How often should Catholics go to confession/receive communion?

[CrimsonCatholic]

I go once or twice per month, just really depends. If I have to, I’ll go every week just receive communion.

 

[Ohana]

I think others have noted what the “rules” are. Another point that should be mentioned is the grace that accompanies the reception of all the sacraments. Sacramental Grace if I remember my Baltimore II. I think the grace of reconciliation assists us in avoiding sins that are habitual to us, whatever they are. Perhaps because I have a good confessor, I also see reconciliation as a direct encounter with Christ. As such, the grace received helps me “empty out” the garbage in my spirit. I become more sensitive to what is sin - that which distances me from Jesus - and strengthened to live my life more in concert with what he wishes of and for me. For me, the exercise of receiving the Sacraments is like building Spiritual Muscle.

 

[truthseekerjay]

Driving 70 mph in the desert still threatens one’s own safety. And can anyone say, without a doubt, that stealing $1000 from Bill Gates is a venial sin? I believe that people sin all the time and if they honestly don’t think so, then they might be being prideful (the sin that got Satan kicked out of heaven). Anyway, I don’t know if anyone can truly tell if a sin is venial or mortal. I would think that the Catholic Church would want to play it safe and not have it’s members receive communion in an unworthy fashion by emphasizing in mass or religious education the consequences of receiving communion with a mortal sin on one’s conscience. If it doesn’t do so, then I feel that it could potentially be enabling people to continue “eating and drinking damnation unto themselves.” People should definitely take responsibility for their own actions, but since the Catholic Church sees itself as the authority, then I would think that it has a responsibility to its members especially on matters that could lead them to eternal punishment in hell. It seems like there are many people here who already go to confession regularly, but we all know of many people that don’t including family members and friends. I know that we are not here to judge others, but out of love, wouldn’t you and the Catholic Church want to play it safe and encourage people to go to confession more often?

 

[Brendan]

As Anathama pointed out in an earlier post, it is one of the three conditions that must be met in order for a sin to be mortal.

Just to clarify, the knowledge of the grave matter is simple knowledge, they must know that the Church teaches that it is grave matter.

Their personal beliefs on the subject are irrelevant…

For example, if someone knows that the Church teaches that an act is grave matter, but does not personally believe that what the Church teaches is true; if they willfully commit the act, they still commit a mortal sin.

 

[Mrs_Sally]

It is exactly because of the questions you have now that the church encourages all Catholics to receive the sacraments of reconciliation and holy communion often. And to form our intellects and wills (conscience) in alignment with church teaching.

However, the church also knows that it is not possible for many Catholics to get to confession or even Mass on a weekly, or monthly basis. Because of lack of priests, distance, illness or other hardships. Because of that holy mother church does not *require *us to receive any more often than once a year, or to confess any but mortal sins.

Most of us here at CAF have the ability to go to even daily Mass, to receive instruction in church teachings in person, to confess to the priest of our choice monthly or even weekly. If we have those opportunities, we should take advantage of them.

Go to confession regularly and ask your priest for advice, find and attend a Bible study, theology on tap or similar program, go to Mass as often as you can and be truly repentant for your sins before receiving Our Lord in Holy Communion.

 

[truthseekerjay]

Many of the items you listed are venial. Stealing a $3 item wouldn’t be grave matter, for instance.

However, if you have a well-formed conscience, which everyone is supposed to have, you know when something is grave matter.

Now, if someone is truly having a hard time discerning, then he/she does not have a well-formed conscience, and that’s another problem altogether.

I personally believe that stealing a $3 item is just as bad as stealing a $1000 item. Killing a man that no one cares about is just as bad as killing a popular man. Stealing is stealing and murder is murder. Would you say that my conscience is not as well-formed? I know that you aren’t here to judge others, but I just want your honest opinion. If I were a family member of yours and you wanted to pray that I become a better person, would you pray that my conscience become more like those of some of the other posters here?

 

[thistle]

You are only obligated to confess and receive once a year, during Easter time. However, confession once a week should be our goal, and communion every day or at the very least on Sundays.

Actually you are obligated to receive once a year but you are only obligated to confess if you have any mortal sins to confess. You are not obligated to confess if you have not committed any mortal sins during the year.

