How Often Do You Go To Confession?

[aurora77]

After reading this thread, I’m feeling like a slacker–I’m on the every 6-8 weeks rotation. It’s about time to go again, too. Some of the best advice I ever heard about confession was that there are two times we need to go–when we’ve done something really bad and when we haven’t done anything really bad.

 

[Honoria20]

I go about once a month.

 

[tdandh26]

I dont want to have to answer for more than one weeks worth of sin, because it might take me longer to explain them to Jesus than the time it would take to make up for them in purgatory. Not to mention the great graces we receive from going.

 

[edward_george]

I go about once a month, more frequently if I feel it is necessary. I usually go before Mass on the Sundays that I read (I’m a reader in our church, and we’re on a monthly rotation–so it works out nicely).

-ACEGC

 

[ChemicalBean]

deekod1967:

Acts of Perfect Contrition

1. My God, I am sorry for my sins with all my heart. In choosing to do wrong and failing to do good, I have sinned against you whom I should love above all things. I firmly intend, with your help, to do penance, to sin no more, and to avoid whatever leads me to sin. Our Savior Jesus Christ suffered and died for us. In his name, my God, have mercy
2. O my God, I am sorry for my sins because I have offended you. I know I should love you above all things. Help me to do penance, to do better, and to avoid anything that might lead me to sin. Amen.
3. O Lord Jesus, lover of our souls, who, for the great love with which You loved us, willed not the death of a sinner, but rather that he should be converted and live, I grieve from the bottom of my heart that I offended You, my most loving Father and Redeemer, to whom all sin is infinitely displeasing, who so loved us You shed Your blood for me, and endured the bitter torments of a most cruel death. O my God, my infinite Goodness, would that I never offended You. Pardon me, O Lord Jesus, as I most humbly implore Your mercy. Have pity on a sinner for whom Your blood pleads before the face of the Father. Amen.
4. O merciful and forgiving Lord, for the love of Your, I forgive all who have ever offended me. I firmly resolve to forsake and flee from all sins, and to avoid the occasions of them, to confess, in bitterness of spirit, all those sins which I committed against Your divine goodness, and to Love You, O my God, for Your own sake, above all things and for ever. Grant me grace so to do, most gracious Lord Jesus. Amen.

Didn’t there used to be some old one that included something like “the promise of heaven and the pains of hell”? Got me every time. I think my grandparents said it. Could anyone here write how it goes? Alas, I learned some cheezy “prayer of sorrow” in CCD and promptly forgot it after 2nd grade.

 

[dulcissima]

Every couple of months. If I know in advance that something is a mortal sin, then I really don’t want to do it anymore. I think it is only when I start reflecting on something that I already did that I realize it was a sin.

 

[Lazerlike42]

deekod1967:

No-one has a right to tell you how often to go to confession, only your conscience (informed by your nightly examination) can tell you how often you should go.

If it feels right to go once a week, then do so - even if it is frowned upon in your Parish.

If after a nightly examination of conscience you feel you have indeed committed mortal sin then I would recommend meditating upon and reciting an Act of Perfect Act Contrition (some examples below) and then going to confession at the earliest opportunity…

Acts of Perfect Contrition

1. My God, I am sorry for my sins with all my heart. In choosing to do wrong and failing to do good, I have sinned against you whom I should love above all things. I firmly intend, with your help, to do penance, to sin no more, and to avoid whatever leads me to sin. Our Savior Jesus Christ suffered and died for us. In his name, my God, have mercy
2. O my God, I am sorry for my sins because I have offended you. I know I should love you above all things. Help me to do penance, to do better, and to avoid anything that might lead me to sin. Amen.
3. O Lord Jesus, lover of our souls, who, for the great love with which You loved us, willed not the death of a sinner, but rather that he should be converted and live, I grieve from the bottom of my heart that I offended You, my most loving Father and Redeemer, to whom all sin is infinitely displeasing, who so loved us You shed Your blood for me, and endured the bitter torments of a most cruel death. O my God, my infinite Goodness, would that I never offended You. Pardon me, O Lord Jesus, as I most humbly implore Your mercy. Have pity on a sinner for whom Your blood pleads before the face of the Father. Amen. 4) O merciful and forgiving Lord, for the love of Your, I forgive all who have ever offended me. I firmly resolve to forsake and flee from all sins, and to avoid the occasions of them, to confess, in bitterness of spirit, all those sins which I committed against Your divine goodness, and to Love You, O my God, for Your own sake, above all things and for ever. Grant me grace so to do, most gracious Lord Jesus. Amen.

In all of this, remember God is Love and He understands you, there is no need for being over-scrupulous and worrying over every little venial sin. But mortal sins are to be acted upon as soon as possible.

