How often should Catholics go to confession?

[johnnyjones]

How often should a Catholic person go to confession? Should it only be when one feels like they have done wrong, committing a venial sin or should it be quite a frequent thing?

Daily if possible. In my case that is how i feel.

 

[ByzCathCantor]

Holy Days of Obligation are an example of how Catholics aren’t as catholic (universal) as the name implies; Holy Days of Obligation are far fewer and further between in the US than in other countries, so to say No Catholic should ever say I don’t know might be painting Catholic’s with a broad brush.

Some holy days (Solemnities) are moved to Sunday in the Latin Church in the U.S. That does not mean there are fewer or different holy days, as such are universal to the Church, but can mean that there is a different mix of those holy days deemed holy days of obligation (other than those observed on Sunday) in different areas.

Practicing Catholics are afforded ample opportunity to understand how holy days are observed in their own dioceses / local Churches. The brush is indeed rather narrow if limited to practicing Catholics.

 

[Friar_David_O.Carm]

You don’t know any of the circumstances of how I found the faith.

No I don’t, just as you do not know them for me, but that does not change the facts that there are basics of the Faith that it is upon us to know.

Holy Days of obligation are one of those things.

 

[Elizium23]

Sins you aren’t aware of? No, if you are unaware an action is a sin, then you haven’t committed a sin.

Ignorance of the law is no excuse. If you are unaware that a sin is grave matter, then you can’t commit a mortal sin, it is a venial sin instead. If you are unaware that something is a venial sin, then it reduces the imputability of that offense, but it doesn’t remove the fact that it is still a sin. (Vincible ignorance)

 

[maryjk]

Ignorance of the law is no excuse. If you are unaware that a sin is grave matter, then you can’t commit a mortal sin, it is a venial sin instead. If you are unaware that something is a venial sin, then it reduces the imputability of that offense, but it doesn’t remove the fact that it is still a sin. (Vincible ignorance)

If you are unaware it is a sin, then it isn’t a mortal sin and therefore does not have to be confessed.

 

[ByzCathCantor]

If you are unaware it is a sin, then it isn’t a mortal sin and therefore does not have to be confessed.

A regular, thorough examination of conscience would certainly make a penitent aware of instances where they may have sinned, even unknowingly. There are many good aids for such available. Further, when one considers that which constitutes grave matter, its hard to imagine that a basically good and well intended practicing Catholic would not at least have some inner sense that some personal acts, beyond their specific knowledge, may have been sinful. When in doubt, one could always ask the Confessor - they surely won’t mind.

Is this not the idea behind the precept requiring annual confession? encouraging a regular examination of conscience?

 

[babochka]

And Confession isn’t a time for the priest to explain things to you. Confession is a time to confess your sins. If you need to have the priest explain things to you, you need to make an appointment with the priest at another time.

Why on earth not? Obviously, you need to be respectful of the time constraints of the priest and others who might be in line behind you, but I can’t see any reason not to bring certain questions, as they apply to your spiritual development, to the priest in Confession. Are you also of the opinion that a priest should not be giving spiritual advice and direction in Confession?

 

[Friar_David_O.Carm]

Why on earth not? Obviously, you need to be respectful of the time constraints of the priest and others who might be in line behind you, but I can’t see any reason not to bring certain questions, as they apply to your spiritual development, to the priest in Confession. Are you also of the opinion that a priest should not be giving spiritual advice and direction in Confession?

The Sacrament of Penance is not a time for counseling, spiritual direction, or learning the basics of the Faith.

Yes, some questions can be asked but this is not what the Sacrament is about.

 

[SeekNFind]

Since joining the church in April, I have gone 3 times. My target is to go once a month (and ASAP if, God forbid, I commit mortal sin).

 

[Angelsflight]

Your example here is different than maryjk is talking about.

One can not commit a sin unknowingly but if they should know it is a different thing.

Every Catholic should know all of the Holy Days of Obligation. No Catholic should ever say I didn’t know I should attend Mass on that Holy Day.

I am a Catholic revert. Just came back to the church after 32 years away. I do not know all the Holy Days of Obligation. My priest sometimes has to point them out to me.

Everyone’s level of knowledge regarding the church and its practices are different.

 

[Angelsflight]

I get lots of advice and spiritual counseling from my priest. I spend 20-30 minutes in confession every week. I make appointments for my confessions though, and I never go on the days where tons of people are waiting in line to confess.

Perhaps we should not assume that everyone goes on the scheduled hour of confession. Lots of people do make appointments if they know it will take longer than usual.

 

[babochka]

The Sacrament of Penance is not a time for counseling, spiritual direction, or learning the basics of the Faith.

Yes, some questions can be asked but this is not what the Sacrament is about.

I’ll have to let my Confessor know that the advice and direction he gives me regarding my sins is not really appropriate for the confessional.

 

[Friar_David_O.Carm]

I’ll have to let my Confessor know that the advice and direction he gives me regarding my sins is not really appropriate for the confessional.

That is not what I said.

Direction dealing directly with sins is appropriate. Learning the basics of the Faith or counseling is not.

 

[babochka]

That is not what I said.

Direction dealing directly with sins is appropriate. Learning the basics of the Faith or counseling is not.

Sorry, I misunderstood. My post did not mention counseling or teaching the basics of the faith.

 

[504Katrin]

That is not what I said.

Direction dealing directly with sins is appropriate. Learning the basics of the Faith or counseling is not.