 

[Anathama_Sit]

This is why I’m both happy and relieved to leave the job of judging others to God.

Greetings RosaryFan,

Well said. To the OP, I heartily concur with this response and would have responded the same had this response not been given.

God Bless.
Anathama Sit

 

[Anathama_Sit]

Many of the items you listed are venial. Stealing a $3 item wouldn’t be grave matter, for instance.

However, if you have a well-formed conscience, which everyone is supposed to have, you know when something is grave matter.

Now, if someone is truly having a hard time discerning, then he/she does not have a well-formed conscience, and that’s another problem altogether.

Greetings to the OP,

And if someone cannot discern whether their sins are mortal or not, they need to get a Confessor - a regular Confessor they can use for all their confessions and be honest and forthright with them. This is my counsel.

God Bless.
Anathama Sit

 

[Anathama_Sit]

I personally believe that stealing a $3 item is just as bad as stealing a $1000 item. Killing a man that no one cares about is just as bad as killing a popular man. Stealing is stealing and murder is murder. Would you say that my conscience is not as well-formed? I know that you aren’t here to judge others, but I just want your honest opinion. If I were a family member of yours and you wanted to pray that I become a better person, would you pray that my conscience become more like those of some of the other posters here?

Greetings Truthseekerjay,

No I would pray that your conscience would be formed as God would want it to be formed.

There are Mortal and Venial sins. This is Church Teachings. Either you believe it or you do not.

I noticed your religious status, and I realize that you keep bringing up things of this nature. All sin is bad, but there are sins that are worse than others. And there are circumstances which increase the gravity of a sin. You have to factor all of this in, and that is best left up to the Confessor and to God.

For example, if I just told you that I hated you, that would be bad and would be a sin against charity. However if I murdered you out of my hate by a malicious design to end your life, then this ups the gravity several notches [many in fact.]

God Bless.
Anathama Sit

 

[po18guy]

Driving 70 mph in the desert still threatens one’s own safety. And can anyone say, without a doubt, that stealing $1000 from Bill Gates is a venial sin? I believe that people sin all the time and if they honestly don’t think so, then they might be being prideful (the sin that got Satan kicked out of heaven). Anyway, I don’t know if anyone can truly tell if a sin is venial or mortal. I would think that the Catholic Church would want to play it safe and not have it’s members receive communion in an unworthy fashion by emphasizing in mass or religious education the consequences of receiving communion with a mortal sin on one’s conscience. If it doesn’t do so, then I feel that it could potentially be enabling people to continue “eating and drinking damnation unto themselves.” People should definitely take responsibility for their own actions, but since the Catholic Church sees itself as the authority, then I would think that it has a responsibility to its members especially on matters that could lead them to eternal punishment in hell. It seems like there are many people here who already go to confession regularly, but we all know of many people that don’t including family members and friends. I know that we are not here to judge others, but out of love, wouldn’t you and the Catholic Church want to play it safe and encourage people to go to confession more often?

All of this the church already does. If you are not Catholic or Orthodox, you have no such Sacrament available to you. No way of knowing if a sin is mortal, venial, or if it is even a sin at all. What if someone who does not have the Sacrament confesses directly to God, but God does not forgive that sin? Without confession and absolution, you do not know - cannot know if your sin is actually forgiven. I would also worry about all of those Christians, who make no distinction at all between sins - yet the bible does.

 

[MissRose73]

Priests and Bishops should put more emphasis on frequent reception of both Communion & Confession even though the precept is minimum once a year during the Easter season for Communion.

I do admit that I only went to confession twice a year for a long time. But I have gone more this year, not necessarily that I have been a really bad person but more to confess smaller sins before they become bigger ones & it helps unburden my soul.

Confession times are often short in supply, and sometimes done in some parishes once or twice a month. It would be nice to have confession offered during the week (perhaps during day and/or evening) without appointment perhaps in a few parishes in a diocese which would be helpful for people who cannot go on Saturday mornings due to work and/or family obligations. I’ve been to places to confess where there no more than 10 to 12 penitents (a parish that offers weekly confession), and another parish where about 50 people came (a parish that offers 2 times a month).

