FAIRFIELD COUNTY—“We invited all to reconcile with God and to celebrate Easter with clear hearts and minds,” said Father Ciprian Bejan, pastor at St. Lawrence Church in Shelton, one of the host parishes for Reconciliation Monday. St. Lawrence, like many of the other host churches in Fairfield County, requested additional priests to assist with confessions as they prepared for a “great number of people” who turned out during the day.
Reconciliation Monday was once again held throughout the Diocese of Bridgeport on Monday at the beginning of Holy Week. Those who had not yet had the chance to go to confession during Lent were urged to take this opportunity to experience God’s mercy. Twenty-five parishes, representing each of the nine Deaneries, opened their doors on April 11 from 3-9 pm to welcome the faithful.
Across the diocese, pastors encouraged their parishioners to avail themselves of the opportunity for confession by adding extra days and times for the sacrament, with many saying the response has been wonderful. Father Sam Kachuba, pastor of St. Pius in Fairfield, said that confession during Holy Week, however, especially resonates with people.
“Jesus accomplishes this week of mercy for us and for our sins,” he said. “On Reconciliation Monday, we come to Jesus asking for the gift of mercy. There is real beauty in that.”
Part of that beauty comes from the different types of confessions heard throughout Lent, Father Sam said. There are those who make their annual confession on Reconciliation Monday “to do their Easter duty,” those who have been away from the church and are moved to return for Lent, and those who go to confession regularly, making this a “wonderful mix” of people.
Whatever the motivation, it is a great gift, Father Sam said, that Catholics can go anywhere in the diocese for this sacrament on Reconciliation Monday. “Some prefer not to go to confession in their own parish, so they can go elsewhere. This is a chance for every parish to minister to everyone,” he added.
Throughout the day at St. Pius, which received assistance from Holy Family Church in Fairfield, priests heard six hours of continuous confessions, according to Father Sam, who commented that there was “not a gap, not a lull. There were always multiple confessions happening.”
This was also the case at the parishes of St. James and St. Mark in Stratford, leading them to be hopeful for a large turnout for Easter. “We were busy during all the times. I think we had over 100 confessions in the six hours,” said Father Birendra Soreng, pastor at St. Mark Church. “Being Holy Week, people understand how important this time is, and they understand the importance of the sacrament.”
Such thoughts on Holy Week were echoed by Fr. Sam. “When we come to confession, we are saying ‘yes’ to the Cross and ‘yes’ to Jesus,” he said. “We walk with Him on the way to the Cross. We are standing with Mary, we are there with Simon, and we are there as Veronica wipes Jesus’ face. There is great comfort in confession and in saying ‘yes’ to the gift of the Cross.”
Father Soreng said he too saw the comfort felt by those who came for forgiveness on Reconciliation Monday. “I heard confessions from people who had been gone for 30, even 40 years,” he said. Despite that time away, many have returned, praying for forgiveness in anticipation of the celebration of Easter.
By Emily Clark
