Is every Catholic obligated to confess once a year even if they donot have Mortal sin

[mullenpm]

Leonius,

Please do not get upset at the posters on this thread who seem to be telling all of us long-time Catholics what the rule is NOW.

WE ARE NOT WRONG TO BELIEVE AS WE HAVE BEEN TAUGHT.

The good holy nuns taught me as a child to go to frequent confession so as to learn to live a good and spiritual life and to grow in grace and love of God.

I don’t care what the new agers say. That is what I still believe to be true and what I abide by.

How can one make the First Friday devotion or the Frist Saturday devotion without going to Confession monthly? Can’t be done.

How can one go to daily Mass and receive the Blessed Sacrament without confession. Can’t be done, unless, of course, you are a Saint, as I am beginning to believe some of the posters are.

The CCC (#290) says that the Church recommends … receive Holy Communion whenever they participate at Holy Mass. However, the Church OBLIGES them to receive Holy Communion at least once a year during the Easter season.

I was told by a poster that I was taught wrongly when I said I was taught as a child that we absolutely had to go to Confession as our “Easter Duty”. I was not wrong, the poster was.

So, Leonius, I am with you, but don’t get angry. Then you would need to go to Confession.

 

[Leonius]

Thank you, especially for the reminder in the last sentence

 

[rinnie]

Mortal sin is an interesting Matter. I think it would be an interesting thread. Because IMO Mortal sin is just not the sin itself. It knowing you are offending God to start with. Do you know what I mean. And then going on and doing it anyway.

Like don’t you think what could be Mortal sin for one could possibly not be for another. Do you see what I mean?

 

[Leonius]

A friend of mine who is wiser than me is these matters has this to say:

"I understand deliberate venial sins are as bad/damning (etc.) as mortal sins. Remember, a mortal sin without deliberate consent wouldn’t be mortal, but would still be grave matter.

I truly hope I’m right in my interpretation, and that this canon means all grave matter, whether mortal or venial."

If he is right then this Canon does not remove the yearly obligation to make use of the Sacrament of Penance, and I would think if that obligation was removed someone would have told us, I mean its like removing the obligation to go to Mass on Sundays, its not something that would just be removed on the quiet without telling the laity is it?

 

[Indyann]

Right. And any approved Examen gives not only what we find in the Sermon on the Mount, but also, many other instances of grave matter, which, if done on purpose with full knowledge, also constitute mortal sin - such as giving money to any charity that supports abortion, birth control, euthanasia, or embryonic stem cell research (even if it has other laudable goals), or wasting your employer’s time, or failing to teach your children the precepts of the Catholic faith, failing to give your children the necessities of life, and so on.

Well, there are only 8 beatitudes, but 10 commandments and 6 precepts of the Church. So I think I will stick with a more detailed examination of conscience. One that breaks down each Commandmentand gives some specific examples of how one can sin in regard to each Commandment.
I am sure there are no contradictions to the Beatitudes, just more detail.

 

[Indyann]

Leonius,

Please do not get upset at the posters on this thread who seem to be telling all of us long-time Catholics what the rule is NOW.

WE ARE NOT WRONG TO BELIEVE AS WE HAVE BEEN TAUGHT.

The good holy nuns taught me as a child to go to frequent confession so as to learn to live a good and spiritual life and to grow in grace and love of God.

I don’t care what the new agers say. That is what I still believe to be true and what I abide by.

How can one make the First Friday devotion or the Frist Saturday devotion without going to Confession monthly? Can’t be done.

How can one go to daily Mass and receive the Blessed Sacrament without confession. Can’t be done, unless, of course, you are a Saint, as I am beginning to believe some of the posters are.

The CCC (#290) says that the Church recommends … receive Holy Communion whenever they participate at Holy Mass. However, the Church OBLIGES them to receive Holy Communion at least once a year during the Easter season.

I was told by a poster that I was taught wrongly when I said I was taught as a child that we absolutely had to go to Confession as our “Easter Duty”. I was not wrong, the poster was.

So, Leonius, I am with you, but don’t get angry. Then you would need to go to Confession.

Is this what this thread has degenerated to? insults and name-calling?

And no, I was not wrong. You do not have to go to confession as part of your Easter Duty.

And no, I am not a “new-ager”. I was raised pre-VII and was absent from the Church for several years. When I returned, I was determined to learn what the Church actually teaches. So, this “new-ager” will bow out of this thread, as it is becoming an occasion of sin for me.

 

[Verbum_Caro]

Regarding posts 145 and 146: Whatever the need or desire to restate (obvious, i.m.o.) teachings, it did not and does not require 10 pages. Jesus himself noted how basic and simple the notion of sin is. Those concerned with “right teaching” and technicalities wanted to go on and on. He wanted to cut to the chase, so to speak.

YES! I agree. I do dearly wish that this whole thread ended with my post #6.

