Do all Catholics have to confess?

[Mike_Dye]

As our parish’s main R.C.I. A. instructor I make absolutely sure that our people know the necessity of Confession for the removal of sin. I put special emphasis on how much God loves them and wants to forgive them and shower them with His mercy, and how frequent confession bestows graces that helps us to reject sin.

 

[paperwight66]

As our parish’s main R.C.I. A. instructor I make absolutely sure that our people know the necessity of Confession for the removal of sin. I put special emphasis on how much God loves them and wants to forgive them and shower them with His mercy, and how frequent confession bestows graces that helps us to reject sin.

But I hope you don’t leave them with the idea that venial sins can only be forgiven via the Sacrament of Penance, nor that everyone has to go to confession at least once a year, as keeps being claimed by other posters.

 

[AsYouWish]

yes, all Catholics – at least those over 7 years of age, that is – need to confess their sins. Even if you have no mortal sins to confess, you should regularly avail yourself of the Sacrament of Reconciliation in order to confess your venial sins.

Why not just confess your sins to God?..Is there something wrong with that?

 

[Mike_Dye]

But I hope you don’t leave them with the idea that venial sins can only be forgiven via the Sacrament of Penance, nor that everyone has to go to confession at least once a year, as keeps being claimed by other posters.

No, we go over the difference between serious mortal sins and venial sin, and while only mortal sins need to be forgiven by a priest. I still encourage them go to confession on a regular basis and if there are no serious sins (which I hope is the case) to confess their lesser sins. All sin harms our soul and venial sins ignored over a period of time can make more serious offenses against God easier to commit. The graces they receive at every confession strengthens them to avoid all sin.

 

[AsYouWish]

only mortal sins need to be forgiven by a priest.

Why not God?

 

[thistle]

Do all Catholics have to confess? Good question.

When I read that question, I couldn’t help but think of a story that my dentist loves to tell. A patient once asked him if flossing was really necessary. The dentist told his patient, “No, flossing is not necessary. Flossing is optional. You only have to floss around those teeth that you want to keep in your mouth.”

All joking aside, yes, all Catholics – at least those over 7 years of age, that is – need to confess their sins. Even if you have no mortal sins to confess, you should regularly avail yourself of the Sacrament of Reconciliation in order to confess your venial sins.

We are talking about what is required and not what is strongly recommended.

We are only required to confess mortal sins.

 

[zab]

From the Catechism of the Catholic Church vatican.va/archive/ccc_css/archive/catechism/p3s1c3a3.htm

II. THE PRECEPTS OF THE CHURCH

2041 The precepts of the Church are set in the context of a moral life bound to and nourished by liturgical life. The obligatory character of these positive laws decreed by the pastoral authorities is meant to guarantee to the faithful the very necessary minimum in the spirit of prayer and moral effort, in the growth in love of God and neighbor:
[2042](javascriptpenWindow(‘cr/2042.htm’) The first precept (“You shall attend Mass on Sundays and holy days of obligation and rest from servile labor”) requires the faithful to sanctify the day commemorating the Resurrection of the Lord as well as the principal liturgical feasts honoring the mysteries of the Lord, the Blessed Virgin Mary, and the saints; in the first place, by participating in the Eucharistic celebration, in which the Christian community is gathered, and by resting from those works and activities which could impede such a sanctification of these days.82
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
The third precept (“You shall receive the sacrament of the Eucharist 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.84
[2043](javascriptpenWindow(‘cr/2043.htm’) The fourth precept (“You shall observe the days of fasting and abstinence established by the Church”) ensures the times of ascesis and penance which prepare us for the liturgical feasts and help us acquire mastery over our instincts and freedom of heart.85
The fifth precept (“You shall help to provide for the needs of the Church”) means that the faithful are obliged to assist with the material needs of the Church, each according to his own ability.86 The faithful also have the duty of providing for the material needs of the Church, each according to his own abilities.87

 

[thistle]

No. Even Mother Teresa’s confessor got a bit fed up with her confessing to him daily and told her that was not necessary.