Frequent confession

[Kahlesson]

Hello everyone,

I think confession is wonderful and I go about once a month. I would like to go every two weeks, because I am dealing with strong sexual temptations quite often. The reason why I do not dare to go to confession more often is because I do not want to bother the priest. (In my parish there are no scheduled confessions on certain days. So if I want to go to confession I have to make an appointment and the priest has to make time for me which he could have used better). I have been dealing with these temptations for a long time. I think that more frequent confession (once in two weeks minimal, perhaps once a week) can help me overcome these temptations. When I fall to mortal sin I have sometimes waited a whole week (or two) before going to confession, because I just went about a week ago. Do you think that I should go every two weeks/once a week no matter what the priest thinks?

Thank you,

 

[Bookcat]

We are* free.*

Either go every two weeks or every week. (I go every week).

It may be that 2 weeks is a good choice for you.

It is totally up to you. You could also find other places for confession too…other parishes…shrines…the Cathedral.

If you do ever fall into mortal sin - go right away. No waiting for a week please…seek to make an act of perfect contrition in the meantime and go right away even if confession was that morning!

 

[Bookcat]

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

scborromeo.org/ccc/p2s2c2a4.htm#VII

 

[Bookcat]

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

scborromeo.org/ccc/p2s2c2a4.htm#VII

 

[Bookcat]

temptations,

Note that temptations per se are not sins. So are not matter for confession. Though of course one can discuss means to overcome or there could be venial sins via where there was not full consent etc…

And one can always confess past confessed sins against that virtue -seeking special grace in that area.

 

[Dorothy]

“kahlesson”,

I don’t know you personally, but would like to make a suggestion that may be helpful.

Occasionally read a good spiritual book, and add some more prayer to your devotional life.

If you are already doing this, just keep it up!

Blessings,

Dorothy

 

[Deus_tecum]

Kahl,

I don’t agree with your church’s policy of making you schedule an appointment for confession. It used to be fairly anonymous with the booth, the screen, the muted lighting, and a long enough line where even if the priest recognized your voice you could be lost in the shuffle of his memory. I recently heard Father Larry on the radio tell a shy person that those were reasons he should not fear coming to confession.

 

[Deus_tecum]

Note that temptations per se are not sins.

That’s a good point. Entertaining the temptation in one’s thoughts could be a sin, though. If one experiences a sudden sexual arousal from a fleeting thought or perhaps from a glance at a particularly beautiful example of the opposite sex, then they have not sinned, but as soon as they continue the stimulation by fantasizing with the thought, or following the attractive person with their eyes, then they have sinned. Sexual arousal is a drug so to speak that one can take additional doses of just by thinking.

 

[George_Stegmeir]

I am 79 years old. I went to a Jesuit Parochial School during the 1940’s and early '50’s that had the Sisters of St. Joseph for teachers. We were taught that frequent Confession was de rigor, with weekly being the norm.
I was away from the church for many years. I became non observant when I was in the Navy and everything was in Latin. I returned to the Faith after all the reforms took place. Something I fail to understand in my Parish is that I see very few people at Confession during its regularly scheduled time, yet more than half of the congregation receives Communion at Sunday Mass.
Could it be that I live in a Parish of Saints?

 

[Dorothy]

I am 79 years old. I went to a Jesuit Parochial School during the 1940’s and early '50’s that had the Sisters of St. Joseph for teachers. We were taught that frequent Confession was de rigor, with weekly being the norm.
I was away from the church for many years. I became non observant when I was in the Navy and everything was in Latin. I returned to the Faith after all the reforms took place. Something I fail to understand in my Parish is that I see very few people at Confession during its regularly scheduled time, yet more than half of the congregation receives Communion at Sunday Mass.
Could it be that I live in a Parish of Saints?

I believe that the reason is that a re-catechesis on the sacrament of confession needs to be promoted.

People seemed to have lost the awareness that graces come through the sacrament when it is prepared for and prayed about beforetime.

 

[ThankUJP2]

I believe that the reason is that a re-catechesis on the sacrament of confession needs to be promoted.

People seemed to have lost the awareness that graces come through the sacrament when it is prepared for and prayed about beforetime.

Absolutely spot on!

