Hate going to confession

[constantconvert]

If I haven’t committed a mortal sin, how often do I have to go to confession? I go about once every two months, sometimes more often. I really dread it, so I’m just wondering how often I should go. I know I only have to go once a year, but I feel like I should go more often to participate in the sacrament.

 

[curlycool89]

If I haven’t committed a mortal sin, how often do I have to go to confession? I go about once every two months, sometimes more often. I really dread it, so I’m just wondering how often I should go. I know I only have to go once a year, but I feel like I should go more often to participate in the sacrament.

I’ve had good priests tell me that once a month is good when you don’t have any mortal sins on your conscience.

 

[Imperial_Guard]

I think many of us have a feeling of dread (along with guilt) when we go to confession. I think this is good in the long run as it helps form your moral compass. Not only will you try to avoid sin for the sake of God, His law, and your soul, but also because you don’t want to have to tell father about it! The dread can be purifying.

 

[Blue_Cricket]

Perhaps it is the priest you are going to that you are failing to connect with?

Don’t worry about going to Confession as often as you take a physical shower, but I myself try to make it about once a week. I should say that I have even been caught by pleasant surprise once or twice when the priest, versed in both the laws of the Church and human nature, has said to me “Don’t worry–the actual mistake you are making is to think you have sinned when in actuality you haven’t.”

Confession is so much more than a smack across the back of the head and the words “Bad Follower! Two Rosaries!” When known by its current term of Reconciliation and still accepted for the fullness of the Sacrament that it is, this priceless spiritual “clean-off” gives me a chance to rebalence my life, and pray that the lives of any I have injured also be repaired by God’s infinite Grace. And, for the record, it has been rare I have gotten “Two Rosaries!” (Maybe something to do with grace and ‘practice makes perfect’? hee hee!)

Yours in Christ

 

[TheRealJuliane]

If I haven’t committed a mortal sin, how often do I have to go to confession? I go about once every two months, sometimes more often. I really dread it, so I’m just wondering how often I should go. I know I only have to go once a year, but I feel like I should go more often to participate in the sacrament.

Sure you dread it going in, but don’t you feel amazingly clean and filled with grace afterward? I know I do.

 

[pbecke]

Well, folks, I’m a bit puzzled about your dislike/fear of going to confession, as it actually concludes with a personal, formal blessing from God via one of his sacramental ministers. That’s not just words. It is the case. You should be walking on air after confession.

You don’t have to go into the details; your confessor doesn’t want to hear your life-history, even recent, just the nature of the sins you committed. “On several ocasions I committed detraction” or, if you really want to give some local colour, “I was guilty of blurting out spiteful things about someone in our club, this week, to other members”, for example, would be adequate. You don’t have to cite chapter and verse: who it was, when it was, what time of day it was, where you were, who took coffee and who took tea, how many sugars, etc.

A wonderful Jesuit priest, who died fairly recently (time passes quickly when you get old), told me that a fortnight was normally the optimal interval between confessions - and I found that to be right for me, by my own experience.

 

[constantconvert]

Thanks for your (name removed by moderator)ut everyone. I guess I will try for between 2 weeks and a month. I’m not sure why I dislike it so much, other than the obvious of having to say my sins out loud. Our priests are great, and I do feel better afterward. Still, all that is overshadowed by my dread, even though I rarely have a serious sin to confess. I guess I just wish I was more holy.

I would feel a lot worse though, if there WASN’T any sacrament of Reconcilliation. Maybe I should think about it that way, and I’ll start to appreciate it more!

 

[TheRealJuliane]

Thanks for your (name removed by moderator)ut everyone. I guess I will try for between 2 weeks and a month. I’m not sure why I dislike it so much, other than the obvious of having to say my sins out loud. Our priests are great, and I do feel better afterward. Still, all that is overshadowed by my dread, even though I rarely have a serious sin to confess. I guess I just wish I was more holy.

I would feel a lot worse though, if there WASN’T any sacrament of Reconcilliation. Maybe I should think about it that way, and I’ll start to appreciate it more!

