Confession times near me

When parishes usually hear confessions

Each parish sets its own schedule, but these patterns are typical across the United States. Always confirm with the parish before making the trip.

• Saturday afternoon — roughly 3:00 to 4:30 PM. The most common slot by far, scheduled before the Saturday vigil Mass. If you only remember one thing, remember this.
• Before weekday or Sunday Masses. Many parishes have a priest in the confessional for 20 to 30 minutes before some Masses — for example before a morning weekday Mass.
• One weekday evening. Some parishes add an evening slot, often Wednesday or Thursday, for people who work on Saturdays.
• Downtown churches, cathedrals and shrines. These often hear confessions daily, sometimes for several hours, precisely because they serve people from all over the area. In large cities this is the best option on short notice.
• By appointment. Nearly every priest will hear a confession by appointment. Call the parish office — this is also a good option if you would prefer a longer, unhurried conversation.

The confession schedule is listed on the parish website and in the weekly bulletin, usually right next to the Mass times. Where a parish publishes its schedule, our directory listings show it.

How to find confession times near you

1. Find the parishes near you with the location finder above, or browse Catholic churches by state and city.
2. Check the parish website or bulletin for “Confessions” or “Reconciliation.”
3. Look further than your own parish. If your parish only hears confessions on Saturday afternoon and you work then, a nearby cathedral, shrine or downtown church may have daily times.
4. Watch for seasonal penance services in Advent and Lent (see below), when many priests are available at once.
5. Arrive early on busy days. Lines are longest on the Saturday before Christmas and Easter and during Holy Week. If the line is long when the scheduled time ends, priests usually keep hearing confessions, but not always.

How to go to confession, step by step

The form is simple, and the priest will gently guide you if you forget anything. Tell him if it has been a long time — that is common and welcome.

1. Prepare beforehand by examining your conscience (see the next section).
2. Choose face-to-face or behind the screen. Most confessionals let you kneel behind a screen anonymously or sit facing the priest. Either is fine.
3. Begin:make the Sign of the Cross and say, “Bless me, Father, for I have sinned. It has been [how long] since my last confession.”
4. Confess your sins simply and honestly. Mortal (serious) sins should be named with their kind and, roughly, how often. You do not need to tell long stories.
5. Listen to the priest, who may offer brief advice and will give you a penance — usually a prayer or an action.
6. Pray an Act of Contrition.A common version: “My God, I am sorry for my sins with all my heart. In choosing to do wrong and failing to do good, I have sinned against you whom I should love above all things. I firmly intend, with your help, to do penance, to sin no more, and to avoid whatever leads me to sin. Our Savior Jesus Christ suffered and died for us. In his name, my God, have mercy.” Cards with the prayer are often posted in the confessional, and you may read it.
7. Receive absolution. The priest says the prayer of absolution; you answer “Amen.”
8. Complete your penance soon afterwards — often in the church before you leave.

Examining your conscience: the basics

An examination of conscience is a quiet review of your life since your last confession. Many people use the Ten Commandments as a framework, asking honest questions such as:

• Have I made time for God — prayer, and Mass on Sundays and holy days?
• Have I used God's name with disrespect?
• Have I honored and cared for my parents and family?
• Have I harmed anyone through anger, violence, or neglect — or held on to hatred?
• Have I been faithful and chaste in thought and action?
• Have I stolen, cheated, or failed to pay what I owe?
• Have I lied, gossiped, or damaged someone's reputation?
• Have I been envious or greedy, or neglected people in need?

Printed examinations — including versions for children, teens, married people and those returning after many years — are often available at the back of the church and on diocesan websites. Spend five or ten minutes in prayer with one before you get in line.

Penance services in Advent and Lent

During Advent (the four weeks before Christmas) and Lent (the forty days before Easter), many parishes hold a communal penance service, usually on a weekday evening. It begins with Scripture readings, a short homily and a guided examination of conscience; then several priests — often invited from neighboring parishes — hear individual confessions at stations around the church. These services are an excellent choice if you are nervous or have been away a long time, since the lines move quickly and the setting is calm.

Many dioceses also run a Lenten initiative under which every parish keeps its church open with confessions available on the same weekday evening each week. Watch your diocese's website and parish bulletins from Ash Wednesday onward.

Who can go to confession, and how often

The sacrament is for baptized Catholics. Church law asks Catholics to confess serious sins at least once a year, and the Church teaches that someone aware of mortal sin should go to confession before receiving Communion. Many Catholics go far more often — monthly is common — for the grace of the sacrament itself.

If you are not Catholic, you cannot receive sacramental absolution, but most priests are glad to talk or pray with you; ask for an appointment. Everything said in confession is protected by the seal of confession, which binds the priest absolutely — he may never reveal what he hears, under any circumstances.

After confession

Do your penance, and if you can, stay for the next Mass — since most confessions are heard right before the Saturday vigil, that is easy. Some people also like to spend a few minutes in quiet prayer at an adoration chapel.

Frequently asked questions