She died – a few minutes after her confession

One of my female parishioners died recently and my priest told the story of the woman and his interaction with her on the day she died – which was Good Friday.

For about two weeks before the Holy weak leading to Easter, the priest had continuously announced that those who wanted to make their confessions should do so before Holy Thursday. After that, they would have to wait until after Easter.  

On Good Friday, this particular lady approached the priest and asked for a confession. He reminded her of the announcements he’d made for weeks and gently refused.

After much back and forth, she pointed to her son, standing behind her, and explained that he’d just come back from boarding school the day before and would like to make a confession. When the priest agreed to the request based on the fact that the boy had been away at school, she jokingly stated that there was no way she was going to let him take care of just her son – after all, she brought him to church. Eventually, she took her confession and chatted a bit with the priest. A few minutes after she walked away from him, she slumped near the church gate and died.