The Light is On - Lent

"The Sacrament of Reconciliation calls us back to God and embraces us with his infinite mercy & joy." - Pope Francis

The Season of Lent is a time of penance and spiritual renewal, which helps us prepare for the celebrating of Christ's paschal mystery. The sacrament of reconciliation opens our hearts to receive him, which is why it is such a wonderful gift to experience as Holy Week approaches. Through the sacrament, we experience God's mercy, our sins are forgiven, and we are healed.

Before participating in the sacrament of reconciliation, it may be useful to reflect upon your thoughts and actions. To assist you, the U.S. bishops put together “A Brief Examination of Conscience Based on the Ten Commandments."

During the fifth week of Lent, from Monday, March 27 through Friday, March 31, parishes across our diocese will offer additional confession times to allow more people to experience the grace of the sacrament. As parish determine times, they will be listed by county below.  (Times will be posted as they are determined by parishes.) Click here to view a listing by parish.

Androscoggin County

Auburn - Sacred Heart Church, 8 Sacred Heart Place - Wednesday, March 29, and Thursday, March 30, at 6 p.m.

Auburn - St. Philip Church, 2365 Turner Road - Monday, March 27, at 6 p.m.

Lewiston - Holy Family Church, 607 Sabattus Street - Monday, March 27 to Thursday, March 30, 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Mechanic Falls - Our Lady of Ransom Church, 117 Elm Street - Tuesday, March 28, 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Aroostook County

Benedicta - St. Benedict Church, 1063 Benedicta Road, Benedicta - Friday, March 31, 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. (Following 5 p.m. Mass)

Caribou - Holy Rosary Church, 34 Vaughn Street - Monday, March 27, and Wednesday, March 29, at 6 p.m.

Eagle Lake - St. Mary Church. 3451 Aroostook Road - Sunday, April 2, at noon (following 11 a.m. Mass)

Fort Kent - St. Louis Church, 26 East Main Street - Monday, March 27, and Tuesday, March 28, 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.; Wednesday, March 29, 7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m.; and Saturday, April 1, 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m

Frenchville - St. Luce Church, 441 U.S. Route One - Thursday, March 30, 5 p.m to 5:45 p.m. (Followed by Mass at 6 p.m.)

Houlton - St. Mary of the Visitation Church, 76 Sewall Street - Sunday, March 26, 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.; Monday, March 27, 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.; Tuesday, March 28, 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.; Thursday, March 20, 6:45 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Island Falls - St. Agnes Church, 76 Sewall Street - Saturday, March 25, 2:30 p.m. to 3:45 p.m.; Friday, March 31, 2 p.m. to 3 p.m.; and Saturday, April 1, 2:30 p.m. to 3:45 p.m.

Madawaska - St. David Church, 774 Main Street - Sunday, March 26, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. and Friday, March 31, 5 p.m. to 5:45 p.m. (Followed by Mass at 6 p.m.)

Madawaska - St. Thomas Aquinas Church, 337 St. Thomas Street - Tuesday, March 28, 5 p.m. to 5:45 p.m. (Followed by Mass at 6 p.m.)

Presque Isle - Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church, 333 Main Street - Sunday, March 26, at 2 p.m.; Tuesday March 28, and Thursday, March 30, at 6 p.m.

St. Agatha - St. Agatha Church, 379 Main Street - Monday, March 27, 5 p.m. to 5:45 p.m. (Followed by Mass at 6 p.m.)

St. Francis - St. Charles Borromeo Church, 912 Main Street - Saturday, April 1, at 7 p.m. (Following 6 p.m. Mass)

Van Buren - St. Bruno-St. Remi Church, 174 Main Street - Monday, March 27, and Wednesday, March 29, 5 p.m. to 5:45 p.m. (Followed by Mass at 6 p.m.)

Cumberland County

Bridgton - St. Joseph Church, 225 South High Street - Monday, March 27 - Penance service at 6 p.m. followed by the sacrament of reconciliation.

Brunswick - St. Charles Borromeo Church, 132 McKeen Street - Thursday, March 30, 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Brunswick - St. John the Baptist Church, 39 Pleasant Street - Tuesday, March 28, 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Cape Elizabeth - St. Bartholomew Church, 8 Two Lights Road - Monday, March 27, 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.; Wednesday, March 29, 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.; Saturday, April 1, 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.

Falmouth - Holy Martyrs of North America Church, 266 Foreside Road - Tuesday, March 28, 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Freeport - St. Jude Church, 134 Main Street - Wednesday, March 29, 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Gorham - St. Anne Church, 299 Main Street - Wednesday, March 29, and Thursday, March 30, 5 p.m. to 6 p.m.; Saturday, April 1, at 8:30 a.m.

