  Those who are 45 or younger are more prone to apathy. 

by Ann Marie Foley