Communal services for Penance are okay but not all have included the opportunity for individual confession & absolution which are very essential. I make sure I can go to the ones that give the chance for the individual confession & absolution.

Yes, Daily Communion would be ideal but not all can go to Daily Mass either. Its great to receive as part of your Sunday obligation. I do try to go to Daily Mass a few times a month even if they do not last as long as a typical Sunday Mass as my schedule permits.

 

[RosaryFan]

Driving 70 mph in the desert still threatens one’s own safety. And can anyone say, without a doubt, that stealing $1000 from Bill Gates is a venial sin? I believe that people sin all the time and if they honestly don’t think so, then they might be being prideful (the sin that got Satan kicked out of heaven). Anyway, I don’t know if anyone can truly tell if a sin is venial or mortal. I would think that the Catholic Church would want to play it safe and not have it’s members receive communion in an unworthy fashion by emphasizing in mass or religious education the consequences of receiving communion with a mortal sin on one’s conscience. If it doesn’t do so, then I feel that it could potentially be enabling people to continue “eating and drinking damnation unto themselves.” People should definitely take responsibility for their own actions, but since the Catholic Church sees itself as the authority, then I would think that it has a responsibility to its members especially on matters that could lead them to eternal punishment in hell. It seems like there are many people here who already go to confession regularly, but we all know of many people that don’t including family members and friends. I know that we are not here to judge others, but out of love, wouldn’t you and the Catholic Church want to play it safe and encourage people to go to confession more often?

For a sin to be mortal, three conditions must be met:

1. It must be grave matter (i.e. serious matter)
2. You must have knowledge of the gravity of the sin
3. You must do it willingly

If these three conditions are met, then sins of grave matter (such as abortion, masturbation, murder, illegal drug use, viewing pornography), are mortal, which means they BREAK our relationship with God.

When one has a well-formed conscience, like one is supposed to have and should have, then they KNOW when they’ve committed a mortal sin.

nit-picking about whether driving 70mph in the dessert is a mortal sin or not is a little ridiculous. First of all, who could venture a guess as to what a person is thinking when they’re driving 70mph in the dessert? To say that you know whether or not those 3 conditions were met is ludicrous. Please stop using that as an example. There are a hundred reasons why someone would drive 70mph in the dessert. If it’s to plow down a group of boyscouts, then it’s grave matter. If it’s to get a person to the hospital who has just been bitten by a rattlesnake, then it’s not.

Lastly, the only ones who can possibly know if those 3 conditions are met are God and the person committing the act. And, yes, the person committing the act has full knowledge - that’s what makes it sinful. To insinuate that we’re all so stupid as to not realize we’re sinning is as ludicrous as the example of driving 70mph in the dessert.

 

[truthseekerjay]

To insinuate that we’re all so stupid as to not realize we’re sinning is as ludicrous as the example of driving 70mph in the dessert.

I’m not saying that you can’t tell when you’re sinning. I’m saying that you can’t tell how God views the seriousness of your sin. I listed a couple of actions that I thought were serious sins including downloading songs from the internet without paying. I think it was you that said that this would probably be venial sin, however, I think this is a mortal sin. Would God think that you were right or that I was right? At this point, know one can really say for sure. So to play it safe, I would think that people would act more conservatively and consider all their sins mortal.

 

[jmcrae]

I’m not saying that you can’t tell when you’re sinning. I’m saying that you can’t tell how God views the seriousness of your sin. I listed a couple of actions that I thought were serious sins including downloading songs from the internet without paying. I think it was you that said that this would probably be venial sin, however, I think this is a mortal sin.

Put it this way - if you think it’s a mortal sin, and you go ahead and do it anyway, you will be judged more harshly by God than someone who doesn’t realize there’s anything wrong with it.

Would God think that you were right or that I was right? At this point, know one can really say for sure. So to play it safe, I would think that people would act more conservatively and consider all their sins mortal.

We should certainly never deliberately set out to commit sin - not even venial sins - and if we catch ourselves in sin, we need to discern whether we need to go to Confession as soon as possible, before the next time we go to Mass, or if we can wait for the weekend.

