The Circus Maximus in Rome is hosting 200 confessionals for young pilgrims as part of the Jubilee of Youth. The confessionals will be open from 10:30 am to 6:00 pm on August 1st, offering the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Confession stations will be available in multiple languages, including Italian, Spanish, English, French, Portuguese, and Polish. The Youcat Foundation will distribute 10,000 copies of a book on confession during the 'Day of Penitence'.
5 months ago
Rome's ancient Circus Maximus was transformed into a vast open-air confessional on August 1, 2025, for a "Day of Penitence" during the Jubilee of Youth 1 3. This event allowed hundreds of thousands of young pilgrims to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation before their weekend gatherings with Pope Leo XIV 1.
Approximately 200 confessionals were available from 10:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., staffed by nearly 1,000 priests 1 3. These confessors offered services in 16 different languages, including Italian, Spanish, English, French, Portuguese, Polish, German, Hungarian, Slovak, Korean, Chinese, Swahili, and Vietnamese, to accommodate the diverse international pilgrims 1 3. Despite scorching temperatures, confessions continued uninterrupted, with over 25,000 individuals receiving the sacrament by the day's close 3.
Many young people expressed profound feelings of peace, freedom, and lightness after their confessions 3. Pilgrims described the experience as a "renewal" and a cleansing that makes them feel like a "reborn baby without any sins" 4. The event highlighted a perceived growing desire among young people for spiritual guidance and the Sacrament of Reconciliation, a trend noted by priests like Father Charles-Thierry Ndjandjo 3 4.
Participants emphasized that confession provides hope, demonstrating that God's love triumphs over sin and offers a path to becoming a "new creation" 4. The large turnout also served as a visible testament to the vitality of the Church among younger generations, indicating a return to faith and a search for meaning 4.
To support the penitential day, the Youcat Foundation distributed 10,000 copies of a special Jubilee of Youth edition of their book on confession 1. This updated text, available in Italian, English, French, and German, provides an accessible introduction to the sacrament, including an examination of conscience, explanations of its meaning, and helpful prayers 1.
What is the Church's teaching on confession?
The Catholic Church teaches that confession, also known as the Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation, is one of the seven sacraments instituted by Christ for the forgiveness of sins committed after Baptism. It is a sacrament of healing, offering spiritual restoration and reconciliation with God and the Church.
The Church emphasizes the necessity of confession for the forgiveness of mortal sins. While venial sins can be forgiven through other means, such as prayer, acts of charity, and reception of the Eucharist, mortal sins require sacramental confession for their forgiveness. The purpose of this sacrament is to restore the sinner to God's grace and to reconcile them with the Church community, which is wounded by sin.
The Sacrament of Penance involves several essential elements on the part of the penitent:
On the part of the minister, the priest acts in the person of Christ, exercising the power to forgive sins that Christ entrusted to His apostles. The priest's absolution, given in the name of the Holy Trinity, signifies God's forgiveness and reconciliation. The "seal of confession" obliges the priest to absolute secrecy regarding anything heard in confession.
The principal effects of the Sacrament of Penance are:
The Church encourages frequent confession, especially for those striving for spiritual perfection. While Catholics are obliged to confess all mortal sins at least once a year, more frequent reception of the sacrament is recommended for spiritual growth and to receive God's grace.