Confession question

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John_oxios said:
Hello Bookcat,
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Show me where the Church says “at least some” or not obliged? To me, “Strongly recommended,” is more like a subtle command.

God bless,
John
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Hello John

We are not obligated to confess venial sins (see above quotes from CCC, or Canon Law etc etc) they be forgiven in other ways.

It is not a “subtle command” but a “strong recommendation”. And it does not say it strongly recommends one try to find and confess all of ones venial sins…

As for my addition of “at least some” yes such was in ( …)…bringing emphasis to my addition as such.

Right --the words of scripture saying that the just man sins seven times daily yes refers symbolically to the fact that we often sin in what we would call venial ways often…

Venial sins are often called “daily sins” for a reason… (Hence St. Augustine noted we can pray the Our Father for such daily ) and can come in a rather good variety.

It can often be advised indeed to pick several particular venial sins that one is particularly sorry for…and on which one works with a particular concentration and confess these…and of course be sorry for all ones sins …“and all the sins of my life especially Y”.
 
John oxios;8657448 said:
the regular confession of our venial sins helps us form our conscience, fight against evil tendencies
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, let ourselves be healed by Christ and progress in the life of the Spirit."

Amen!
 
Compendium issued by Pope Benedict XVI

304. Which sins must be confessed?

1456

All grave sins not yet confessed, which a careful examination of conscience brings to mind, must be brought to the sacrament of Penance. The confession of serious sins is the only ordinary way to obtain forgiveness.
**
305. When is a person obliged to confess mortal sins?**

1457

Each of the faithful who has reached the age of discretion is bound to confess his or her mortal sins at least once a year and always before receiving Holy Communion.
**
306. Why can venial sins also be the object of sacramental confession?**

1458

The confession of venial sins is strongly recommended by the Church, even if this is not strictly necessary, because it helps us to form a correct conscience and to fight against evil tendencies. It allows us to be healed by Christ and to progress in the life of the Spirit.

vatican.va/archive/compendium_ccc/documents/archive_2005_compendium-ccc_en.html
 
Bookcat said:
Hello John

We are not obligated to confess venial sins (see above quotes from CCC, or Canon Law etc etc) they be forgiven in other ways.

It is not a “subtle command” but a “strong recommendation”. And it does not say it strongly recommends one try to find and confess all of ones venial sins…

As for my addition of “at least some” yes such was in ( …)…bringing emphasis to my addition as such.

Venial sins are often called “daily sins” for a reason… (Hence St. Augustine noted we can pray the Our Father for such daily ) and can come in a rather good variety. Hence my comment.

It can often be advised indeed to pick several particular venial sins that one is particularly sorry for…and on which one works with a particular concentration and confess these…and of course be sorry for all ones sins …“and all the sins of my life especially Y”.
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hello bookcat,

Why emphasize “at least some” rather than all that we are conscious of?

All it takes is someone to open this thread, and see “it’s okay not to confess venial sin”
and protestants take that to the bank, the Holy Sprit always got their back.

ahem ‘subtle command’ is the definition for ‘a Suggestion’

sug·ges·tion definition
Pronunciation: /sə(g)-ˈjes-chən, -ˈjesh-/
Function: n
1 a : the act or process of impressing something (as an idea, attitude, or desired action) upon the mind of another

b : ** the process by which a physical or mental state is influenced by a thought or idea power of suggestion** >

2 : something impressed upon the mind by suggestion posthypnotic carrying out of suggestion is held in the unconscious.

‘Strongly recommended’ = not to be taken lightly

God bless,
John
 
John_oxios said:
hello bookcat,

Why emphasize “at least some” rather than all that we are conscious of?

Because it can be a long list for some…and such is not required and it can even be advised that one focus in on several to hone in on…(a book that will be of interest here is “Frequent Confession” by the Monk Fr. Benedict Baur)

All it takes is someone to open this thread, and see “it’s okay not to confess venial sin”
and protestants take that to the bank, the Holy Sprit always got their back.

Well it is “ok” not to confess venial sins…it is yes also strongly recommended but such is not a requirement and the Church also teaches that they can be forgiven in various ways…such as at Holy Communion …prayer etc

ahem ‘subtle command’ is the definition for ‘a Suggestion’

sug·ges·tion definition
Pronunciation: /sə(g)-ˈjes-chən, -ˈjesh-/
Function: n
1 a : the act or process of impressing something (as an idea, attitude, or desired action) upon the mind of another

b : ** the process by which a physical or mental state is influenced by a thought or idea power of suggestion** >

2 : something impressed upon the mind by suggestion posthypnotic carrying out of suggestion is held in the unconscious.