Gray - St. Gregory Church, 24 North Raymond Road - Monday, March 27, 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Portland - Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, 307 Congress Street - Monday - Thursday, March 27-30, 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Portland - St. Louis Church, 279 Danforth Street - Thursday, March 30, 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Portland - St. Pius X Church, 492 Ocean Avenue - Monday-Wednesday, March 27-29, 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., and Thursday, March 30, following the 9 a.m. Mass.

Scarborough - St. Maximilian Kolbe Church, 150 Black Point Road - Monday, March 27, 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. to 6 p.m.; Tuesday, March 28, 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.; Thursday, March 30, 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.; Friday, March 31, 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.; Saturday, April 1, 4 p.m. to 4:45 p.m.

South Portland - Church of the Holy Cross, 124 Cottage Road - Wednesday, March 29, 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.; Thursday, March 30, 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.; Friday, March 31, 8 a.m. to 9 a.m.; Saturday, April 1, 3 p.m. to 3:45 p.m.

Westbrook - St. Hyacinth Church, 268 Brown Street - Tuesday, March 28, and Thursday, March 30, Noon to 1 p.m.

Windham - Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church, 919 Roosevelt Trail - Friday, March 31, 5 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Yarmouth - Sacred Heart Church, 326 Main Street - Thursday, March 30, 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Franklin County

Jay - St. Rose of Lima Church, 1 Church Street - Tuesday, March 28, and Thursday, March 30, 5:30 p.m. to 6:45 p.m.

Oquossoc - Our Lady of the Lakes Church, 43 Rangeley Avenue - Thursday, March 23, 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. 

Rangeley - St. Luke Church, 19 Lake Street - Friday, March 24, 5 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Stratton - St. John Church, 76 Main Street - Wednesday, March 22, 5:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Hancock County

Bar Harbor - Holy Redeemer Church, 56 Mount Desert Street - Friday, March 31, at 6 p.m.

Bucksport - St. Vincent de Paul Church, 60 Franklin Street - Thursday, March 30, at 6 p.m.

Ellsworth - St. Joseph Church, 231 Main Street - Tuesday, March 28, at 6 p.m.

Kennebec County

Augusta - St. Augustine Church, 75 Northern Avenue - Friday, March 31, at 2 p.m.

Augusta - St. Mary of the Assumption Church, 41 Western Avenue - Tuesday, March 28, at 6:30 p.m.

Gardiner - St. Joseph Church, 110 School Street - Friday, March 31, at 5 p.m.

Hallowell - Sacred Heart Church, 14 Summer Street - Sunday, April 2, at 4 p.m.

Waterville - Notre Dame du Perpetual Secours Church, 116 Silver Street - Monday, March 27, 12:45 to 1:45 p.m. and Wednesday, March 29, 12:45 p.m. to 1:45 p.m.

Winslow - St. John the Baptist Church, 26 Monument Street - Tuesday, March 28, 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Winthrop - St. Francis Xavier Church, 130 U.S. Route 133 - Friday, March 31, 5 p.m.

Knox County

Camden - Our Lady of Good Hope Church, 7 Union Street - Monday, March 27, 5:30 p.m. (adoration will be offered from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. and Mass will be celebrated at 6:30 p.m.). The church will also hold a penitential service on Tuesday, March 28, at 5:30 p.m.

Rockland - St. Bernard Church, 150 Broadway - Thursday, March 30, 5:30 p.m. (adoration will be offered from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. and Mass will be celebrated at 6:30 p.m.).

Lincoln County

Boothbay Harbor - Our Lady Queen of Peace Church, 82 Atlantic Avenue - Tuesday, March 28, and Thursday, March 30, prior to noon Mass.

Oxford County

Bethel – Our Lady of the Snows, 265 Walker’s Mills Rd - Thursday, March 30, 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Fryeburg - St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church, 857 Main Street - Thursday, March 30, 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Norway - St. Catherine of Sienna Church, 32 Paris Street - Wednesday, March 29, Penance Service at 6 p.m. followed by the sacrament of reconciliation.

Rumford – St. Athanasius & St. John Church, 126 Maine Ave - Monday, March 27, 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. and Tuesday, March 28, 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Penobscot County

Bangor - St. John Church, 217 York Street - Saturday, April 1, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Bangor - St. Mary Church, 768 Ohio Street - Sunday, March 26, 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.; Monday, March 27, 2 p.m. to 5 p.m., and Tuesday, March 28, 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Bradley - St. Ann Church, 84 Main Street - Monday, March 27, 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Dexter - St. Anne Church, 64 Free Street - Reconciliation Service on Sunday, March 19, at 1 p.m.

