How often do you go to Confession?

[Balance]

It’s a poll whose results are meaningless.

The people who post to Catholic forums tend to be devout people who go to confession frequently. If you did a poll of the average Joe in the pew, I’m 100% sure you’d have a completely different set of responses.

So, what is this poll really telling you? That there are some people who go weekly, monthly, whatever…and so what about that?

A poll such as this pops up periodically and I fail to see the need for such a thing.

Especially when the OP puts nothing up except for a request of how often you go to confession. As if it is anyones business how often anyone else goes to confession.

I tend to wonder about the aims of posting a poll like this as well. Mannyfit, maybe you could’ve given a bit more direction in your post (or do it now?) about what you were expecting/hoping for when you set the poll up?

I don’t know, I’m always reminded, when I see a poll like this - or “How often do you go to Mass” etc - of Matthew 6.6 (and its context): But when you pray, go to your private room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your father who is in that secret place, and your Father who sees all that is done in secret will reward you.

The frequency (or infrequency!) of my confessions is something I kind of like to keep in “that secret place.” I don’t need to tell anyone else (especially strangers!) about it.

Maybe that’s just me - I just thought, seeing as a couple of others seemed to feel the same or similar, I’d throw my 2c in. No big deal.

 

[LilyM]

That would be frustrating.

Incidentally, my confession was longer than usual because I used that examination of conscience guide that you had posted in another thread a couple of weeks ago. That was more thorough than most others that I have seen. Thanks.

attagirl

It’s a good one isn’t it

 

[OutinChgoburbs]

It’s a poll whose results are meaningless.

The people who post to Catholic forums tend to be devout people who go to confession frequently. If you did a poll of the average Joe in the pew, I’m 100% sure you’d have a completely different set of responses.

So, what is this poll really telling you? That there are some people who go weekly, monthly, whatever…and so what about that?

It’s helpful to Mannyfit, who asked. I don’t think it’s meant to be scientific.

 

[BlyssfulDreamer]

Does that really happen that people in line might not get to make their confession? I was in a long line for confession last night, and it was moving very slowly, because literally everyone in line had a long confession. We ended up going well beyond the posted time for confession. Do priests really say, “Sorry, times up.”???

Yep! It happens! it happened to me just last week. We have Confessions befoe each weekday Mass and there were 3 of us in line and one man was there for 15 minutes. Well…that was it and Mass was about to start and so the light went out and I never got to receive Communion.

As for the importance of this poll…it is just human interest to me. Don’t make such a big deal out of it.

:heart:Blyss

 

[stinkcat_14]

Unfortunately there are no choices for anything between monthy and annually, so I chose annually. I should go monthly, but it seems to end up about every 6 months or so.

 

[Ave_Maria_1]

Well, I did not go to confession from the age of 21 until the age of 40. Had I died during that time…

Well, it would not have been pretty.

But at age 40, Our Lady got a hold of me, thanks be to God!
She asks in her apparitions for souls to go to confession monthly. And so I did. Then it became about every 3 weeks. Then I read about indulgences. One can earn a plenary indulgence every day by doing the indulgenced act and if within an octave (8 days before or after) of confession. So I began to go every other week. As I go to daily Mass and so forth, I could earn these plenary indulgences to apply to the souls in purgatory every day.

But then the second week became long and so I started to go almost weekly. Then I became a member of the third Order of St. Francis where weekly confession is also recommended so that confimed that. Weekly confession was once the norm!
It is still the norm for souls who are pursuing union with God. I am far from holy but it is the path for holiness.

I have a regular confessor who hears ’ the regular sinners’ every Saturday morning before his ‘private’ Mass. He is a retired priest. But for years I had to work my Saturday around the inconvenient 45 minutes of confession time at the parish. I am spoiled now.

Ave Maria!

 

[Maria1212]

I did not answer the poll because my answer is “It depends.” I believe regular confession is a good thing and I am not able to go as often as I like. ( I live overseas and prefer to go to Confession in English). I am able to go on a regular basis but sometimes worry that because the priests are so busy, I do not want to take up too much of the time. But I know that offering the Sacrament of Confession is one of the most important things priests do.

I find this poll encouraging, because it encourages me to go more frequently. I find that the longer I go between Confessions, the more I dread or put off going. And that is not a good thing!!

I think each person should follow the Church guidelines on this. I know for myself, I do not go as often as I should. I personally know many Catholics who are afraid to go to Confession because they have been away so long. I think threads like this can help give others the courage to receive the Sacrament.

Sincerely

Maria1212

 

[KatieD]

I go monthly - this was after years of not going at all. I have to say that at first I was really nervous. Now, however, I’m used to going, I tend to have the same priest when I go, and I really feel great afterwards. I think going regularly helps - I am much more aware of my actions and behavior now. And I’ve received some wonderful counsel from our priests.

 

[acadian]

I’m on the once a year plan. When we went during Advent, one of my children asked why we only go once a year. So I’m thinking that maybe we should put it on the calendar every 3 months or so. That would put us going during Lent, which would be good timing.

I can’t imagine going every week or even every month, but you never know. For a long time, I’ve felt like I’ve been called to go more often, but I’ll go with baby steps for now.

I went many years without going at all. Returning to the confessional after all that time was one of the best things I ever did. Awesome, awesome sacrament.