Now tell me where this is differnt from what I said in the first place:

Sorry, I know that I’m not good with words. I mean that even though you’re not aware you’re doing something wrong - hence technically not committing a sin - you might still violate church rules without knowing it. For example, last year I went to confess that I was late for mass on Sunday, and then the Priest asked me “And how about Thursday, did you go to mass on Thursday?” I didn’t go indeed. Not even sure how he could have known this, my Confessor isn’t even our Parish Priest. I could have gone to any other church that Thursday in any other parish. Anyway, he asked and schooled me about it and so I got to know about it.

I’m not using confession to learn about the basics of faith!
Thankfully the Priest asked me about Thursday, otherwise I would not have know this. I would have learned it at a later time anyways, but I was thankful he pointed that out to me, and he did not judge me for my lack of knowledge as he knew that I was brand new to the faith. And as the good person that he is, he would not have judged me either had I been around in church for years.

 

[504Katrin]

And also, this was my first confession to him when I was five minutes late for mass, and it was the most embarrassing confession ever since. Last time I was so embarrassed must have been when I was a kid and did something wrong. I could have just mentioned my sin of being late and he could have given me absolution and that would have been it.
Thanks Godness it didn’t go this way! He asked me “Well, depends on why you were late…did you help an old Lady across the street or did you just waste time with other things?” Truth was I wasted time. And this confession changed my life. I had to reconsider my relationship towards God, consider the reasons as to how I found the faith, and how much it meant ot me. Being in time has always been an issue to me and I never thought I could ever make it in time for mass, but thanks to the Priest that changed. He so plucked my feathers that I left the confessional totally embarrassed and as a different person.
Today, I go half an hour to an hour early in order to have time to spend in front of the blessed sacrament, time to spend with the Lord.

 

[maryjk]

And also, this was my first confession to him when I was five minutes late for mass, and it was the most embarrassing confession ever since. Last time I was so embarrassed must have been when I was a kid and did something wrong. I could have just mentioned my sin of being late and he could have given me absolution and that would have been it.
Thanks Godness it didn’t go this way! He asked me “Well, depends on why you were late…did you help an old Lady across the street or did you just waste time with other things?” Truth was I wasted time. And this confession changed my life. I had to reconsider my relationship towards God, consider the reasons as to how I found the faith, and how much it meant ot me. Being in time has always been an issue to me and I never thought I could ever make it in time for mass, but thanks to the Priest that changed. He so plucked my feathers that I left the confessional totally embarrassed and as a different person.
Today, I go half an hour to an hour early in order to have time to spend in front of the blessed sacrament, time to spend with the Lord.

But none of this changes the fact that Confession is for Confession.

Of course that doesn’t mean that a priest can’t ask you any questions. Or that he won’t offer some advice.

It just means that you don’t go to Confession to have a Priest explain things to you.

 

[504Katrin]

But none of this changes the fact that Confession is for Confession.

Of course that doesn’t mean that a priest can’t ask you any questions. Or that he won’t offer some advice.
It just means that you don’t go to Confession to have a Priest explain things to you.

I agree. A Priest can ask you questions and give advice in regards to your sins.
And I don’t know either how comes that we’re discussing that you shouldn’t go to confession in order to have a Priest explain the faith to you as noone that posted in this thread said that they did that.

 

[SuscipeMeDomine]

I am a Catholic revert. Just came back to the church after 32 years away. I do not know all the Holy Days of Obligation. My priest sometimes has to point them out to me.

In addition to Sunday, the days to be observed as holy days of obligation in the Latin Rite dioceses of the United States of America, in conformity with canon 1246, are as follows:

January 1, the solemnity of Mary, Mother of God;
Thursday of the Sixth Week of Easter, the solemnity of the Ascension;
August 15, the solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary;
November 1, the solemnity of All Saints;
December 8, the solemnity of the Immaculate Conception;
December 25, the solemnity of the Nativity of Our Lord Jesus Christ.

Whenever January 1, the solemnity of Mary, Mother of God, or August 15, the solemnity of the Assumption, or November 1, the solemnity of All Saints, falls on a Saturday or on a Monday, the precept to attend Mass is abrogated. Source]

Since you’re in California, the celebration for the Ascension has been moved to Sunday so there is no obligation on Thursday.

Now you know.

 

[Angelsflight]

In addition to Sunday, the days to be observed as holy days of obligation in the Latin Rite dioceses of the United States of America, in conformity with canon 1246, are as follows:

January 1, the solemnity of Mary, Mother of God;
Thursday of the Sixth Week of Easter, the solemnity of the Ascension;
August 15, the solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary;
November 1, the solemnity of All Saints;
December 8, the solemnity of the Immaculate Conception;
December 25, the solemnity of the Nativity of Our Lord Jesus Christ.

Whenever January 1, the solemnity of Mary, Mother of God, or August 15, the solemnity of the Assumption, or November 1, the solemnity of All Saints, falls on a Saturday or on a Monday, the precept to attend Mass is abrogated. Source]
Since you’re in California, the celebration for the Ascension has been moved to Sunday so there is no obligation on Thursday.

Now you know.

Thank you! Very cool of you to post this for me. After having been away so long, I feel like I am starting all over again, since I dont remember much when I first joined the church at the age of 10.

My priest did tell me about the aug 15th one, so I did go to that. Good to know when the rest are coming up.

Thanks again!