Here is a useful link on examination of conscience and confession etc, there is also a link to a list of common mortal sins which is very useful at night prayer also.

catholicdoors.com/prayers/consc.htm

God Bless,

DD

Woah woah woah! We have to be extremely careful here. These are acts of contrition, NOT perfect contrition. Perfect contrition is the state of the heart in which a person is truly, deeply, and authentically sorry for having sinned because of the fact that he or she has offended God. It does NOT mean that a person is sorry for his sins just because he knows its wrong or just because he’s afraid of hell. You can be sorry because you have offended God AND also be afraid of hell, but if you do not have sorrow that is a result simply of having offended God, that is NOT perfect contrition. This is incredibly important, because perfect contrition is something that will be sufficient for forgiveness of mortal sins if a person is incapable of making it to confession before he or she dies. If a person only is afraid of hell or only is sorry just because he knows its wrong, then that person has what is called imperfect contrition and will not be forgiven unless he goes to Sacramental confession. Calling these prayers acts of perfect contrition could confuse someone into thinking that simply saying them will be sufficient for the forgiveness of mortal sins, which it is NOT. (Also, if a person has perfect contrition, he still must go to confession at the first time he is able, because neglecting to do so is itself another mortal sin.)

 

[Lazerlike42]

ChemicalBean:

Didn’t there used to be some old one that included something like “the promise of heaven and the pains of hell”? Got me every time. I think my grandparents said it. Could anyone here write how it goes? Alas, I learned some cheezy “prayer of sorrow” in CCD and promptly forgot it after 2nd grade.

Oh my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended thee. I detest all my sins because I dread the loss of heaven and the pains of hell.

But most of all because they offend You, my God, Who are all good and deserving of all my love.

I firmly resolve, with the help of Your grace to sin no more and to avoid the near occasions of sin.

Amen.

 

[tdandh26]

Lazerlike42:

Woah woah woah! We have to be extremely careful here. These are acts of contrition, NOT perfect contrition. Perfect contrition is the state of the heart in which a person is truly, deeply, and authentically sorry for having sinned because of the fact that he or she has offended God. It does NOT mean that a person is sorry for his sins just because he knows its wrong or just because he’s afraid of hell. You can be sorry because you have offended God AND also be afraid of hell, but if you do not have sorrow that is a result simply of having offended God, that is NOT perfect contrition. This is incredibly important, because perfect contrition is something that will be sufficient for forgiveness of mortal sins if a person is incapable of making it to confession before he or she dies. If a person only is afraid of hell or only is sorry just because he knows its wrong, then that person has what is called imperfect contrition and will not be forgiven unless he goes to Sacramental confession. Calling these prayers acts of perfect contrition could confuse someone into thinking that simply saying them will be sufficient for the forgiveness of mortal sins, which it is NOT. (Also, if a person has perfect contrition, he still must go to confession at the first time he is able, because neglecting to do so is itself another mortal sin.)

Very well said, but may I add that a person who truely experiences perfect contrition will assuredly desire to do Gods Will and will seek out the nearest confessional as soon as possible. That person will not make excuses or exceptions or even attempt to justify themselves, rather they will become absolutely humbled and desire to kneel before the tribunal of self judgement and act as prosecutor to the priest who stands in persona Christi.

 

[ChemicalBean]

Thanks Lazer!

 

[mosher]

Everyman:

At RCIA the other night, our priest gave a talk on confession/penance/absolution and explained that once a year is the minimum requirement. He then said that he recommended 3-4 times a year.

Some of us asked if we could ge weekly, and he basically said that would be overkill. He said if there was a particular sin that needed worked on, then maybe monthly, but that’s about it. He said he personally went every other month.

So, what do you think. Once I am recieved at Easter, I thought I could start going every week. But apperantly that would not be welcomed at my parish.

At the seminary we were taught to go to confession at least once a month. I am personally under council to go every two weeks. Twice a month is not bad. If you can avoid mortal sin for that long then great but I don’t think it should be less than once a month no matter what.

 

[LilyM]

mosher:

At the seminary we were taught to go to confession at least once a month. I am personally under council to go every two weeks. Twice a month is not bad. If you can avoid mortal sin for that long then great but I don’t think it should be less than once a month no matter what.

I do go once a week, simply to make sure that I’m all square to receive the Eucharist on Sunday. I don’t think that’s too often, unless your parish has few priests and lots of people flocking round at Confession times.

 

[deekod1967]

Lazerlike42:

Woah woah woah! We have to be extremely careful here. These are acts of contrition, NOT perfect contrition. Perfect contrition is the state of the heart in which a person is truly, deeply, and authentically sorry for having sinned because of the fact that he or she has offended God. It does NOT mean that a person is sorry for his sins just because he knows its wrong or just because he’s afraid of hell. You can be sorry because you have offended God AND also be afraid of hell, but if you do not have sorrow that is a result simply of having offended God, that is NOT perfect contrition. This is incredibly important, because perfect contrition is something that will be sufficient for forgiveness of mortal sins if a person is incapable of making it to confession before he or she dies. If a person only is afraid of hell or only is sorry just because he knows its wrong, then that person has what is called imperfect contrition and will not be forgiven unless he goes to Sacramental confession. Calling these prayers acts of perfect contrition could confuse someone into thinking that simply saying them will be sufficient for the forgiveness of mortal sins, which it is NOT. (Also, if a person has perfect contrition, he still must go to confession at the first time he is able, because neglecting to do so is itself another mortal sin.)