The Church is using the common meaning of the term…it is not a “subtle command” it is exactly what it says it is
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God bless,
John
 
(nice summary)

Compendium issued by Pope Benedict XVI

304. Which sins must be confessed?

1456

All grave sins not yet confessed, which a careful examination of conscience brings to mind, must be brought to the sacrament of Penance. The confession of serious sins is the only ordinary way to obtain forgiveness.
**
305. When is a person obliged to confess mortal sins?**

1457

Each of the faithful who has reached the age of discretion is bound to confess his or her mortal sins at least once a year and always before receiving Holy Communion.
**
306. Why can venial sins also be the object of sacramental confession?**

1458

The confession of venial sins is strongly recommended by the Church, even if this is not strictly necessary, because it helps us to form a correct conscience and to fight against evil tendencies. It allows us to be healed by Christ and to progress in the life of the Spirit.

vatican.va/archive/compendium_ccc/documents/archive_2005_compendium-ccc_en.html
 
I love confession…have for all the years I have been Catholic! I go frequently and find it very helpful in renewing ones living of the reality of ones Baptism …in following Jesus of Nazareth. There is graces there especially to assist ones conversion…one following as a disciple. I encourage others to confession! I just went tonight at our Advent Penance service. Thanks be to God!
 
A good summary:

Compendium issued by Pope Benedict XVI

304. Which sins must be confessed?

1456

All grave sins not yet confessed, which a careful examination of conscience brings to mind, must be brought to the sacrament of Penance. The confession of serious sins is the only ordinary way to obtain forgiveness.
**
305. When is a person obliged to confess mortal sins?**

1457

Each of the faithful who has reached the age of discretion is bound to confess his or her mortal sins at least once a year and always before receiving Holy Communion.
**
306. Why can venial sins also be the object of sacramental confession?**

1458

The confession of venial sins is strongly recommended by the Church, even if this is not strictly necessary, because it helps us to form a correct conscience and to fight against evil tendencies. It allows us to be healed by Christ and to progress in the life of the Spirit.

vatican.va/archive/compendium_ccc/documents/archive_2005_compendium-ccc_en.html
 
John_oxios said:
Hello Bookcat,
Code: 
                      you added your opinion!
Your post:

Show me where the Church says “at least some” or not obliged? To me, “Strongly recommended,” is more like a subtle command.

The CCC you quoted was about “Everyday faults” which means to me, One doesn’t have to run to confession, when the conviction of guilt of sin strikes us, after all Satan tempts us completely, 7x everyday with each of the 7 sins…That’s 49 times a day!

CCC# 1458, “…Indeed the regular confession of our venial sins helps us form our conscience, fight against evil tendencies, let ourselves be healed by Christ and progress in the life of the Spirit.”

Can anyone of us deny the need for strength to avoid evil tendencies?

Gen 4:7 If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin is couching at the door; its desire is for you, but you must master it.

1Jo 1:8 If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

Hbr 3:13 But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called “today,” that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.

Even the Apostles prayed to jesus to increase their faith, in understanding complete forgiveness.

God bless,
John
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Strongly recommended is NOT a command of any kind.
We are NOT required to confess venial sins. This is the teaching of the Church.
 
Bookcat said:
Catechism:

1456 Confession to a priest is an essential part of the sacrament of Penance: "All mortal sins of which penitents after a diligent self-examination are conscious must be recounted by them in confession, even if they are most secret and have been committed against the last two precepts of the Decalogue; for these sins sometimes wound the soul more grievously and are more dangerous than those which are committed openly."54

1458 Without being strictly necessary, confession of everyday faults (venial sins) is nevertheless strongly recommended by the Church.59 Indeed the regular confession of our venial sins helps us form our conscience, fight against evil tendencies, let ourselves be healed by Christ and progress in the life of the Spirit. By receiving more frequently through this sacrament the gift of the Father’s mercy, we are spurred to be merciful as he is merciful:60

1436 Eucharist and Penance. Daily conversion and penance find their source and nourishment in the Eucharist, for in it is made present the sacrifice of Christ which has reconciled us with God. Through the Eucharist those who live from the life of Christ are fed and strengthened. "It is a remedy to free us from our daily faults and to preserve us from mortal sins."35

1437 Reading Sacred Scripture, praying the Liturgy of the Hours and the Our Father - every sincere act of worship or devotion revives the spirit of conversion and repentance within us and contributes to the forgiveness of our sins.
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Thank you, Bookcat, for correcting me and providing reference. I always ask people to since I am not the most knowledgeable on the specifics in the Catechism.

That being said, I just want to say mainly one more thing, with a couple more comments.

This is rather extreme, but there are some of these people out there: What if someone does not commit a mortal sin? Maybe this is an unrealistic thought…but would it be best for that person to think, “oh, it is not necessary to go to confession. I’ll just do the minimum of what the Church requires.”? OK, this isn’t worded like I want it, but you get the idea. Hmmm…this just creates more controversy on how often people think one should go to confession. Oh well. I am of the idea that once per month is ideal.

Anyway, so yes, it may not be required to confess venial sins, but if one is making an examination of conscience right before confession and remembers a venial sin, one probably shouldn’t dismiss/not confess it simply because it might already be forgiven, and because it’s not required. If one remembers a venial sin, it just makes sense to confess it. That’s just my opinion though. That being said, one shouldn’t examine conscience for an exaggerated time trying to remember all venial sins. That would be unecessary and scrupulous.

As someone has already said, I think, in context of what the OP has asked, it was good to let her know that she CAN go to Communion, so perhaps this whole “debate” is unnecessary. And I probably was the one who got it going…haha. I guess I just felt like trying to help/make a suggestion.
 
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