Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio in partnership with Timothy Cardinal Dolan of the Archdiocese of New York, and Bishop John Barres of the Diocese of Rockville Centre, are reminding New York Catholics that Monday, March 26, is Reconciliation Monday.

Parishes throughout the archdiocese and dioceses will be open for walk-in confessions that day from 3 to 9 p.m. The goal of Reconciliation Monday is to encourage Catholics to receive the sacrament of Reconciliation in preparation for Easter Sunday. This day also allows the faithful to confess their sins in anonymity, by offering an opportunity for them to go to a parish other than their own.

“This enables people to confess their sins with confidence and completeness,” said Bishop DiMarzio.

To promote Reconciliation Monday, the three dioceses launched an ad campaign in both English and Spanish. The digital and print ads, created by DeSales Media Group, the communications arm of the Diocese of Brooklyn, read: “Lighten Up. Experience the power of forgiveness this Easter.” (See Page 25.) The idea behind the slogan is that sins can weigh you down, but through confession, your burdens will be lightened. In going to confession, we also experience the light of God.

Pope Francis tells us “Every time we go to confession, God embraces us.”

To find your nearest parish, go to https://dioceseofbrooklyn.org/parishes/locator/