Confessions during the Holy year 2021

[Peter Ray]

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]

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.

 

[Former member 49149]

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]

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.

Thank-you...

 

[DLJ]

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.

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]

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]

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.

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]

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

 

[Scott Sweeney]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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"