Confession what's minimun amount a year?

[dizzy_dave]

I have a question about how often a person is required to go to Confession if they do NOT have mortal sin. I personally go about every 2 weeks. I have people say you are only required to go to Confession at least once a year if in mortal sin.

So my question is: If a person goes a year without committing a mortal sin, are they still required to go to Confession at least once a year? If they don’t is it a mortal sin?

 

[lak611]

The Code of Canon Law says this:

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.

 

[mommyof4]

If you’re in mortal sin, you should go immediatly.

 

[conan025]

Someone please correct me if I’m mistaken. Let’s say someone commits a mortal sin, and it’s not possible for them to go to confession for a few days. Would an “Act of Contrition” cover them until it is possible to go to confession.

And, of course, I know they would have to refrain from taking communion until then.

 

[SMHW]

The Code of Canon Law says this:

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

…which pretty much means that if one has not committed any ‘grave’ (mortal) sins then one isn’t required to go to confession.

Now the big question is whether or not it is likely that anyone can go a year without committing a grave sin.

And it is certainly true that going to confession more frequently than yearly is a good idea even when one has not committed any grave sins.

 

[anamchara]

…which pretty much means that if one has not committed any ‘grave’ (mortal) sins then one isn’t required to go to confession.

Now the big question is whether or not it is likely that anyone can go a year without committing a grave sin.

And it is certainly true that going to confession more frequently than yearly is a good idea even when one has not committed any grave sins.

And you never know, maybe you think your covered but your not. Here’s a good guide to use it lays everything out for you

saintaquinas.com/mortal_sin.html

 

[dizzy_dave]

Thanks for the replies thus far. I am more interested in knowing what the answer is if one is NOT in a state of mortal sin.

If a person goes a year with NOT committing a mortal sin, but have committed venile sin are they still required to go to confession once a year?

 

[lak611]

If a person goes a year with NOT committing a mortal sin, but have committed venile sin are they still required to go to confession once a year?

No.

 

[JMJ_coder]

Hello,

This precept goes along with another one:

The third precept (“You shall humbly receive your Creator in Holy Communion at least during the Easter season.") guarantees as a minimum the reception of the Lord’s Body and Blood in connection with the Paschal feasts, the origin and center of the Christian liturgy.(Cf. ⇒ CIC, can. 920; CCEO, cann. 708; 881 # 3.)

But, to be able to fulfill this precept, you have to be in a state of grace (no mortal sins on your conscience). So, this is the purpose for the precept of confession:

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.(Cf. ⇒ CIC, can. 989; CCEO, can. 719.)

But as the canon reads:

Can. 989 After having reached the age of discretion, each member of the faithful is ob-liged to confess faithfully his or her grave sins at least once a year.

So this seems to say to me that only if you have grave sins on your conscience does this precept apply. But, of course, if you commit a mortal sin you should find the nearest confessor as soon as humanly possible.

I also cannot imagine why a Catholic who is living well (i.e., staying in a state of grace) wouldn’t want to avail himself to this Sacrament more often than once a year. Or even how it is possible to stay in a state of grace without the help of the Sacraments, Confession being one of them.

 

[blackrobe]

Someone please correct me if I’m mistaken. Let’s say someone commits a mortal sin, and it’s not possible for them to go to confession for a few days. Would an “Act of Contrition” cover them until it is possible to go to confession.

And, of course, I know they would have to refrain from taking communion until then.

Yes, if the contrition is perfect, meaning sorrow at offending God rather than fear of punishment. And one intends to receive the sacrament of reconciliation asap and follows through on the intent.

JSA