Archbishop Jose Gomez of Los Angeles hears confessions at a youth conference in 2017. (Victor Aleman, Angelus News / CNS)
Conversations between 20-something Catholics struggling toward sainthood
Lenny* is a millennial and a parishioner at Our Lady of Good Counsel. She just started going back to confession regularly this Lent and was surprised to find long lines, welcoming priests, and a simple penance. She shared her experience with her friend, Pam,* and The B.C. Catholic, March 15.
Lenny: So, I did
face-to-face confession tonight! Face-to-face is harder, but those have been my
favourite confession experiences.
Pam: Wow! That must have been such a rich experience. You’re going to confession regularly now?
Lenny: Yeah, but not usually face-to-face. Priests from other parishes are coming to Our Lady of Good Counsel to help with confessions. Lent is such a bumpin’ time for confessions.
Pam: Did the priest say anything that has resonated with you, that you’re okay with sharing?
Lenny: He mainly talked about chastity. I think the reason why I like the face-to-face confessions is because they involve more sharing and dialogue with the priest.
Pam: What made you go to confession tonight?
Lenny: Oh, I’ve been going to Wednesday novena Mass every week for the last month.
Pam: Do you go with your fiancé, Dan?
Lenny: By myself mostly, because Dan’s working night shifts. He likes it at OLGC these days though, because he likes the more relaxed vibe. Sometimes he feels pressured when people’s outfits are on fleek at other parishes. I know the importance of “Sunday Best,” just saying that’s how he feels.
Pam: Wait, so do you go to confession every week at the Wednesday novena Mass, or did you just feel the need tonight looking at the line-ups?
Lenny: I go pretty regularly. I noticed that during Lent, the lines are way longer! There’s usually only one priest, but there have been three priests these past few weeks.
Pam: That’s awesome!
Lenny: I teared up tonight. I just felt guilty, and that I failed, but at the same time, I felt blessed and so happy. The priest had such a gentle and loving vibe that he made me feel at home. Even though I was all teary-eyed, I was smiling.
His penance was so simple, and at the same time not, because it was action-based. It wasn’t your typical “say five Hail Marys.” Not that there’s anything wrong with that! But he said: “Be thankful.” Just like that. Simple, but not easy to execute!
And then after all the talking he looked at me with a smile, and said, “So, are you sorry?” I said, “I am.” That’s when I felt that my tears went from guilty tears to happy tears.
Pam: I wish I could share this with Matt. The last time I asked him whether he was receiving Jesus the best way he can, he spent five straight days grappling with what to confess, because he hadn’t gone for 10 years. But he ended up going to Confession and bringing his mom to boot! But since then, he hasn’t really felt the need to – I hope he’ll go again this Lent, just because it’s so good to start clean, you know?
Lenny: Yes, share this! We could go to Star of the Sea.
Pam: Double-date time? I just want Matt to see that there’s cool priests in our Archdiocese, with real-life experiences to share. Great homilies, to-the-point, and just loving.
Lenny is a member of Our Lady of Good Counsel Parish; Pam is a member of St. Joseph the Worker Parish in Richmond. *Names changed.