The novena booklets versions of 1951, 1953, 1973 and 2016 give instructions to the devotees on how to make the perpetual novena. During the Novena, the devotees are encouraged to make a good confession. In fact, the 1951 novena states, “The surest way of obtaining a favourable answer to your petition is to go to Confession and receive Holy Communion on Novena Day.” Many devotees are encouraged to go to confession in the shrine perhaps because of the availability of the sacrament of reconciliation.  Confessions are heard daily in the Shrine, except Sundays, at almost every hour of the day. On Wednesdays, the Confessional boxes are occupied all day long.

The shortage of priests, however, cannot cope with the thousands of devotees wanting to go to confession. Confessions is particularly heavy on First Wednesdays and the seasons of Lent and Advent. Thus on First Wednesdays, and all Wednesdays during the penitential seasons of Lent and general absolution is administered after the individual confessions. This is with a special permission from the local ordinary.

​General absolution

The Rite for the Reconciliation of Several Penitents with General Absolution—”Then there is the third way, a collective form of reconciliation with a single, general absolution. This form, however, is by way of exception, of necessity, in cases sanctioned by the bishops, and with the continuing obligation of individual [confession] of grave sins, that is, mortal sins, at a later time.” Does a penitent have to confess the sin forgiven in General Absolution again?

According to canon law, “a person who has had serious sins remitted by a general absolution is to approach individual confession as soon as there is an opportunity to do so before receiving another general absolution unless a just cause intervenes” (CIC, c. 963). Through individual confession, the penitent experiences the healing power of Christ through a personal encounter not made present in the anonymity of the third rite.

The celebration of the sacrament of reconciliation makes the Shrine an important centre of spiritual renewal. In shrines, we celebrate the “joy of forgiveness.” The sacrament also served another purpose besides individual confession. Referral to social services of the shrine. Family issues, migrant issues, immediate needs, work