East Millinocket - St. Peter Church, 58 Cedar Street - Monday, March 27, 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Hampden - St. Matthew Church, 70 Western Avenue - Wednesday, March 29, and Thursday, March 30, 4 p.m. to 5:15 p.m.

Howland - St. Leo the Great Church, 16 River Road - Wednesday, March 22, at 6 p.m.

Lincoln - St. Mary of Lourdes Church, 142 Main Street - Friday, March 24, at 6 p.m.

Millinocket - St. Martin of Tours Church, 19 Colby Street - Wednesday, March 29, 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Old Town - Holy Family Church, 429 Main Street - Tuesday, March 28, 5 p.m. to 6 p.m.; Wednesday, March 29, 7 a.m. to 7:45 a.m. and 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m.; Thursday, March 30, 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.; and Friday, March 31, 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. to 6:15 p.m.

Piscataquis County

Greenville - Holy Family Church, 145 Pritham Avenue - Wednesday, March 29, 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. and Saturday, April 1, 3 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Sagadahoc County

Bath - St. Mary Church, 144 Lincoln Street - Monday, March 27, 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Richmond - St. Ambrose Church, 29 Kimball Street - Thursday, March 30, before and after the 10 a.m. Mass

Somerset County

Bingham - St. Peter Church, 27 Owens Street - Thursday, March 30, at 2:30 p.m.

Jackman - St. Faustina Church, 370 Main Street - Monday, March 27, 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. and Tuesday, March 28, 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.

Madison - St. Sebastian Church, 161 Main Street - Monday, March 27, at 6 p.m.

Skowhegan - Notre Dame de Lourdes Church, 273 Water Street - Tuesday, March 28, at noon and Friday, March 31, at 6 p.m.

Waldo County

Belfast - St. Francis of Assisi Church, 81 Court Street - Wednesday, March 29, 5:30 p.m. (adoration will be offered from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. and Mass will be celebrated at 6:30 p.m.).

Washington County

Baileyville - St. James the Greater Church, 15 Hillside Street - Monday, March 27, 6 p.m. to 7 p.m., and Wednesday, March 29, 8:15 a.m. to 8:50 a.m. and 8:40 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. (Before and after Daily Mass)

Calais - Immaculate Conception Church, 31 Calais Avenue - Monday, March 27, 8:15 a.m. to 8:50 a.m. and 8:40 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. (Before and after Daily Mass); Friday, March 31, 8:15 a.m. to 8:50 a.m., 9:40 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., and 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Cherryfield - St. Michael Church, 51 Elm Street - Friday, March 31, 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. (Preceded by Stations of the Cross at 5 p.m.)

Eastport - St. Joseph Church, 51 Washington Street -Tuesday, March 28, 8:15 a.m. to 8:50 a.m. and 8:40 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. (Before and after Daily Mass) and Wednesday, March 29, 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Lubec - Sacred Heart Church, 14 Hamilton Street - Wednesday, March 29, 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. (Preceded by Stations of the Cross at 5 p.m.)

Machias - Holy Name of Jesus Church, 8 Free Street - Thursday, March 30, 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. (Preceded by Stations of the Cross at 5 p.m.)

Peter Dana Point (Indian Township - St. Ann Church, Peter Dana Point Road - Tuesday, March 28, 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.

York County

Biddeford - St. Joseph Church, 178 Elm Street -- Wednesday, March 29, 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Kennebunk - St. Martha Church, 30 Portland Road - Thursday, March 30, at 6 p.m.

Kittery - St. Raphael Church, 6 Whipple Road - Monday, March 27, at 1 p.m. and Tuesday, March 28 at 7 p.m.

Limerick - St. Matthew Church, 19 Dora Lane - Monday, March 27, Hour of Adoration and Confessions from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m.; Tuesday at 8:30 a.m. following morning Mass; Friday, March 31, at 5:30 p.m., following Stations of the Cross.

Lyman - St. Philip Church, 404 Goodwins Mills Road - Tuesday, March 28, 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Old Orchard Beach - St. Margaret Church, 6 Saco Avenue - Monday, March 27, 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Saco - Most Holy Trinity Church, 271 Main Street - Thursday, March 30, 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Sanford - Holy Family Church, 66 North Avenue - Tuesday, March 28, 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.; Thursday, March 30, 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. (Mass is at 6 p.m.); Friday, March 31, 6:30 a.m. and Saturday, April 1, 3 p.m.

South Berwick - Our Lady of the Angels Church, 162 Agamenticus Road - Tuesday, March 28, at 1 p.m. and Wednesday, March 29, at 7 p.m.

Wells - St. Mary Church, 236 Eldridge Road - Tuesday, March 28, at 6 p.m.

York - St. Christopher Church, 4 Barrell Lane - Monday, March 27, at 7 p.m. and Wednesday, March 29, at 1 p.m.