“Bless me Father ” Dublin Diocesan Confession Initiative

07 Apr 2014

The Archbishop of Dublin, Diarmuid Martin, is asking city centre shoppers and commuters to consider receiving the Sacrament of Reconciliation before Easter, even if it has been many years since their last Confession.

This Saturday and the following Saturday, priests will be available in twelve city Churches, north and south of the Liffey, for over eight hours allowing ample time for anyone considering it to come back to Confession. Dublin Churches taking part in the “Light is on for You” initiative have helpful leaflets aimed at people returning to Confession after a long time, to assist them to prepare and reflect on the Sacrament  

In a letter to priests and parishes all over the Archdiocese encouraging as many as possible to take part in this initiative, Archbishop Martin said “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 the “The Light is Still on for You” initiative was inspired by a call from Pope Francis who earlier this year set out a challenge: “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”. (Pope Francis)

The Dublin city churches taking part will provide Confessions continually this Saturday, 12th and again on 19th April, from 9.30am until 6pm. There will be a number of confessors available throughout the day so that sufficient time will be available for people to have a conversation about their life.  

Churches taking part close to the city centre include:

  • Saint Mary’s, Pro-Cathedral                                 
  • Saint Andrew’s, Westland Row                    
  • Saint Francis Xavier, Gardiner Street
  • Saint Teresa’s, Clarendon Street              
  • Our Lady Queen of Peace, Merrion Rd.
  • Blessed Sacrament Chapel, Bachelors Walk     
  • Saint Joseph’s, Berkely Road
  • Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Whitefriar St.             
  • Our Lady Refuge of Sinners, Rathmines
  • Saint John’s Priory, Johns Lane
  • Saint Saviours, Dominick Street
  • Saint Mary’s, Haddington Road

 Further Information: Annette O Donnell- Director of Communications 087 8143462 www.dublindiocese.ie