Q351 – Can one go to Confession during Sunday Mass and still fulfill the Sunday obligation properly?

Transcript:

First, it is not true what you are stating that before the Council, there were no confessions during Mass. It was very common and widespread all over the world for centuries, I repeated, for centuries, that during Mass, confessors were available, and people used them. Of course, until the 20th century, people did not receive Communion so frequently. So when they went to Sunday Mass and felt the necessity to confess, there were confessors available.

In old churches, especially in Europe, it is impressive: when you enter an old baroque church, there are several confessionals on both sides, along the walls, five, six, seven, even ten. This was a clear sign that they were very much used by the people.

So I repeat, it is possible. There is no canonical impediment or prohibition that prevents priests from hearing confessions during Holy Mass, another priest, I mean. And it is a good means to help people who would otherwise remain in a state of mortal sin. Even living in mortal sin for a couple of days is a huge burden for the conscience.

So, when a person comes to Sunday Mass and a priest is available, even during Mass, and that person knows he has committed a grave sin and cannot remain in that state until the next Saturday, this becomes a grace. It is a grace of God for him to cleanse his soul through this possibility.

There are different situations of souls. We cannot limit confession to only Saturdays or expect that all people will come then. This is not very realistic from a pastoral point of view. For the salvation of souls, the Church must be more generous, more inventive, in helping people to cleanse their souls, of course, with serious repentance and preparation.

Today, it is common in traditional parishes for priests to hear confessions during Holy Mass. And I repeat, there is no prohibition. It can really help many people and benefit their souls, whether they are preparing to go to Communion or simply taking the opportunity to go to confession.

In ancient times, for example in Europe, many parishes, even smaller ones, had a parish priest with two chaplains or vicars. On Saturdays, people often didn’t work, or only until midday. They had time to prepare for Sunday, and they went to church and confessed. Of course, this is also possible, and it remains a good practice.

But now we live in a different time, a different style of life. In our modern era, the Church also has to take this into account. The greatest and most important law is the salvation of souls. And when it helps people, the Church is right to offer confessions even during Mass.