With all due respect, I think you havent read my post properly and have missed my point re: meditating upon the Act of Perfect Contrition before saying it…

If after a nightly examination of conscience you feel you have indeed committed mortal sin then I would recommend meditating upon and reciting an Act of Perfect Act Contrition (some examples below) and then going to confession at the earliest opportunity…
I would never advocate simple recitation of any prayer without meditating upon what you are actually communicating to God. Hope this clarifies things for you now.

DD

 

[wjp984]

I usually go once a year but lately that has changed to a couple times a year since confession is offered at the retreats we go on at the Newman Center. The greater sin I probably committ is going to communion still even if I have mortal sins. However I don’t knowingly have them since I relaly am not good at knowing what is a mortal sin and what is not. However the hardest thing to do nowadays is not going to communion when you know you have a mortal sin. Everybody goes to communion nowadays so you just feel weird not going. Anyone who has the courage to not go to communion is a better person than most. When I missed a lot of masses just because I was mad for a while and then went to just one with my dad for Father’s Day, I still receieved communon knowing it was worng for me to do so. Thankfully I have since grown in faith again but I knew I had to both confesss not going to mass and being sacreligious and recieivng communion when I was not supposed to.

 

[twiztedseraph]

wjp984:

I usually go once a year but lately that has changed to a couple times a year since confession is offered at the retreats we go on at the Newman Center. The greater sin I probably committ is going to communion still even if I have mortal sins. However I don’t knowingly have them since I relaly am not good at knowing what is a mortal sin and what is not. However the hardest thing to do nowadays is not going to communion when you know you have a mortal sin. Everybody goes to communion nowadays so you just feel weird not going. Anyone who has the courage to not go to communion is a better person than most. When I missed a lot of masses just because I was mad for a while and then went to just one with my dad for Father’s Day, I still receieved communon knowing it was worng for me to do so. Thankfully I have since grown in faith again but I knew I had to both confesss not going to mass and being sacreligious and recieivng communion when I was not supposed to.

My dear brother/sister, when you receive communion all grace is withdrawn, your petitions are delayed, and you build up time in Purgatory. Its basically the worst sin you can do next to blasphemy of the Holy Spirit. You’re basically eating you’re own damnation when you do that! Might I suggest with all love that you get a spiritual director? Its better to die a martyrs death than to profane the Sacrament of the Altar.

 

[deekod1967]

Lazerlike42:

Oh my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended thee. I detest all my sins because I dread the loss of heaven and the pains of hell.

But most of all because they offend You, my God, Who are all good and deserving of all my love.

I firmly resolve, with the help of Your grace to sin no more and to avoid the near occasions of sin.

Amen.

Here you go… a slightly lengthier version…

“O my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended You, and I detest all my sins, known and unknown, not only because I dread the loss of heaven and the pains of hell, and not only because You are my Creator, my Redeemer and my Sanctifier, but most of all because my sins have offended You, my God, Who is all good in Yourself and deserving of all my love. I firmly resolve, with the help of Your grace, to confess my sins, to do penance and to amend my life. Amen”

DD

 

[Steve-o]

I go once a month, whether I need to or not. Unless, of course, I commit a sin that really eats away at me, then I go as soon as I am able, regardless of it’s been less than a month or not.

 

[scared]

I am not doing well in this department at all, it was 17 years between baptism and first confession. Tried one time after, although it is suppose to be a great sacrament, when it scares the stuffing out of you, well you get the picture. I can only hope it won’t be another 17 years.

scared

 

[Lapsed]

deekod1967:

With all due respect, I think you havent read my post properly and have missed my point re: meditating upon the Act of Perfect Contrition before saying it…

If after a nightly examination of conscience you feel you have indeed committed mortal sin then I would recommend meditating upon and reciting an Act of Perfect Act Contrition (some examples below) and then going to confession at the earliest opportunity…
I would never advocate simple recitation of any prayer without meditating upon what you are actually communicating to God. Hope this clarifies things for you now.

DD

What Lazer was getting at is that you are incorrect in calling these prayers Acts of Perfect Contriotion. The prayers themselves are called Acts of Contrition.

Perfect contrition is a description of the type of contrition needed for absolution. It is the necessary internal state of the sinner when making an Act of Contrition. I think Lazer is just trying to head off any confusion.

 

[EsclavoDeCristo]

Everyman:

At RCIA the other night, our priest gave a talk on confession/penance/absolution and explained that once a year is the minimum requirement. He then said that he recommended 3-4 times a year.

Some of us asked if we could ge weekly, and he basically said that would be overkill. He said if there was a particular sin that needed worked on, then maybe monthly, but that’s about it. He said he personally went every other month.

So, what do you think. Once I am recieved at Easter, I thought I could start going every week. But apperantly that would not be welcomed at my parish.

I have heard that JPII went weekly. If he had sins to confess that often then how much more do we have!!!

I try to go weekly but sometimes drift off and wait 2 weeks (this is because I would be lost without it)!