How Often

[CuriousMike]

While I’m not really sure would really justify saying that one is abusing the Sacrament of Reconciliation, I do know that one can commit sin (say a mortal sin) and presume they can go to confession and be absolved. That would be the sin of presumption.

On that note, in times where I have gone longer between confessions due to in-availability of a Priest (used to live in a remote area with Mass typically 2-3 weeks apart), it has been very easy to fall into the trap of thinking, “…well, I already have to go, so might as well not worry about sin.”

I can’t tell you how often to visit Confession. In my own, limited experience in these nearly (by days) two years as a practicing Catholic, more than weekly, whilst offering forgiveness of sins, has not helped me be truly repentant and set my heart towards avoiding sin, and the near occasions thereof.
However, leaving it too long has allowed bad habits to quickly flourish!

The best advice I can give you is to find a confessor (or spiritual director), and ask them. They can help develop practices and routines appropriate to you and your struggles.

 

[pianistclare]

The original poster’s parish priest is better positioned to offer meaningful guidance, because of knowing her, than anonymous people commenting about the sacramental practices of a similarly anonymous person in unknown conditions.

THIS^^^

 

[Neofight]

Why would you go if you didn’t have to? That’s abusing the sacrament.

Please rethink your reply…this is dreadful theology.

Peace and all good!

 

[robertmidwest]

Please rethink your reply…this is dreadful theology.

Peace and all good!

I did and posted about it. Maybe you didn’t see it so I will post again with some additional notes.

Yes I understand what you mean. That is factually correct, but please look again at the posters comments.

He admits to being scrupulous and then proceeds to state he goes to confession when he doesn’t need to go. That sounds like abuse rather than spiritual growth.

I go maybe once a week on average, sometimes a bit more often. Part of that has to do with the fact that I fall into mortal sin and part has to do with the fact that I’m a little scrupulous. But also, I think it’s a good help in rooting out one’s vices, and so I would go weekly even if I didn’t have to.

Yes… everything being a normal situation someone who is not guilty of a mortal sin CAN go to confession. And it may be healthy for a normal person. But when someone admits they are scrupulous and then go on to say in the next sentence that they go even when they don’t need too (by their own admission) that indicates abuse.

I stand by my statement.

 

[Don_Ruggero]

I did and posted about it. Maybe you didn’t see it so I will post again with some additional notes.

Yes… everything being a normal situation someone who is not guilty of a mortal sin CAN go to confession. And it may be healthy for a normal person. But when someone admits they are scrupulous and then go on to say in the next sentence that they go even when they don’t need too (by their own admission) that indicates abuse.

I stand by my statement.

In principle, you are correct.

One who actually suffers from scrupulosity needs to be guided by a confessor in the use of the sacrament. Left to their own devices, and depending upon the severity of the condition, the result can be harmful to them and a travesty to the sacrament.

That said, I have no idea what the poster means when they speak of being “a little scrupulous.” Such a statement has no significance to me as a confessor. One can have a sensitive conscience without being afflicted with scrupulosity.

That is why, as a priest, I won’t even attempt to address this issue remotely. There are too many factors that a skilled and experienced confessor must weigh and assess.

 

[Exsultet]

But when someone admits they are scrupulous and then go on to say in the next sentence that they go even when they don’t need too (by their own admission) that indicates abuse.

I meant that I would weekly go to Confession even if I didn’t fall into mortal sin and even if I didn’t have slight scrupulosity/a sensitive conscience, because my understanding is that Confession is a wonderful Sacrament that greatly aids a person in growing spiritually and rooting out their sins, defects, imperfections, and faults.

But I have no idea why attempting to discern abuse of Confession on my part is any of your business in the slightest. You have no idea who I am, and I would thank you to leave such judgments to my Confessor.

 

[Exsultet]

That said, I have no idea what the poster means when they speak of being “a little scrupulous.” Such a statement has no significance to me as a confessor. One can have a sensitive conscience without being afflicted with scrupulosity. .

I was posting in the wee hours of the morning in the midst of some depression, and yes, I probably didn’t write as clearly as I ought to have. Not that we’re writing theological dissertations here, of course.

It would be more fair to say that I have a sensitive conscience.

 

[Exsultet]

He admits to being scrupulous and then proceeds to state he goes to confession when he doesn’t need to go.

