As Catholics, the Church calls us to receive the Sacrament of Confession at least once a year, and more if we need.
Many Catholics tie their Confession habit to Advent or Lent, traditional seasons of penance, or include it as part of their regular errands throughout the week.
Regular spiritual habits like going to Confession and Mass have long been associated with positive mental and physical health -- and of course spiritual health! Catholics who go to Mass at least monthly score above national benchmarks on human flourishing.
Those who go to Confession regularly report the highest levels — particularly in meaning, peace, and overall well-being.
But what if it’s been a while since you went to Confession? What if the habit isn’t there?
A new study, small but insightful, from Catholic Pulse Report, found that nearly 70% of Catholics who have not gone to Confession in the past year want to go:
Confession is one of the Church’s most powerful sacraments, and one of its most misunderstood. The findings reveal not a fading devotion, but a people quietly longing to return.
If the desire is there, what is holding people back? You might be surprised to learn that the barrier isn’t logistics, but a matter of the heart.
A flood of God’s mercy
The majority of Catholics who are not currently going to Confession have not rejected the sacrament. Two-thirds “say they are open to going more often or that they would like to go more often.”
What’s holding them back is personal, not practical. Seventy percent of lapsed Catholics and 81% of those whose last Confession experience was in childhood say they can ask God for forgiveness directly in prayer rather than going to Confession.
To answer this obstacle, greater catechesis is needed. People need to understand that Confession is part of Jesus' plan for forgiveness. Perhaps just a simple read-through of the numbers on Confession in the Catechism would be a very good start. Here they are.
Other things that discourage participation? Feelings of embarrassment, and uncertainty about the process.
What draws people back to the Sacrament is the desire to experience God’s forgiveness and mercy. Nearly 8 in 10 Catholics (79%) say this is a top reason they would return to Confession.
Here are the practical takeaways from the report.
1Lead with mercy
Seeking forgiveness and God’s mercy is the biggest draw of the Sacrament — so let’s start there, both from the pulpit and in how we all talk about Confession.
Forty-three percent of those who go infrequently say they would go more often if they heard that struggling with the same sins is normal. An equal percentage desire a greater emphasis on mercy over judgment.
It can help to hear a priest’s perspective, affirming that Confession is a beautiful outpouring of God’s love and mercy.
2Rejoice in the graces of the Sacrament
Among those who go to Confession, approximately two-thirds report a clear sense of forgiveness, reassurance of God’s mercy, and interior peace.
If that sounds familiar, don’t be shy about sharing the joy that Confession brings you.
There is something distinct and special that comes from receiving this Sacrament — from speaking your sins aloud, talking them over with a priest, and receiving the grace of absolution — that just does not feel the same as asking God for forgiveness on your own.
Let’s look for opportunities to share in our own ways why this sacrament is so valuable.
3Logistics aren’t the biggest barrier, but problem solving them can’t hurt
How can you make it really, really easy for people at your parish to get to Confession?
A highly effective tactic is to offer Confession before Sunday Masses — a practice that used to be very common but has fallen by the wayside as many parishes don’t have enough priests to make this feasible.
So that might not be an option, but you can still offer Confession at highly accessible times. A parish near me offers it on Friday evenings, which is pretty uncommon around here, but it’s always very well attended. You might poll parishioners to see what times are most convenient for your community.
4Invite, invite, invite
Knowing that a majority of Catholics who haven’t gone to Confession in the past year would actually like to go is already highly significant.
Parishes can look for many opportunities to invite people to Confession — from the pulpit, in the bulletin, on the website, and in mailers sent home — and encourage all those involved in ministry to mention it to the people they serve.
And of course, pray for all our fellow Catholics. Your invitation or your prayer might be just the thing that tips the scales to help someone come back to Confession and experience the joy of God's abundant mercy.
And just for fun, here are 5 saints who spent extremely long hours hearing confessions every day:
