Penance services in Lent and Advent: what to expect

A Lenten penance service is an evening when a parish gathers to pray together and then offers individual confessions, with several priests hearing them at once. You listen to Scripture and a short homily, examine your conscience, pray a prayer of sorrow with everyone, and then go to one of the priests to confess your own sins and receive absolution. Parishes hold them in Lent and Advent, and they're one of the easiest ways to go to Confession.

What is a penance service?

The Church's ritual for Confession, the Rite of Penance, gives three ways to celebrate the sacrament. The first is the one most people know: one person, one priest, at the usual confession times. The second is a communal celebration with individual confession and absolution. That second form is what parishes call a penance service, or a communal reconciliation service.

The prayers and readings happen together. The confession itself is still personal and private. You tell your sins to a priest, one on one, and he absolves you individually, just as on a Saturday afternoon.

This is different from general absolution, where a priest absolves a group without individual confession. That third form is allowed only in rare cases of grave necessity, such as danger of death (more in general absolution: when it's allowed). A parish penance service in Lent is not general absolution, and you do confess your own sins.

What happens at a Lenten penance service?

The outline is set by the Rite of Penance. Parishes fill it in their own way, but you can expect something like this:

1. Opening. A hymn, a greeting from the priest and an opening prayer.
2. Readings. One or more passages from Scripture, often about God's mercy, such as the prodigal son.
3. A short homily. The priest speaks briefly about sin, conversion and forgiveness.
4. Examination of conscience. Usually a few minutes of quiet, sometimes with questions read aloud or printed in the program.
5. A prayer of sorrow together. Usually the Confiteor ("I confess to almighty God...") and a short litany or song, then the Our Father together.
6. Individual confessions. Priests take places around the church and people line up to confess one by one.
7. Closing. A prayer of thanksgiving and a blessing. Some parishes ask everyone to stay for it; many let you leave quietly after your confession and penance. Follow what's announced.

The whole service often runs an hour or more, depending on how many people come. Your own time with the priest is usually short.

What is the confession itself like?

Much like any confession, only shorter. When it's your turn, go to the priest and begin as usual. If you like, start with "Bless me, Father, for I have sinned. It's been about a year since my last confession." Then name your sins plainly.

The priest gives you a penance and absolves you. Because the whole church already prayed a prayer of sorrow together, some priests don't ask for an Act of Contrition at this point; others do. Have one ready just in case. If you need a refresher, see what happens in confession.

Expect less conversation than usual. With long lines and limited time, the priest will often keep his advice to a sentence or two. That's normal and doesn't mean he's rushing you.

Will there be a screen?

Not always. At penance services, priests often sit in chairs in side aisles, chapels or corners of the church, face to face. Some parishes put out a portable screen, and the regular confessional is usually in use too. If you'd rather confess behind a screen, look for the confessional or ask an usher. Our page on face to face or behind the screen covers your options.

When are penance services held?

In Lent, most parishes hold one, often in the weeks before Holy Week. In Advent, many hold one in mid-December, before Christmas. They're usually on a weeknight.

Because each service needs several priests, neighboring parishes often schedule theirs on different nights and lend each other their priests. So if you miss your own parish's evening, there's often another one nearby the same week. Check:

• Your parish bulletin or website.
• Nearby parishes' websites, especially in the same deanery or town.
• Your diocese's website. Some dioceses post a Lent or Advent confession schedule for every parish, and some keep churches open for confession on set weeknights in Lent.

Many Catholics also make their yearly confession in Lent, before receiving Communion at Easter (more in the Easter duty). A penance service is an easy way to do it.

Why go to a penance service?

It's easier to show up. You're one of many people coming for the same reason. For anyone who is nervous or coming back after years, that helps.

You can choose the priest. Visiting priests from other parishes are there too. If you'd rather confess to someone who doesn't know you, you can.

It reminds you sin isn't only private. Every sin touches the people around you. Asking for mercy together, as a parish, says that out loud, and so does the joy at the end.

The examination is guided. The readings, homily and quiet time do some of the preparing for you.

How to prepare

1. Examine your conscience the night before. The time set aside during the service is short. Do the real work at home, with an examination of conscience.
2. Bring a short list. A few lines on paper or your phone. Name each sin plainly and, for serious ones, roughly how often.
3. Be brief. The line behind you may be long. Confess clearly and simply, without long backstory. If you need extended advice, it's fine to make a separate appointment with a priest later.
4. Arrive early. Lines form quickly once the confessions begin, and coming early gives you a few quiet minutes to pray first.
5. Remember your penance. When the priest gives it, say it back to yourself. If it's a prayer, you can pray it in a pew before you leave.

If you've never been to one

Just come. You don't need to register, and you can sit anywhere. Follow along with the program or with the people around you. When the confessions begin, an usher or the priest will usually explain how the lines work.

If it's your first confession in a long time, tell the priest at the start. He hears that often at penance services, and he'll help you through it.