My scrupulosity is not serious enough to warrant what you may understand as the common solution to scrupulous consciences: only going to Confession when one is absolutely positive that one has committed a mortal sin.

How I know that or why I know that is not a matter of debate between you and me.

 

[robertmidwest]

But I have no idea why attempting to discern abuse of Confession on my part is any of your business in the slightest.

Because you were giving someone else advice about how often they should go to confession.

 

[Exsultet]

Because you were giving someone else advice about how often they should go to confession.

Robert, excuse me, but this is at least the third time in this thread that you’ve misrepresented what I wrote or read into my comments things that just aren’t there.

I did not give anyone advice.

If you re-read the OP up to the question mark, and then read my response, you’ll notice I was simply communicating my own practice.

What’s your problem?

 

[OraLabora]

“As often as necessary”. Any more information than that is between my confessor and I.

I too think this question is best asked of one’s pastor.

 

[pianistclare]

Ay yay yay.
This is precisely why an internet forum is not the place to ask.
Too many unknowns, too many assumptions, to many things not exactly stated very clearly, too many opinions when the only one that matters is the your confessor holds.

Good luck!

 

[Exsultet]

This is precisely why an internet forum is not the place to ask.

If anything went south in this thread, it was the fact that my comments were foolishly taken as a thinly-veiled lecture to the OP that he ought to go to Confession more often.

Almost all that you described was the result of one poster.

Someone acting daffy and taking comments way out of their context is evidence of nothing other than poor reading skills, and has nothing at all to do with whether or not this thread is appropriate for the internet.

 

[Reuben_J]

If anything went south in this thread, it was the fact that my comments were foolishly taken as a thinly-veiled lecture to the OP that he ought to go to Confession more often.

Almost all that you described was the result of one poster.

Someone acting daffy and taking comments way out of their context is evidence of nothing other than poor reading skills, and has nothing at all to do with whether or not this thread is appropriate for the internet.

Hi. You were sharing your own experience and the reason why you did what you did.

There are some of us Catholics, not all though, who would love nothing more than to find a fault and then starting beating on it, sometimes oblivious to the context it was said.

Don’t feel too bad. I think it is good that you went for regular Confession. When we were kids, we went for Confession every week on Saturday. We would confessed all sins those days because that was what our Catechism teacher taught us. And then on Sunday we received Holy Communion.

It was an intense Sacramental life but if not for that, I would not be what I am today. One time I was far away from the Church and God, but because of my religious childhood experience and when I encountered God again, it was natural for me to wanting experience the Church’s life.

God bless.

 

[pianistclare]

If anything went south in this thread, it was the fact that my comments were foolishly taken as a thinly-veiled lecture to the OP that he ought to go to Confession more often.

Almost all that you described was the result of one poster.

Someone acting daffy and taking comments way out of their context is evidence of nothing other than poor reading skills, and has nothing at all to do with whether or not this thread is appropriate for the internet.

I think you should read Father Ruggero’s posts again.
In the meantime, I’m out.

 

[ccmcmg]

I go once or twice a month; sometimes more frequently if necessary for strength or due to weakness.

Our priest just advocated last Sunday that we all go at least once a month. Most priests I have heard speaking of confession agree.

 

[punisherthunder]

Last year I was starting to go weekly to overcome things, so that I could merit receiving grace and the Eucharist so that I could be granted even more grace to overcome things. However the priest must have recognized my voice and got tired of my weekly confession because once I started speaking he just blurted out “Stop it already!”. It did more harm than good and I didn’t go back for eight months.

 

[CRATUS]

Amen to this wisdom… and with the vast variety of characters, locations, cultures here, Each to his to her ways and wisdom,within the teachings and provision of Holy Mother Church with her wide and compassionate embrace of all her children.

It makes me uncomfortable. It makes people competitive with holiness.

 

[Hoosier_Daddy]

Once a month. I would and used to go weekly. I would take my kids every week. But where we live now it is not offered very often. Recently I have found that the priest at the local university has been offering it often. We have a realative lay new Bishop who implemented mandatory ( for priests to be available) confessions every Wednesday from 6-9 pm. In every parish in the whole diocese. It was so awesome. It also was not popular with the priests.

 

[brad90956]

I go to confession about once a month. If I commit a mortal sin, I go as soon as I can.

Most times I go to confession, it is for venial sins that I am trying to overcome.

I am currently going through the 33 day Consecration to Jesus through Mary so I will go again the week before my Consecration.