 

[ATeutonicKnight]

-The five precepts only require Catholics to go to confession at least once a year.
-I learned in CCD that one can’t receive communion if they haven’t confessed their mortal sins.
-I was told that if one received communion without confessing their mortal sins, that they would be in danger of severe punishment.
-In another thread, I think there was a conclusion that only God truly knows if an individual has committed a mortal sin or a venial sin.

Does the Catholic Church expect individuals to only receive communion once a year? I would think that if they wanted Catholics to receive communion weekly that they would recommend going to confession weekly as well. Since one can’t tell which sins committed during the week are mortal and which are venial, couldn’t someone receiving communion without going to confession be endangering themselves of severe punishment? Is there something that I’m missing or misunderstanding?

I think you’ve misunderstood. We can still be conscious of them. For instance, if I went to a porn site and masturbated, that would be two Mortal Sins, and I would be conscious of the fact that I committed them. If I then received the Eucharist in this state, that would be sacrilege, and sacrilege is the worst sin you can commit. However, if you commit a Mortal Sin and then forget about it, you’re forgiven and you are allowed to receive the Eucharist, the same way that if you go to confession and immediately after you’re done you remember a Mortal sin you’re forgiven. But you’re only forgiven if you truly forgot about it. Trying to forget about it is a sin. There’s no problem with saying, “It would be really convenient if I forgot about this…”, but if you really tried to forget about it, that is most likely a Mortal Sin in and of itself.

It is good to go to confession as much as possible. Saint Padre Pio said weekly confession and examination of conscious is one of the five steps to holiness, so I try to go every week. However, it is only necessary to go when you have Mortal sins. If not, you simply go because you want to be completely clean of all of the sins you can remember. Every time you receive the Eucharist in a state of grace, it removes all of your venial sins, but it is still good to confess your venial sins, as you then get graces to defeat them.

Every time you receive communion, your place in Heaven is raised forever, your time in purgatory is shortened, you get an untold amount of graces to combat sin, all of your venial sins are forgiven, and, most importantly, it is literally the only way to physically receive Jesus on this earth. Why wouldn’t you want to go every week? If you’re in Mortal sin, don’t go just because it’s so great, because as stated earlier, it is sacrilege to do so. If you find yourself in Mortal sin when it is time to receive the Eucharist, simply think about how your Mortal sin affected your relationship with God so much that he deems you unworthy to receive him. Hate the sins you have committed, and think of the great sacrifice you must now do because of them. This will help you to gain perfection contrition, combat the sins in the future, and it will also help you appreciate the sacraments and the Church even more.

 

[truthseekerjay]

I noticed your religious status, and I realize that you keep bringing up things of this nature. All sin is bad, but there are sins that are worse than others. And there are circumstances which increase the gravity of a sin. You have to factor all of this in, and that is best left up to the Confessor and to God.

I actually posted this on another thread, but this might show you where I’m coming from.

I identify myself as Christian with mainline Protestant beliefs and I feel that ALL sin breaks our relationship with God. With my limited human knowledge, I usually think of sins as more severe if they have more severe visible consequences. So from past experience with visible consequences, I would say that stealing a $1000 item is PROBABLY worse than stealing a $3 item. However, with this line of thinking, a thief may steal a $3 item not knowing that it had sentimental value for the victim. We may have seen the results of our sins in the past, but we can’t be completely sure of the true effects of our sin. For all we know, pride could be worse in God’s eyes than murder (wasn’t pride the sin that got Satan kicked out of heaven?).

Back then, I used to think that it was not that bad to listen to gossip or to steal a $3 item, but it was only after I accepted Christ, that I started to see that these “minor” sins might actually have more serious consequences that I can’t see or understand with my human knowledge. To be completely honest and just so that everyone knows that I’m not trying to be judgmental, I still often fail with regards to these “minor” sins and choose to focus more on my sins that have visible consequences, like fixing my relationship with my family members and friends. However, I don’t expect God to be lenient with me for these “minor” sins and I TRY to be ready to receive whatever consequences they bring. I’m not perfect and I do have to pick my battles, but as I grow in Christ, I would hope that fixing these “minor” sins becomes more of a priority. Aren’t we supposed to be undergoing a process of purification all the time? To me, it seems like distinguishing between mortal and venial sins doesn’t give many people an incentive to fix the sins they perceive as venial, but this is just my opinion.

