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mlz
Guest
Where in the Catechism does it discuss confession? Does it mention it anywhere about it being good to confess venial sins?
Thank you,
mlz
Thank you,
mlz
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babochka
Guest
This is a link to the Catechism section on the sacrament.
vatican.va/archive/ccc_css/archive/catechism/p2s2c2a4.htm
Here is the quote from the Catechism regarding the confession of venial sins.
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eamonnroma
Guest
So we do not need to confess venial sins, as it also states in the catechism, our venial sins are forgiven when we receive communion. Basically, as long as we commit no mortal sins, we only have to go to confession once a year.
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thistle
Guest
What you say is not correct. Confession once a year is only required for mortal sins. If you go a whole year without committing a mortal sin you do not have to go to Confession.
1457 According to the Church’s command, "after having attained the age of discretion, each of the faithful is bound by an obligation faithfully to confess serious sins at least once a year."Anyone who is aware of having committed a mortal sin must not receive Holy Communion, even if he experiences deep contrition, without having first received sacramental absolution, unless he has a grave reason for receiving Communion and there is no possibility of going to confession. Children must go to the sacrament of Penance before receiving Holy Communion for the first time.
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Bookcat
Guest
Yes - Venial sins are forgiven in many ways -besides confession (frequent confession is greatly recommended) - acts of perfect or even imperfect contrition, prayer, reading Sacred Scripture, the Mass, Holy Communion, the devout use holy water, other sacramentals, little short prayers during the day, acts of love etc
I will add a related section of the Catechism:
From the Catechism:
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.”
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.
vatican.va/archive/catechism/ccc_toc.htm
Saint Augustine noted in the year 395 to his catechumens to live their Baptism - but in doing so they would not live without venial sins - for life is never without such - and that daily prayer was instituted to blot them out.
Let us pray the Our Father as St. Augustine spoke of being prayed for such daily venial sins …“forgive us our trespasses…” He noted that for such sins we were given prayer - and especially noted the Lords Prayer.
Indeed in the early Church such was often prayed three times a day. A wonderful practice that my family follows.
CCC The first communities prayed the Lord’s Prayer three times a day, in place of the “Eighteen Benedictions” customary in Jewish piety. scborromeo.org/ccc/p4s2a1.htm
That being said - frequent confession of venial sins is very recommended and very important for the spiritual life - the forgiveness via confession and absolution brings particular grace in avoiding those sins…etc etc
Catechism:
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
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Brendan_64
Guest
Why would a person not want to go to Confession to confess venial sins? The Sacrament of Confession is such a wonderful sacrament. It heals the soul, imparts such amazing graces, and lifts the burden of sin from our shoulders. Go whenever you have the opportunity.
Also, as far as mortal sins are concerned, do not underestimate just how easy it is to commit a mortal sin. Mortal sins are not simply confined to murder, rape, armed robber, adultery, theft and sexual sins.
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Mary_Ellen
Guest
There is support for confession of venial sins in both Canon Law and in the Catechism of the Catholic Church. I keep the following pasted in my Confession journal in case I get harassed again by a priest for just confessing venial sins:
Can. 988 §2. It is recommended to the Christian faithful that they also confess venial sins.
CCC 1458 Without being strictly necessary, confession of everyday faults (venial sins) is nevertheless strongly recommended by the Church. 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:……
1493 One who desires to obtain reconciliation with God and with the Church, must confess to a priest all the unconfessed grave sins he remembers after having carefully examined his conscience. The confession of venial faults, without being necessary in itself, is nevertheless strongly recommended by the Church.
Can. 988 §2. It is recommended to the Christian faithful that they also confess venial sins.
CCC 1458 Without being strictly necessary, confession of everyday faults (venial sins) is nevertheless strongly recommended by the Church. 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:……
1493 One who desires to obtain reconciliation with God and with the Church, must confess to a priest all the unconfessed grave sins he remembers after having carefully examined his conscience. The confession of venial faults, without being necessary in itself, is nevertheless strongly recommended by the Church.
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mlz
Guest
The reason I asked this question is because my daughter is considering becoming Catholic. Both her mom(me) and dad are recent converts and have been encouraged in all we’ve read and seen in the lives of many active Catholic friends that they go to confession frequently. ( with venial sins. My daughter talked to a priest who mention only confessing mortal and discouraged her from coming in with venial sins for confession as it wasn’t necessary. She was confused as she knows our practice.
Mlz
Mlz
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Bookcat
Guest
Or once a week or every other week…
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Secant
Guest
I certainly understand your daughter’s confusion. My pastor has the same opinion, “don’t bother me with venial stuff more than once a year.” That doesn’t mean we can’t aspire to more virtue by going more often with those venial sins. It just might be recommended to try not to annoy the pastor by hitting up other parishes when you go on vacation or making a point of driving to another parish for confession as often as you can. Once I have the opportunity, I would like to travel to another parish for confession a little more often myself.
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Bookcat
Guest
Sorry to hear that. Such is not the mind of the Church.
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Brendan_64
Guest
Do those who discourage Confession unless absolutely necessary also discourage receiving Communion unless absolutely necessary? I would doubt it.
Confession, like Communion is a sacrament through which God’s grace flows to us, but there does seem to be a very negative attitude towards the Sacrament of Confession from some, almost regarding it as something to be avoided unless absolutely necessary.
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thistle
Guest
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