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Catholic Confession

Catholic Confession Times Near You

Find the sacrament of reconciliation (confession) at a Catholic parish near you. Browse confession schedules — Saturday afternoons, before daily Mass, and by-appointment options — at parishes across the United States.

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How Catholic confession scheduling works

The sacrament of reconciliation — commonly called confession — is available at every Catholic parish. Most parishes hear confessions on Saturday afternoons before the vigil Mass, with common slots between 3:00 and 4:30 PM. Many parishes also offer confession 30 minutes before daily Mass on weekdays.

For times outside the regular schedule, almost every Catholic church will hear confessions by appointment. Call the parish office and ask for a time with the pastor or one of the parochial vicars; this is especially common for first-time confessions or particularly long ones where extra time with the priest is helpful.

Holy weeks — Advent and Lent in particular — typically add reconciliation services with multiple priests available, plus extra confession times at most parishes.

Each Catholic parish sets its own schedule. To find confession times for a specific parish, search the directory by parish name, city, or state.

Frequently asked questions

When do Catholic parishes hear confessions?
Most Catholic parishes hear confessions on Saturday afternoons before the vigil Mass — common slots are 3:00 PM to 4:30 PM. Many parishes also offer confession 30 minutes before daily Mass, and most are happy to schedule confession by appointment with the pastor. Each parish sets its own schedule; check the parish page for exact times.
How do you do confession in the Catholic Church?
Catholic confession follows a simple pattern: enter the confessional (or face-to-face room), make the Sign of the Cross, and say "Bless me Father, for I have sinned. It has been [time] since my last confession." Confess your sins simply and honestly. The priest will offer counsel and assign a penance — usually a short prayer or action. You then say the Act of Contrition, the priest gives absolution, and you leave to complete your penance. The whole thing typically takes 5 to 10 minutes.
What do I say in confession?
After the opening greeting, simply name your sins as clearly as you can — what you did, and roughly how often. You don’t have to use formal language; honesty matters more than precision. If you’re nervous or unsure how to articulate something, the priest will help. Most parishes also have an examination of conscience pamphlet near the confessional to help you prepare.
Can I go to confession by appointment?
Yes. Almost every Catholic parish will hear confessions by appointment if the regular schedule does not work for you. Call the parish office or send an email and ask for a time with the pastor or one of the parochial vicars.
Can non-Catholics go to confession?
The sacrament of reconciliation is reserved for baptized Catholics. Non-Catholics interested in the Catholic faith are welcome to speak with a priest pastorally — many parishes invite this kind of conversation as part of RCIA (the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults). For sacramental confession, a person needs to be baptized Catholic and in a state where they have been catechized.
Why do Catholics confess to a priest?
Catholics confess to a priest because Jesus gave the apostles authority to forgive sins (John 20:23) and that authority has been passed down through ordination. The priest acts in the person of Christ — he doesn’t forgive sins on his own authority but pronounces God’s forgiveness through the words of absolution. This is why a valid confession requires a priest in the apostolic succession.
What is the difference between confession and reconciliation?
They are two names for the same sacrament — the sacrament of reconciliation, also commonly called confession. Some parishes label it one way on their schedule and the other way in catechesis materials, but it is the same act: confessing sins to a priest and receiving absolution.
How do I find confession times for a specific Catholic church?
Use the parish directory — search by parish name, city, or state. Each parish page lists confession times alongside Mass schedules and contact info.
Do I need to make an appointment for confession?
No appointment is needed for the regular scheduled confession times posted by each parish. You only need to make an appointment if those times do not work for you, or for a particularly long or first-time confession where you want extra time with the priest.

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