By Sarah Mac Donald - 04 April, 2014
Archbishop Diarmuid Martin of Dublin has launched a confession initiative in the capital for the final two Saturdays of Lent.
In a statement, he said the ‘Turn on the Light’ initiative would take place on 12 and 19 April at a number of churches in the city centre from 9.30am until 6pm.
A list of churches which will provide confessions continually over the two days has been published.
The Archbishop said a number of confessors will available throughout the day “so that ample time will be available for a conversation about your life.”
He continued, “The Light over the confessional is still on for you and I ask you to make the most of this special occasion of grace.”
Other parishes are being encouraged to take part in the initiative in their own way, while resources, posters and leaflets are being made available from the Office of Evangelisation.
In his statement, Archbishop Martin recalled that when asked by an interviewer who he considered himself to be, Pope Francis surprised many by responding that the best description of himself was: “I am a sinner”.
“Lent is the season of conversion and return to God. It is a time also in which we can rediscover the joy of the Sacrament of Reconciliation,” he said.
He added, “Earlier this year Pope Francis set out a challenge for us all: ‘I would like to ask you — but don’t say it aloud, everyone respond in his or her own heart: when was the last time you made your confession? Two days, two weeks, two years, twenty years, forty years? And if much time has passed, do not lose another day. Be courageous and go to Confession! Jesus will receive you; he will receive you with so much love.’”