 

[puzzleannie]

I use the same rule as taking a bath or washing my truck: whenever I need to. I bathe daily, but like most people, I usually let my truck go too long, and sometimes go too long without confession, too.

 

[puzzleannie]

I can’t imagine him to say it like that.
But people can’t expect the priest to hear each individual without any sort of time schedule or else he could be stuck in the the confessional box till gone bedtime!

most of our priests here are in this situation, and all will say “I will be back in the confessional after Mass for those who wish to confess”.

 

[LeahInancsi]

This type question is one of my pet peeves. I go to confession when necessary.

There should be no comparison in the person who needs to go once a week and the person who needs to go once a year.

What correlation is to be established here?

BTW, Manny, thank you for your service to our country and we are so glad that you made it home safetly.

 

[deanarrca]

Very novice here. haven’t studied enough yet. However the way it was explained to me Confession is to confess Mortal sins. Mortal sins I thought were the biggies where the Bible says you won’t get into the kingdom such as Adulter,Fornication, Sodemy, Drunkenes, Stealing etc… However reading on these boards Mortal sins seems like a subjective area. I have seen where one can almost make any sin into a mortal sin. Then what about sins of conscious when something bothers someones conscious-- it is a sin to him, but not neccessarily a sin to everyone else? Just curious. My understanding like the poster above- If you aren’t comitting Mortal sins every week why go to confession every week. Still learning only in inquiry part of RCIA. I have noticed ampng some Catholics tend to measure their own and others spirituality by how “churchy” they are. It isn’t the person who attends the most masses (ie goes to Mass every day as opposed to once a week) or goes to confession the most often but the conditon of the heart that is more important. Anyway I’m still learning
Smiles
Deana

 

[jpjd]

Deanarrca,

You may be still learning, but you are absolutely right about how some people consider “churchy” people more spiritual or holy. Displays of piety can be an outward expression of inward devotion to God, but very often they are just that…displays.

How a person lives their life is a much better indicator of the “condition of the heart,” as you put it. Let us all use Mass, confession, and true expressions of piety as a means to help us grow in grace and bring the light of Christ to the world.

That’s what it’s all about.

 

[Titus]

Very novice here. haven’t studied enough yet. However the way it was explained to me Confession is to confess Mortal sins. Mortal sins I thought were the biggies where the Bible says you won’t get into the kingdom such as Adulter,Fornication, Sodemy, Drunkenes, Stealing etc… However reading on these boards Mortal sins seems like a subjective area. I have seen where one can almost make any sin into a mortal sin. Then what about sins of conscious when something bothers someones conscious-- it is a sin to him, but not neccessarily a sin to everyone else? Just curious. My understanding like the poster above- If you aren’t comitting Mortal sins every week why go to confession every week. Still learning only in inquiry part of RCIA. I have noticed ampng some Catholics tend to measure their own and others spirituality by how “churchy” they are. It isn’t the person who attends the most masses (ie goes to Mass every day as opposed to once a week) or goes to confession the most often but the conditon of the heart that is more important. Anyway I’m still learning
Smiles
Deana

I agree:thumbsup: !

Remember: 1) that one may use confession for venial sins, it just isn’t absolutely necessary 2) a sin is mortal when the matter is grave and committed with full intent & competence: 3) that these forums don’t give a cross-section of the Church, they represent a more active part of it.
According to an examination of conscience I’ve seen, playing Dungeons & Dragons is a mortal sin. That shocked me.

 

[mark_a]

Have yourself prepared beforehand prior to your next confession so that you spend no more than five minutes in the confessional. Taking 45 minutes to confess your sins is unfair to the others waiting in the queue. More than likely half of those waiting won’t a chance to make their confession.

Ok. I had let stuff pile up for 13 years.

Maybe you ought to mention this to the priest the next time you confess your sins.

Yea, right. Do you think I want my head bit off again?

 

[tptram]

For Christmas, I promised Jesus that, for His birthday, I will offer my sins as a present to Him.
And I heard that John Paul II went to confession every week.
So I go to confession every week.

I commute about 45 min to work. Did you know that cut someone off is a sin against prudence & charity? Did you know that by not letting that Camaro in at a merge section into your lane is a sin against justice & charity?
If we just think ahead and think it through, we can reduce alot of stress in traffic (and hopefully less road rage).

I used to stressed out by the time I got home from work. But keeping a charitable mind and pray for those idiots help alot

So I really need to go to confession every week

By God grace, I intend to keep my promise.

Tak

PS. this poll helps my resolve

 

[Mannyfit75]

hi mannyfit,

i go as often as i can when i can get to church. my health is lacking but the priest does come over to give me Holy Communion, so i get to confess when he comes over.

so for me, its about once a month.

good post!

That is amazing. I’m please that he takes time to see you so you can get the Sacrament of Reconciliation and Holy Communion

 

[Mannyfit75]

This type question is one of my pet peeves. I go to confession when necessary.

There should be no comparison in the person who needs to go once a week and the person who needs to go once a year.

What correlation is to be established here?

BTW, Manny, thank you for your service to our country and we are so glad that you made it home safetly.

I’m due to deploy again this year.

I was over there from Aug 19, 2005 to June 26, 2006.

Pray for me

 

[obscured]

sounds like someone hit a nerve. it was just a curious poll.