Confessions during the Holy year 2021

Peter Ray

New Member

Time of past OR future Camino

Camino 2017

• Sep 11, 2020

• #1

My wife and I are planning to cycle the Camino Frances from Leon in the Fall of 2021. We would like to go to confession at the Cathedral in Santiago when we complete our journey. Being the fact that it is a Holy Year I was wondering how the confessional set up might look like ? I suspect the logistics for priests and confessionals would be daunting in view of the thousands of pilgrims that will be participating during the Holy year. Has anyone had first hand experience in this matter during a Holy year ? Any advice or insights would be appreciated. Thanks.

 

Isca-camigo

Veteran Member

Time of past OR future Camino

Various ones.

• Sep 11, 2020

• #2

I literally arrived as midday mass was starting on the last Saturday in November in 2010, it think it was a 'puente weekend' so Santiago was packed as was the cathedral, we had to stand with the many other hundreds of people to the side and the back. The girl I was with at the end of the mass went to a box about 2 metres away and the priest took her confession, it was as simple as that. It may have changed,I hope not.

 

F

Former member 49149

Guest

• Sep 11, 2020

• #3

Support the Anglican Camino Chaplaincy 2020

Due to Covid-19 there will be no Camino Chaplaincy this year here in Santiago. Please check for online events here: Summary of activity in the first two seasons: 2018 – The Chaplaincy started as a …

egeria.house

Things have moved on a bit, and the above is a link to the Anglican chaplaincy. I know there is a room upstairs in the pilgrim office building, where a couple of Irish Sisters offer a welcome, including a cup of Barry’s tea. There are other Assocviation welcome offices, and they will all have up to date information.

 

Peter Ray

New Member

Time of past OR future Camino

Camino 2017

• Sep 11, 2020

• #4

Isca-camigo said:

I literally arrived as midday mass was starting on the last Saturday in November in 2010, it think it was a 'puente weekend' so Santiago was packed as was the cathedral, we had to stand with the many other hundreds of people to the side and the back. The girl I was with at the end of the mass went to a box about 2 metres away and the priest took her confession, it was as simple as that. It may have changed,I hope not.

Click to expand...

Thank-you...

 

DLJ

Active Member

Time of past OR future Camino

2018

• Sep 11, 2020

• #5

Peter Ray said:

My wife and I are planning to cycle the Camino Frances from Leon in the Fall of 2021. We would like to go to confession at the Cathedral in Santiago when we complete our journey. Being the fact that it is a Holy Year I was wondering how the confessional set up might look like ? I suspect the logistics for priests and confessionals would be daunting in view of the thousands of pilgrims that will be participating during the Holy year. Has anyone had first hand experience in this matter during a Holy year ? Any advice or insights would be appreciated. Thanks.

Click to expand...

In light of the Pandemic, this Holy Year, will-likely have no resemblance to Holy Years past. Masks and safe distancing will most likely still apply as it does now in the Cathedral. There will not be as in the past thousands crowded together.

 

DLJ

Active Member

Time of past OR future Camino

2018

• Sep 11, 2020

• #6

I suspect the Pandemic regulations will take precedence over Holy Year activities. Masks and safe distancing will still be required. Have you seen any of Ivar's tours of the Cathedral, it only seats about 75 people? I don't imagine there will be the usual thousands crowded together. Since opening the borders, Spain's covid19 rate has climbed above the original high. If you meet any Catholic priest anywhere, you can always ask him to hear your confession. Wear a mask.

 

Peter Ray

New Member

Time of past OR future Camino

Camino 2017

• Sep 11, 2020

• #7

DLJ said:

I suspect the Pandemic regulations will take precedence over Holy Year activities. Masks and safe distancing will still be required. Have you seen any of Ivar's tours of the Cathedral, it only seats about 75 people? I don't imagine there will be the usual thousands crowded together. Since opening the borders, Spain's covid19 rate has climbed above the original high. If you meet any Catholic priest anywhere, you can always ask him to hear your confession. Wear a mask.

Click to expand...

Thanks...you are probably very correct... I guess, I was thinking in terms of a working vaccine that has brought about the world returning to a near normal state. Wishful thinking.

 

DLJ

Active Member

Time of past OR future Camino

2018

• Sep 11, 2020

• #8

A world vaccine would be the best answer to prayers for the Holy Year. Buen Camino!

 

Scott Sweeney

Veteran Member

• Sep 20, 2020

• #9

Or make confession at your home parish. I doubt you commit to many sins on your camino. Then you could still receive communion at mass in the Cathedral.

 

Rebekah Scott

Camino Busybody

Donating Member

Time of past OR future Camino

Many, various, and continuing.

• Feb 11, 2021

• #10

Once things return to "normal," After you receive your Compostela at the Pilgrim Office, stop in at the chapel in the same building. English Mass is offered there, the Irish sisters mentioned above also staff the chapel. They can get you set up with an English-speaking priest to hear your confession.
You can also make your confession at the halfway point, at the Albergue Santa Cruz in Sahagun. It's staffed by Marist priests, a couple of whom speak excellent English and are happy to administer all kinds of sacraments to pilgrims.

 

Introibo

Active Member

Donating Member

Time of past OR future Camino

Camino Frances ( March 2015 )
Camino Portugues ( September 2015 )

• Feb 11, 2021

• #11

A non English speaking priest may have it's attractions
Having said that, in Rome for the opening of the Year of Mercy I selected a Chinese
priest who listed English as his 5th language. He turned out to be fluent, so left little
room to hide!

 

Arn

Veteran Member

Donating Member

• Feb 11, 2021

• #12

At the beginning of Mass, in most Catholic Churches, we say the Confiteor after which the Priest absolves us of venial sins. When I was last at the Cathedral in Santiago there were many open confessionals. In that some of the priests didn't speak English, we were handed a laminated card listing, by number, the most common or grievous sins. You picked one, or more, pointed them out to the priest and, as long as you are heartily sorry, the priest absolved you.
I have also taken the Irish Sisters route when the Cathedral was packed. Sadly, once I left the Pilgrim Office and stepped out into public the opportunity to sin "in my thoughts" is nearly unavoidable. Drat! Back to the Pilgrim Office after I purchase some very dark glasses.
Buen "Avert your eyes my son" Camino
Arn

 

Introibo

Active Member

Donating Member

Time of past OR future Camino

Camino Frances ( March 2015 )
Camino Portugues ( September 2015 )

• Feb 11, 2021

• #13

An Indian priest was telling us they used a similar numbering system as he moved around his very large parish where numerous dialects were spoken. My friend in all innocence asked "what if your sin isn't on the card?" The Indian priest took a sharp gasp of breath and said "I can assure you, its a very comprehensive list"