Question:
Answer:
The Church provides us generous flexibility in receiving the Sacrament of Confession/Reconciliation in fulfillment of the First Five Saturdays devotion that Our Lady of Fatima gave us.
As the Holy See’s Apostolic Penitentiary has decreed regarding indulgences generally, and provided the communicant is in a state of grace for reception of Communion, sacramental confession can be received within twenty days either before or after Divine Mercy Sunday.
In addition, you and some other Catholics could request your parish pastor to specially accommodate you all on first Saturdays—i.e., apart from your parish’s normal Saturday Confession schedule—and celebrate the sacrament for your group. A little planning ahead can help you efficiently fulfill the First Five Saturdays devotion.