Confession requirements for Lent

[newcalling]

Hi all. I have been Catholic for about seven months and I have not been to confession since my first confession. I don’t have any mortal sins I can think of to confess, but I also understand that Catholics have a requirement to go to confession at least once a year duringLent. Am I correct about this requirement? If so, is it just any time during Lent, or is there a specific day when it is required? I know that today is Shrove Tuesday, but none of the local parishes had confessions scheduled; would it have even counted for the yearly requirement if I did it today since Lent doesn’t start until tomorrow? I’m just trying to make sure that I meet all the obligations. I look forward to my first Lent as a Catholic. May all have a wonderful Lenten season.

 

[Confiteor_Deo]

You are correct in that we are bound by a precept of the Church to confess once a year, but this doesn’t have to be during Lent. You can confess anytime during the year to fulfill this precept as long as it isn’t after a year has passed since your last worthy Confession. It is often advised to have recourse to the Sacrament of Penance more often during Lent since Lent is a penitential season, but it is not required. It is also advised to go to Confession much more often than annually. I would say you should go at least every month, or even every other week, because of the many graces that are given by this wonderful Sacrament, but if you commit a mortal sin it is of course advised to confess as soon as possible.

 

[utah_rose]

You are correct in that we are bound by a precept of the Church to confess once a year, but this doesn’t have to be during Lent. You can confess anytime during the year to fulfill this precept as long as it isn’t after a year has passed since your last worthy Confession. It is often advised to have recourse to the Sacrament of Penance more often during Lent since Lent is a penitential season, but it is not required. It is also advised to go to Confession much more often than annually. I would say you should go at least every month, or even every other week, because of the many graces that are given by this wonderful Sacrament, but if you commit a mortal sin it is of course advised to confess as soon as possible.

It is only once a year but I believe the Church requires it between Easter and Pentecost IF you haven’t been to Confession all year. Most parishes though have Penance services during Lent where you can pick among several priests for Confession, and it makes it easier sometimes then trying to go to your parish when it’s scheduled weekly. It’s nice if you can go once a month for graces though.

 

[Confiteor_Deo]

You are correct in that we are bound by a precept of the Church to confess once a year, but this doesn’t have to be during Lent. You can confess anytime during the year to fulfill this precept as long as it isn’t after a year has passed since your last worthy Confession. It is often advised to have recourse to the Sacrament of Penance more often during Lent since Lent is a penitential season, but it is not required. It is also advised to go to Confession much more often than annually. I would say you should go at least every month, or even every other week, because of the many graces that are given by this wonderful Sacrament, but if you commit a mortal sin it is of course advised to confess as soon as possible.

After looking into it, I’d like to add that if you are not conscious of committing a mortal sin, then there is no obligation to confess. The precept of confessing once a year only applies to the faithful that are in the state of mortal sin, so the original poster is not required to go to Confession (but the recommendation to confess regularly remains).

 

[Confiteor_Deo]

It is only once a year but I believe the Church requires it between Easter and Pentecost IF you haven’t been to Confession all year. Most parishes though have Penance services during Lent where you can pick among several priests for Confession, and it makes it easier sometimes then trying to go to your parish when it’s scheduled weekly. It’s nice if you can go once a month for graces though.

As far as I know, the Code of Canon Law doesn’t mention any particular time which we must confess, but it does mandate that we receive Holy Communion during the Easter season.

 

[PrayPsalm51]

As far as I know, the Code of Canon Law doesn’t mention any particular time which we must confess, but it does mandate that we receive Holy Communion during the Easter season.

This is my understanding too. So then if one is going to receive Communion during the Easter season (worthily) one would need to confess before doing so. That’s why most think they have to confess during the Easter Season. Most of us have at least one mortal sin a year Just go during lent and try to get into the habit of going a bit more frequently–maybe quareterly for next year,then increase it to monthly after that. You’ll be glad you did!!

 

[newcalling]

If I could find a place closer to town it would be easier to go more often. I live an hour from town and I don’t drive. I don’t want to schedule a confession because I want to use a booth, not face to face. My first confession was face-to-face and I didn’t like it. So, the main reason I haven’t gone again since then is that it is difficult to time up when I can get into town and when confessions are scheduled at the one parish which still uses confessionals. I am going to make an extra effort to do it during Lent, even if it means that I have to do face to face.