 

[Anathama_Sit]

I actually posted this on another thread, but this might show you where I’m coming from.

I identify myself as Christian with mainline Protestant beliefs and I feel that ALL sin breaks our relationship with God. With my limited human knowledge, I usually think of sins as more severe if they have more severe visible consequences. So from past experience with visible consequences, I would say that stealing a $1000 item is PROBABLY worse than stealing a $3 item. However, with this line of thinking, a thief may steal a $3 item not knowing that it had sentimental value for the victim. We may have seen the results of our sins in the past, but we can’t be completely sure of the true effects of our sin. For all we know, pride could be worse in God’s eyes than murder (wasn’t pride the sin that got Satan kicked out of heaven?).

Back then, I used to think that it was not that bad to listen to gossip or to steal a $3 item, but it was only after I accepted Christ, that I started to see that these “minor” sins might actually have more serious consequences that I can’t see or understand with my human knowledge. To be completely honest and just so that everyone knows that I’m not trying to be judgmental, I still often fail with regards to these “minor” sins and choose to focus more on my sins that have visible consequences, like fixing my relationship with my family members and friends. However, I don’t expect God to be lenient with me for these “minor” sins and I TRY to be ready to receive whatever consequences they bring. I’m not perfect and I do have to pick my battles, but as I grow in Christ, I would hope that fixing these “minor” sins becomes more of a priority. Aren’t we supposed to be undergoing a process of purification all the time? To me, it seems like distinguishing between mortal and venial sins doesn’t give many people an incentive to fix the sins they perceive as venial, but this is just my opinion.

Greetings Truthseekerjay,

I now see where you are coming from. Do not be surprised at the Catholic answers that you are getting in response to your questions.

Pride is actually the root of all sins, so it is on up there. But again, these things are best left to God to decide.

In your belief system, sin is a sin is a sin. All sin is bad. We Catholics believe that too as well, but however we distinguish between venial and mortal sins. If you are truly interested in what the Catholic Church has to say on venial and mortal sins look to the Catechism of the Catholic Church.

God Bless.
Anathama Sit

 

[Linda_Marie]

Here is an Examination of Conscience guide to help prepare for Confession. This one is based on the 10 Commandments.

The bible tells us that some sins are mortal, ie they result in the loss of eternal life, while others do not.

1 John 5:16

Douay-Rheims 1899 American Edition (DRA)

16He that knoweth his brother to sin a sin which is not to death, let him ask, and life shall be given to him, who sinneth not to death. There is a sin unto death: for that I say not that any man ask.

The Church guides us in discerning which of our sins results in a complete break in our relationship with God.

We should always try not to sin, even venial sins. Making a habit of venial sins, thinking that they don’t matter, is a bad habit to get into.

All sins matter. They all interfere with our relationship with God, but not all of them result in the loss of eternal life.

 

[Vico]

-The five precepts only require Catholics to go to confession at least once a year.
-I learned in CCD that one can’t receive communion if they haven’t confessed their mortal sins.
-I was told that if one received communion without confessing their mortal sins, that they would be in danger of severe punishment.
-In another thread, I think there was a conclusion that only God truly knows if an individual has committed a mortal sin or a venial sin.

Does the Catholic Church expect individuals to only receive communion once a year? I would think that if they wanted Catholics to receive communion weekly that they would recommend going to confession weekly as well. Since one can’t tell which sins committed during the week are mortal and which are venial, couldn’t someone receiving communion without going to confession be endangering themselves of severe punishment? Is there something that I’m missing or misunderstanding?

The answers are in the Catechism.
1389 The Church obliges the faithful to take part in the Divine Liturgy on Sundays and feast days and, prepared by the sacrament of Reconciliation, to receive the Eucharist at least once a year, if possible during the Easter season.224 But the Church strongly encourages the faithful to receive the holy Eucharist on Sundays and feast days, or more often still, even daily.

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: …
Also reflect that the norms for indulgences grant a plenary each time one receives the Holy Eucharist, when fulfilling the other conditions, with confession within about 20 days before or after. So one could receive 40 days of indulgences with daily Communion, utilizing one sacramental confession.