by Ma. Suzette F. Custodio
Thanks to the advancement in technology, we are given the opportunity to attend Mass online and even receive the Eucharist through spiritual communion. Sadly, this is not the case when one needs to go to confession – the Church does not offer an alternative which will allow us to do it virtually. The sacrament requires an in-person meeting, and the idea of the confined space of the confessional box just goes totally against the new norms of social distancing.
Fortunately, the National Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes, which has always been an advocate of the Sacrament of Reconciliation, did not allow the COVID-19 pandemic let going to confession take a backseat.
Since last year, our Capuchin priests have continued hearing confessions inside a re-purposed room within the church compound. Our family (with children ranging from 10 to 26 years old) have gone to confession three times since the pandemic started. We were apprehensive at first but seeing the set safety protocols, it made us feel comfortable to go back during last year’s Advent preparation and most recently this Holy Week. Wearing the facemask and shield served as the substitute to the holed divider we are used to in the confessional box that kept the face-to-face meeting less awkward.
Just recently, NSOLL’s new parish priest Fr. Jefferson Agustin, OFMCap added another room to accommodate more parishioners who wish to avail of the sacrament on the scheduled confession hours. Called Reconciliation Rooms, these two rooms are located just across the Parish Office with provisions for ample space and suitable ventilation. We commend the efforts of the parish to ensure that no one will miss the sacrament.
For those who would like to go to confession, daily schedules from Monday to Saturday are at 8:00am. Sunday schedules are 8:00am, 10:30am and 5:00pm. Confessions are by appointment through the Parish Office. You may drop by during office hours or call 8731-9306.
NSOLL Parish Office hours are from Monday to Saturday 8:00am to 11:30am and 2:00pm to 5:30pm, and Sundays 8:00am to 5:00pm.
About Ma. Suzette F. Custodio: Together with her spouse Jing Y. Custodio, they serve the Parish Pastoral Team as DCPA 1 Coordinators, Integrating Families in the Life of the Church.
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