I love confession! Even though I am aghast at my sinful nature…And we are in the adoration chapel, so waiting to confess is THAT painful since Jesus is right there…my heart always breaks in two when I go in and face my continuing sins…It’s worth it, because the grace of God floods over me in absolution. In my life, there is nothing like it. NOTHING. I don’t enjoy the act of confessing. It’s always painful, but I know Jesus forgives me.

And I go about every 2-3 weeks. After not having gone for over 20 years, I think that’s about right. That way, I don’t carry around a ton of guilt for too long.

 

[Thomas31]

Sure you dread it going in, but don’t you feel amazingly clean and filled with grace afterward? I know I do.

I love the feeling i get after i go to confession… i just love hearing and knowing that im loved and forgiven of my sins! I wish though that my church had confession before every mass.

 

[TheRealJuliane]

I love the feeling i get after i go to confession… i just love hearing and knowing that im loved and forgiven of my sins! I wish though that my church had confession before every mass.

I think that would make things easier on the priests, actually - the confessions would probably be a LOT shorter, sort of like a “10 sins or less” express lane.

 

[KathleenGee]

I am a cradle Catholic…over 60…same sentiment forever…that is why it is called, Penance.

All I can say is to be honest…and look forward to absolution…it is your encounter with Christ, His healing and your restoration…going out, the world is in perfect balance again.

 

[Luvtosew]

Perhaps it is the priest you are going to that you are failing to connect with?

Don’t worry about going to Confession as often as you take a physical shower, but I myself try to make it about once a week. I should say that I have even been caught by pleasant surprise once or twice when the priest, versed in both the laws of the Church and human nature, has said to me “Don’t worry–the actual mistake you are making is to think you have sinned when in actuality you haven’t.”

Confession is so much more than a smack across the back of the head and the words “Bad Follower! Two Rosaries!” When known by its current term of Reconciliation and still accepted for the fullness of the Sacrament that it is, this priceless spiritual “clean-off” gives me a chance to rebalence my life, and pray that the lives of any I have injured also be repaired by God’s infinite Grace. And, for the record, it has been rare I have gotten “Two Rosaries!” (Maybe something to do with grace and ‘practice makes perfect’? hee hee!)

Yours in Christ

Wow, two rosaries?? the most I ever got was a couple Our Fathers and few Hail Marys,
you must of been bad. just teasing of couse.

 

[jesusmylover]

If I haven’t committed a mortal sin, how often do I have to go to confession? I go about once every two months, sometimes more often. I really dread it, so I’m just wondering how often I should go. I know I only have to go once a year, but I feel like I should go more often to participate in the sacrament.

Hey my friend!

You don’t have to go to the confession only after have committed a mortal sin. You have to go there when you can. Every week if it’s possible for you

I go every month, and if i could, i would have made it every week. We need it, it’s the sacrament of LOVE. It’s a source of graces, you cannot imagine.

God Bless You.

leandresz.com/en/

 

[ClayPots47]

If I haven’t committed a mortal sin, how often do I have to go to confession? I go about once every two months, sometimes more often. I really dread it, so I’m just wondering how often I should go. I know I only have to go once a year, but I feel like I should go more often to participate in the sacrament.

If you haven’t committed a mortal sin, you don’t have to go at all. And the once-a-year rule is the minimum for those who have mortal sin. So, it isn’t a matter of how often you have to, but how often should you. Many resources suggest a minimum of once a month. If you are regularly doing the required acts to gain plenary indulgences for yourself or the souls in purgatory, then you should go every 2 weeks.

Perhaps you should ask yourself why you dread it? Is there an underlying anxiety issue? Since you don’t have any mortal sins to confess, do you find it difficult to find specific venial sins to confess? Has it become a chore to examine your conscience and find sins to confess? Do you find it difficult to confess to a specific priest? Are you overwhelmed by feelings of guilt and/or shame? Determining what causes you to feel dread, and acknowledging it, might help you to work at feeling less dread. It is normal to experience some feelings of fear, guilt, shame, anxiety, etc. But if they contribute such feelings of dread that you find it difficult to more frequently participate in the Sacrament of Reconciliation, you may find it helpful to bring them up with the priest hearing your confession. He may have some suggestions and/or advice to help you deal with the source of your dread.