Hello! I had a question for a Catholic priest recently about attending Confession. I always thought the Catholic Church taught us to go to Confession as much as possible and clearly we needed to go at minimum twice a year - Christmas & Easter (Catholic Obligation) - recently I asked a priest about this and he told me " The sacrament of Penance was meant to be a once-in-a-lifetime event. You never have to go to Confession unless you’re excommunicated, e.g. by trying to kill the pope. The Pentential rite at the beginning of Mass is meant to be for the forgiveness of our sins." - Is this true? If so, I have never heard this before. Can you help me understand this? Thanks very much! Pam
That understanding of confession and the penitential rite is incorrect.
Catholics are required to confess grave sins at least once a year (canon 989). Regular confession of venial sins is highly recommended (canon 988).
The penitential rite at Mass does not forgive sins, it merely is a ritual manner in which the congregation call to mind their sins and pray for forgiveness of venial sins. The actual forgiveness of venial sins in Mass is effected through the Eucharistic prayers and reception of communion. As the GIRM notes:
Then the priest invites those present to take part in the Act of Penitence, which, after a brief pause for silence, the entire community carries out through a formula of general confession. The rite concludes with the priest’s absolution, which, however, lacks the efficacy of the Sacrament of Penance.
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Thanks very much! Pam