Confess Around the Clock Tonight

New York Parishes Offering 24 Hours of Confession

NEW YORK, MARCH 5, 2010 (Zenit.org).- The priests of New York will be burning the midnight oil as the archdiocese hosts its second annual "24 Hours of Confession" project this weekend.

Sponsored by the Cathedral of St. Patrick Young Adults and 51 participating parishes of the Archdiocese of New York, this one-day event will keep the Church and confessional doors open for a 24-hour period.

The archdiocese reports that 26 parishes from Manhattan, Bronx, Rockland, Westchester Dutchess and Staten Island Counties are participating, along with all 25 parishes in Orange County.

"24 Hours of Confession" was first held in Lent 2009 with the involvement of 20 Manhattan parishes.

Doors opened today at 7 a.m., and will be open until 7 a.m. Saturday morning.

Mario Bruschi, Director of the Cathedral of Saint Patrick Young Adults, commented on the importance of the initiative: "Catholics need to know that confession is all about God’s forgiveness and love and that the priest is there for them.

"In this Year of the Priest, the priests of the Archdiocese of New York are making a tremendous sacrifice to hear people’s confessions, to counsel them, and to give them comfort -- reminding people that confession can restore us when we sin.

"They are living the great example of St. John Vianney and St. Padre Pio, by bringing people back to Jesus Christ through this sacrament."

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On the Net:

For a complete list of participating parishes: http://www.archny.org/news-events/events-calendar/index.cfm?i=15403