Confession; is still necessary?

[PJM]

=Verbum;10190529]Hi Phemie,

We have lost the sense of sin, and if you don’t sin then you don’t have to go to confession. Sin is rarely, if ever, mentioned in a homily. Rather we hear, “God loves us no matter what we do,” without mention of repentance and confession.

Yes, “sin” is rarely mentionned. One of my favorite priests replaces the word with the expression “lack of love”. I’m thinking of e-mailing him my concerns. Of course, it’s a reaction to an era when there was more talk of hell than heaven. Let’ s pray for a balanced approach.

Verbum

Thanks for sharing HARD truths.

But a question:

ought we not be more concerned about hell than heave? If we are; heaven will happen for us:shrug:

Also the “Love teaching” is Protestant 'by faith alone is one saved"

Not biblical and not true/

 

[Evan]

I know I don’t go to confession often because the lines are too long in my parish. I’ve waited an hour in line and then the priest had to leave for an appointment.

Over advent he was in the confessional from after the 9 AM mass to 4 PM every Friday and Saturday.

I tried to get in line right after mass but there was already an hour’s worth of confessions ahead of me.

 

[Evan]

Another thing… My mom said in her parish, for the Immaculate Conception, her priest said

“I’ll be seeing you at mass next Saturday or in Confession. Your choice.”

 

[patrick457]

When I feel apprehensive about going to Confession I read this article lifeteen.com/my-side-of-the-confessional-what-is-it-like-for-a-priest/ it might help your feelings towards the things which repel you form the Sacrament

Thank you guys. As always, pray for me.

 

[PJM]

=Evan;10191637]I know I don’t go to confession often because the lines are too long in my parish. I’ve waited an hour in line and then the priest had to leave for an appointment.

Over advent he was in the confessional from after the 9 AM mass to 4 PM every Friday and Saturday.

I tried to get in line right after mass but there was already an hour’s worth of confessions ahead of me.

WOW!

Can we photo-copy your parish:thumbsup:

Praise be to our Lord Jesus Christ!

 

[COPLAND_3]

No doubt its still necessary. I see Confession as one of the greatest gifts to us weak Christians who struggle with sin after Baptism. As for excuses for not going, I admit that I am a horrible procrastinator. That has always been my weakness, and I hope it does not ever become my fate. I make it to confession quite a bit, but I still slide on thin ice at times.

 

[fbl9]

I struggle with when to go to confession as well, i mean if we are told to at least go once a year, then wouldn’t that suggest that we as Catholics can only recieve Communion once a year ?

then even if one does not actually commit a real sin of any nature one still has original sin to deal with or the fact that one is human and can never be perfect so, then shouldn’t one still go to reconciliation ?

Seems like Saturday Reconciliation is needed weekly for all to attend to be able to recieve Communion on Sunday ?

I have been a practicing Catholic all my life, I haven’t been able to figure this sacrement out, I agree that it is still needed, an look it at as a blessing and not something to be embarressed about going too anymore…

one needs to be reminded from time to time that we are not confessing the the priest but to God/ Christ Himself.

once one starts to build a stronger relationship with Christ, the need for reconciliation to me becomes more of a need, then again even if one hasn’t committed a sin of any sort, is the need to go still there ?

and what to do when one is unsure of what constitutes a venial or mortal sin, does one just go, the better safe than sorry route. or does one need to really discern the matter ?

Reconciliation i think hear mentioned more during the time of Advent i know i heard it brought up more this year than last, and during Easter, seems in between things simmer down in being mentioned.

one can recieve the sacrement of holy communion year round even daily. provided they are in a state of grace. the confetor at the start of Mass obtains forgiveness of venial sins only.

orginal sin is removed by baptism yet we are left with the effects on our nature. These effects are not sinful in themselves, they do lend to our nature to be prone to sin. With God’s grace we can overcome these effects.

not necessarily so.

A good examination of oneself will reveal if one has sinned mortally or not.
As one becomes closer to that which is perfect one’s flaws come more noticable, combined with the desire to one with that which is perfect will cause one to want to remove these flaws.

 

[PJM]

=fbl9;10197369]one can recieve the sacrement of holy communion year round even daily. provided they are in a state of grace. the confetor at the start of Mass obtains forgiveness of venial sins only.

orginal sin is removed by baptism yet we are left with the effects on our nature. These effects are not sinful in themselves, they do lend to our nature to be prone to sin. With God’s grace we can overcome these effects.

not necessarily so.

A good examination of oneself will reveal if one has sinned mortally or not.
As one becomes closer to that which is perfect one’s flaws come more noticable, combined with the desire to one with that which is perfect will cause one to want to remove these flaws.

WELL DONE “good and faithful servant”

 

[fisherman_carl]

Here is a good talk on the sacrament by Scott Hahn.
youtube.com/watch?v=fZ0D-BLWY70

 

[normbetland]

Hi normbetland,

Actually the obligation is there whether you have committed grievous sin or not

The obligation to confess once a year only applies if you have sinned grievously :

Can. 989 All the faithful who have reached the age of discretion are bound faithfully to confess their grave sins at least once a year.

Verbum

Well that is good to know. My priests have never articulated that part very well.

 

[jmcrae]

Well that is good to know. My priests have never articulated that part very well.

Anybody who can go a year without either going to Confession or committing any serious sin would be rare indeed. I know lots of very holy people, but they are in the Confessional once a week - that’s how they stay so holy.

