BRIDGEPORT—Thousands across the diocese and the greater New York City area turned out yesterday for Reconciliation Monday.
Bishop Caggiano called for participation in Reconciliation Monday to encourage people to experience the healing and blessing of Confession and “to be reconciled to the Lord in advance of Easter.”
This year the Diocese of Bridgeport joined the Archdiocese of New York and the Diocese of Brooklyn and Diocese of Rockville Centre in the observance, which may have brought more than 100,000 people in the Metropolitan area to the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
The invitation to participate Reconciliation Monday was created in the joyful spirit of Pope Francis who said, “Now is the time to be reconciled with God. Staying on the path of evil is only a source of sadness.”
Priests from 27 churches throughout the Diocese of Bridgeport heard Confessions yesterday from 3 pm to 9 pm.
“While this is a new spiritual practice in our Diocese, the observance of Reconciliation Monday has become a tradition in the Dioceses adjacent to us for many years. It has grown in popularity in part because every Catholic knows that Sacrament of Reconciliation is available in every Catholic Church,” said the Bishop who thanked the priests and all those who participated.
Many people took to diocesan social media to express gratitude for the idea and to share their enthusiastic response to the Bishop’s call for extra Confession hours during Holy Week.
Louise Dunn of Stamford, who joined many others who came to St. Cecelia Church in Stamford reported that more than 30 people were in line for Confessions when she arrived, but it was one line people didn’t mind waiting in.
She was happy to see so many other people eager to participate in the Sacrament of Reconciliation at 4:30 in the afternoon. “ Thank you for the idea and for the priests who made the idea work,” she said.
“The Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation provides a profound opportunity to be freed from our personal sins and to experience the healing love of Christ for you and me,” said Bishop Caggiano. “In terms of spiritual healing, we must never forget that this precious gift is always available, simply for the asking.”
