New Year’s resolutions are somewhat akin to the Sacrament of Reconciliation. We approach the confessional, reveal our sins to the priest and ask forgiveness of God. Then, we resolve not to commit the sins again. But few of us are successful in achieving the resolution to go and sin no more.
Another six-year-old American survey shows that three-quarters of Catholics report to never participating in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. About 12 per cent said they took advantage of the sacrament once a year.
And one doesn’t have to apply much science when attending local penitential services to realize that the numbers have been steadily falling. So, one in eight Catholics participate in confession once a year, but that number increases significantly among Catholics who say they attend Mass each week.
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