Returning to the Church

People come back after five years and after fifty. Some come back because something happened. Some come back because nothing did, and they noticed.

There is no register of who left. Nobody is going to ask you where you have been.

Can I just come to Mass?

Yes. Anyone may attend Mass. Attending is not a claim about the state of your life.

What about Communion?

If you have been away for a long time, or if there is something serious you know needs dealing with, the ordinary path is to go to confession first. Until then, you can attend and stay in your seat. That is a completely normal thing to do and nobody will read anything into it.

How to go to confession after a long time

• Look up the confession times for a church near you. Many hear confessions before every Mass.
• You can begin by saying: “It has been a long time and I do not remember how to do this.” Priests hear that constantly.
• The priest will guide you through it. You do not need a script.
• If your situation is complicated — a marriage, a long absence, something you are not sure can be resolved — say so. That is exactly the conversation to have, and it is better had in person than decided alone.