By Carol Glatz Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY (CNS) — As Catholics are encouraged to make going to confession a significant part of their lives during Lent, Pope Francis offered some quick tips to help people prepare for the sacrament of penance. After a brief explanation of why people should …

By John Stegeman The Catholic Telegraph  Anecdotal evidence of success poured into the the Archdiocese of Cincinnati central offices in the days after the March 18 one-day confession event dubbed “The Light is ON For You” but now some hard data has become available. The Worship Office sent a survey …

By John Stegeman The Catholic Telegraph  While 213 parishes were open for confession Tuesday, March 18, an exact count of penitents taking advantage of The Light is ON For You was not available. Still, many parishes reported long lines and many priests reported hearing from penitents who hadn’t been to …

By John Stegeman The Catholic Telegraph One catechetical joke asks the question, “What is the difference between a sinner and a saint? The answer — confession. According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, “after having attained the age of discretion, each of the faithful is bound by an obligation …

This coming March 18, the Archdiocese of Cincinnati is participating for the first time in a national campaign simply titled “The Light is On for You.” Begun in New York, it is a night where every parish throughout the archdiocese will have confessions offered from 7-9 p.m. It has met …

The following is a closer glance at the Sacrament of Reconciliation in light of the archdiocesan initiative “The Light is ON For You.” All parishes of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati will be open from 7-9 p.m. on March 18 to offer confession. Read more about that event here. “Those who …

Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY — If you haven’t been to confession recently, don’t wait, Pope Francis told people at his weekly general audience. One may walk into the confessional with a heavy heart, but forgiveness brings freedom and lightness. “If a lot of time has passed, don’t lose even …

By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service  VATICAN CITY (CNS) — The head of the Vatican office promoting new evangelization said that while he does not like the terms “Francis effect” or “Francis bump,” it is true that “Pope Francis has touched the hearts and minds of many people.” Archbishop Rino …

By Carol Glatz Catholic News Service  VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Going to confession isn’t like heading off to be tortured or punished, nor is it like going to the dry cleaners to get out a stain, Pope Francis said in a morning Mass homily. “It’s an encounter with Jesus” who …

Dear Friends in Christ, From the time that we were very young, perhaps too young to fully understand the words, we have known that Lent is a penitential season. Throughout these 40 days of preparation for Easter, the church calls us to a sober re-examination of our lives and our …