 

[normbetland]

I struggle with when to go to confession as well, i mean if we are told to at least go once a year, then wouldn’t that suggest that we as Catholics can only recieve Communion once a year ?

then even if one does not actually commit a real sin of any nature one still has original sin to deal with or the fact that one is human and can never be perfect so, then shouldn’t one still go to reconciliation ?

Seems like Saturday Reconciliation is needed weekly for all to attend to be able to recieve Communion on Sunday ?

I have been a practicing Catholic all my life, I haven’t been able to figure this sacrement out, I agree that it is still needed, an look it at as a blessing and not something to be embarressed about going too anymore…

one needs to be reminded from time to time that we are not confessing the the priest but to God/ Christ Himself.

once one starts to build a stronger relationship with Christ, the need for reconciliation to me becomes more of a need, then again even if one hasn’t committed a sin of any sort, is the need to go still there ?

and what to do when one is unsure of what constitutes a venial or mortal sin, does one just go, the better safe than sorry route. or does one need to really discern the matter ?

Reconciliation i think hear mentioned more during the time of Advent i know i heard it brought up more this year than last, and during Easter, seems in between things simmer down in being mentioned.

Well original sin no longer exists in someone using this Sacrament because original sin was washed away in Baptism. And although nobody is perfect, the Sacrament is only required in cases of mortal sin, not venial sin. It is entirely possible to go ones entire life without committing mortal sin, certainly possible to go an entire week, so I don’t think that weekly Penance is necessary for everyone.

I agree though that it is better to be safe than sorry when one doesn’t know if they’ve committed a mortal sin or venial sin, but my understanding is that part of being culpable for a mortal sin is that you fully knew of its grave nature, and fully consented and willed the act, so if one is truly and really unsure they probably aren’t guilty of a mortal sin (but don’t quote me on that).

 

[PJM]

=normbetland;10211488]Well that is good to know. My priests have never articulated that part very well.

Friend, MAY I add a “YEA BUT?”

All of the sacraments are a source of Grace.

Christ does not desire that we just “do the minimum”

Rev. 3:16 JESUS SPEAKING to ALL OF US
" But because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold, not hot, I will begin to vomit thee out of my mouth".

Its a GREAT idea to keep God happy

God Bless,
pat/PJM

 

[normbetland]

Friend, MAY I add a “YEA BUT?”

All of the sacraments are a source of Grace.

Christ does not desire that we just “do the minimum”

Rev. 3:16 JESUS SPEAKING to ALL OF US
" But because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold, not hot, I will begin to vomit thee out of my mouth".

Its a GREAT idea to keep God happy

God Bless,
pat/PJM

I understand that and don’t dispute that, BUT it is not a requirement.

 

[Mark121359]

I heard Fr. Wade Menezes of the Fathers of Mercy and EWTN say that you should go to confession at least once a month. I believe he’s right. That’s what I’ve done for the last 20 years. The sacrament of Reconciliation is one of the most under-used sacraments in the Church today. And that’s a shame. And IMHO I have to believe that many sacrileges are being commited…From EWTN;

1. Does he who knowingly receives Holy Communion in mortal sin receive the body and blood of Christ and His graces?

He who knowingly receives Holy Communion in mortal sin receives the body and blood of Christ, but he does not receive His graces and commits a grave sin of sacrilege.

To receive Holy Communion unworthily is a serious abuse of the sacred body and blood of the Lord, and therefore a sacrilege.

Make it a habit of going to confession regularly. The spiritual healing alone that you receive is most awesome!

 

[Hmgbrd]

On the Vatican website in the Catechism of the Catholic Church under Precepts of the Catholic Church I found this requirement for all Catholics.

2042…The second precept (“You shall confess your sins at least once a year.") ensures preparation for the Eucharist by the reception of the sacrament of reconciliation, which continues Baptism’s work of conversion and forgiveness.83

So, yes, the sacrament of reconciliation is a requirement.

 

[PJM]

=normbetland;10211510]Well original sin no longer exists in someone using this Sacrament because original sin was washed away in Baptism. And although nobody is perfect, the Sacrament is only required in cases of mortal sin, not venial sin. It is entirely possible to go ones entire life without committing mortal sin, certainly possible to go an entire week, so I don’t think that weekly Penance is necessary for everyone.

I agree though that it is better to be safe than sorry when one doesn’t know if they’ve committed a mortal sin or venial sin, but my understanding is that part of being culpable for a mortal sin is that you fully knew of its grave nature, and fully consented and willed the act, so if one is truly and really unsure they probably aren’t guilty of a mortal sin (but don’t quote me on that).

REALLY;
GOD CREATED THE SACRAMENT OF “KNOWN FORGIVENESS” JUST FOR ME
SO I CAN OBTIAN MORE MERCY AND GRACE.

THANK YOU JESUS!

 

[Mark121359]

REALLY;
GOD CREATED THE SACRAMENT OF “KNOWN FORGIVENESS” JUST FOR ME
SO I CAN OBTIAN MORE MERCY AND GRACE.

THANK YOU JESUS!

Absolutely!

 

[teeboy]

It can help u destroy vice.

It sure helped me.

No more late nights at the bar. No more GD expletives.

 

[PJM]

=teeboy;10218445]It can help u destroy vice.

It sure helped me.

No more late nights at the bar. No more GD expletives.

God is Sooo Good to us!

Thanks for sharing