To the OP, I think that if you really want to grow in your ability to deal with this type of sin you would do best to frequent confession with the same, good confessor and talk to him face to face (no screen). This will help tremendously, and almost immediately, as you will be building a relationship with the Priest. In addition to hearing your confession, he will quickly become a spiritual director, which is invaluable. Prayers for strength in temptations…

 

[pensmama87]

I believe that the reason is that a re-catechesis on the sacrament of confession needs to be promoted.

People seemed to have lost the awareness that graces come through the sacrament when it is prepared for and prayed about beforetime.

Yes, I agree with this.

Also, as a practical matter, I am to go to confession about once a month, and I rarely go to my parish’s scheduled times because they do not fit in well with my schedule (conflicts with work, primarily). So I go to a neighboring parish.

The stated requirement is also only once per year, and while I think frequent confession is great, there may be people who don’t regularly or ever commit mortal sin and do not feel the attachment to confession that you commonly find among CAFers. By itself, not going to confession frequently is not a sign that someone is not serious about their faith, if they are meeting the requirement and not in a state of mortal sin.

 

[InThePew]

Hello everyone,

I think confession is wonderful and I go about once a month. I would like to go every two weeks, because I am dealing with strong sexual temptations quite often. The reason why I do not dare to go to confession more often is because I do not want to bother the priest. (In my parish there are no scheduled confessions on certain days. So if I want to go to confession I have to make an appointment and the priest has to make time for me which he could have used better).

For serious matters you should go as soon as possible. For less serious matters a bit of regular spiritual housecleaning is always a good idea.

As for "bothering’ the priest - it’s his job to hear your confession so there’s nothing else more important he could be using the time for.

 

[Dorothy]

And it gives the priest much joy to hear from people who want to grow in His grace!

 

[ajecphotos]

One of my priests told me that out of all the duties he does, being a confessor was the most rewarding and brought him very close to God. Seek your priest and confess. They are there for you!

 

[camkutz]

For me I like to go every week, but this isn’t always possible (but usually it is!) even if there aren’t any scheduled confessions, I’ve never in my time booked an appointment with a priest, usually before Mass I asked the priest if I could have confession before or after Mass and they always say yes! Frequent confession is beautiful, and I can’t wait to be washed clean again in the Lord! The grace and strength you believe is amazing and for me my faith has grown, even if it’s just confessing venial sins it helps me overcome habits and even review small details in my life which usually I wouldn’t notice such as curse words

 

[Matt_Collins]

Something I fail to understand in my Parish is that I see very few people at Confession during its regularly scheduled time, yet more than half of the congregation receives Communion at Sunday Mass.
Could it be that I live in a Parish of Saints?

I think there are several reasons that, taken together, have led to this:

1. Poor catechesis on the requirement to be in a state of grace to receive Holy Communion.
2. Poor catechesis on what the state of grace is.
3. Poor catechesis on what a mortal sin is.
4. Lack of encouragement FROM THE PULPIT for parishioners to go to confession.
5. The almost universal assumption by people that they must go to Holy Communion to “fully participate” in the Mass.
6. The almost universal tendency for parishes to “usher” people pew-by-pew puts pressure on people to go to Holy Communion, even when they know they should not, or even when they simply prefer not to go.

 

[Mike_Dye]

Hello everyone,

I think confession is wonderful and I go about once a month. I would like to go every two weeks, because I am dealing with strong sexual temptations quite often. The reason why I do not dare to go to confession more often is because I do not want to bother the priest. (In my parish there are no scheduled confessions on certain days. So if I want to go to confession I have to make an appointment and the priest has to make time for me which he could have used better). I have been dealing with these temptations for a long time. I think that more frequent confession (once in two weeks minimal, perhaps once a week) can help me overcome these temptations. When I fall to mortal sin I have sometimes waited a whole week (or two) before going to confession, because I just went about a week ago. Do you think that I should go every two weeks/once a week no matter what the priest thinks?

Thank you,

The old Baltimore Catechism we used as kids in school defined a sacrament as an outward sign instituted by Christ to give grace. That applies to confession and all of the sacraments. I have found that the graces received from frequent confession helps to avoid those sins that I seem to be drawn to. I would urge your priest to try having a scheduled time in the parish for confessions.