Why Young Adults Seek Confession

As coordinator of the SMG Young Adult group, for those in their 20s and 30s, I recently met with representatives from the Diocese about their efforts to engage young adults. Discussing the vibrant young adult community at our parish, I singled out one aspect of parish life as especially attractive – abundant Confession times.

From my seat in the pew, the Sacrament of Penance has gone through a much-needed revitalization that I trace, in part, back to the 2016 Jubilee Year of Mercy. This rediscovery of the beauty of Confession is necessary if the Eucharistic Revival is to succeed – to receive Christ worthily requires a clean heart. In John 13, Jesus, about to wash the feet of the Apostles the night before his Passion, says “If I do not wash you, you have no part in me.” Peter characteristically responds “Lord, not my feet only but also my hands and my head!” We must have the same attitude – God, before I receive You in Communion, thoroughly cleanse me from my sin.

Psalm 119 says “How can a young man keep his way pure? Only by observing your words.” The world, awash as it is in sin and its wages, offers us many opportunities to fail at observing God’s words and, as a result, damage our relationship with Him. Glancing at the Confession line any given Sunday (and other times) will reveal an overrepresentation of young adults, but I like to think it’s due to a solid understanding of the Church’s teachings on worthy reception rather than being especially prone to sin. Regardless, the Sacrament of Penance restores the broken relationship – after confessing our sins against God and others, we are absolved and, like the Prodigal Son, welcomed back with the robe and ring that affirm our dignity as children of God.

At 7 p.m. on the First Friday of each month, the Young Adults host Cor ad Cor, which means “Heart to Heart.” On the day traditionally devoted to making reparations to the Sacred Heart of Jesus for all the sin and sacrilege in the world, we gather to adore Christ and to seek Reconciliation. With two priests offering Confession for nearly an hour, dozens of young adults are able to receive forgiveness. Every time I’m at Cor ad Cor, I thank God for our priests, who allow us to encounter Christ face to face, and also for the graces poured out during this special time.

The Young Adults group strives to provide many spiritual, social, and service opportunities, so follow us on Facebook, via our weekly email list, or in the parish bulletin for details on upcoming events.