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Diocese of Wilmington to hold first-ever ‘Reconciliation Monday’

Charles MegginsonCulture, Headlines

Diocese

The Diocese of Wilmington on April 11 will hold its inaugural diocesan-wide ‘Reconciliation Monday.’

The event is designed to make it more convenient for Catholics to receive the sacrament at the end of Lent and the beginning of Holy Week in anticipation of the celebration of Easter.

Catholics from throughout the Diocese are invited to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation at any of the 56 parish churches in Delaware and Maryland’s Eastern Shore, on Monday, April 11 from 3 p.m. until 8 p.m.

 “It is traditional and desirable for Catholics to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation during Lent,” explained the Most Reverend William E. Koenig, Bishop of Wilmington. “By establishing ‘Reconciliation Monday’ in our diocese, we are making it easier for parishioners to experience the loving forgiveness of God.”

Koenig said the diocese is hoping that people who have fallen away from their faith will use the opportunity to prepare their hearts for a return to Mass at Easter.

“We invite all Catholics – whether it has been months, years, or decades since their last Confession – to take advantage of this diocesan-wide event in which all of our priests will participate,” Koenig said.

According to the diocese, ‘Reconciliation Monday’ was implemented years ago in the Diocese of Rockville Centre, New York, where Bishop Koenig served as a pastor prior to being appointed Bishop of Wilmington by Pope Francis last year.

Over the years it has grown to be a popular annual event in New York, held the day after Palm Sunday.

All parishes offer the Sacrament of Reconciliation on a regular basis. Many parishes offer penance services during Lent. This will be the first time in diocesan history that all parishes will hold concurrent confessions. 

While all parishes will participate, it is not possible for every mission church in the diocese to hold confessions due to the limited number of priests. Parishioners are encouraged to check their local parish website or visit this link before heading out.

The Catholic Diocese of Wilmington was established in 1868 and comprises 56 parishes, 18 missions and 27 schools serving the State of Delaware and the nine counties of Maryland’s Eastern Shore.  There are over 240,000 Catholics in the diocese. Information about the diocese is available at this link.

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