I responded directly to the original poster’s question, showing that Fr. Trijilio was correct. I cut right to the chase, showing that, as Fr. Trijilio says in his book, the minimum is such and such.

I was very careful to emphasize that it was the **minimum **obligation.

The posters before me had given what seemed to be erroneous answer, namely that the law requires at minimum confession of all sins (that in itself is an impossible construction). I gave the actual Church law which is what the original post seemed to call into question.

I did not speculate on the original posters intentions, nor did I feel that he or others needed to hear from me the importance of frequent confession, nor did I elaborate on the loss of the sense of sin in our society, etc. I simply, clearly, directly pointed out what the correct law was. Since the previous posters mentioned that we should go beyond the minimum, but misstated the minimum, I clarified what the minimum actually was.

I sought out to answer the question that I perceived was being asked.

In your post #17 you brought up issues related to the spiritual life and what we should strive for. It seemed a bit different than the subject of the thread. But in Posts #60-68 I agreed with you about what we should strive for, and actually amplified your exhortation by pointing out that venial sin should be radically avoided.

VC

 

[jmcrae]

Well, there are only 8 beatitudes, but 10 commandments and 6 precepts of the Church. So I think I will stick with a more detailed examination of conscience. One that breaks down each Commandmentand gives some specific examples of how one can sin in regard to each Commandment.
I am sure there are no contradictions to the Beatitudes, just more detail.

The Sermon on the Mount is three chapters long - it consists of a great deal more than just the Beatitudes. Did you think I meant only the Beatitudes, when I mentioned the Sermon on the Mount?

 

[Verbum_Caro]

I would think if that obligation was removed someone would have told us

The Church has told us what the obligation is.

Form the Compendium of the Catechism of the Catholic Church:

304. Which sins must be confessed?

All grave sins not yet confessed, which a careful examination of conscience brings to mind, must be brought to the sacrament of Penance. The confession of serious sins is the only ordinary way to obtain forgiveness.

305. When is a person obliged to confess mortal sins?

Each of the faithful who has reached the age of discretion is bound to confess his or her mortal sins at least once a year and always before receiving Holy Communion.

Does that help at all Leonius?

You mentioned the “new agers”. Is there anyone who you would believe? Fr. Hardon? Are you familiar with him?

How about the Society of St. Pius X? Surely they aren’t known for liberal or modern attitudes, and yet I’ve seen instances where they too recognize that the obligation was, strictly speaking, for mortal sins, and that the current obligation makes that clear. (Although they lament the way it is worded).

VC

 

[rinnie]

A friend of mine who is wiser than me is these matters has this to say:

"I understand deliberate venial sins are as bad/damning (etc.) as mortal sins. Remember, a mortal sin without deliberate consent wouldn’t be mortal, but would still be grave matter.

I truly hope I’m right in my interpretation, and that this canon means all grave matter, whether mortal or venial."

If he is right then this Canon does not remove the yearly obligation to make use of the Sacrament of Penance, and I would think if that obligation was removed someone would have told us, I mean its like removing the obligation to go to Mass on Sundays, its not something that would just be removed on the quiet without telling the laity is it?

Mortal sin destroys charity in the heart of man by grave violation of Gods law. Venial sin allows charity to subsist even though it offends and wounds it.

That may be a little easier to understand, thats the CCC.

 

[rinnie]

Now I always thought you had to confess once a year. But according to the CCC

It says only serious sins once a year.

So I guess you really don’t have to but it is recommended.

 

[Verbum_Caro]

Now I always thought you had to confess once a year. But according to the CCC

It says only serious sins once a year.

So I guess you really don’t have to but it is recommended.

Rinnie,

I think that could be a bit better stated, if you’ll allow me.
You really, really must confess your mortal sins at the very least once per year.

You really really must confess your mortal sins (under normal circumstances)before communion but also confirmation, marriage, holy orders, and sometimes anointing of the sick.

You *really *really should not delay in confessing your mortal sins.

You are very much encouraged to confess your venial sins frequently.

You may licitly and profitably even confess past forgiven mortal sins.
I think that covers it. Have I missed anything?
VC

 

[rinnie]

Rinnie,

I think that could be a bit better stated, if you’ll allow me.
You really, really must confess your mortal sins at the very least once per year.

You really really must confess your mortal sins (under normal circumstances)before communion but also confirmation, marriage, holy orders, and sometimes anointing of the sick.

You *really *really should not delay in confessing your mortal sins.

You are very much encouraged to confess your venial sins frequently.

You may licitly and profitably even confess past forgiven mortal sins.
I think that covers it. Have I missed anything?
VC

You done hit the nail on the head. That is Catholic Teaching. But I won’t lie to you I swear I was told we must go to Confession at least once a year. But it could have been said should and not must and I took it as must. Personally I try to go more often. But I am shooting for my Must (to myself) now at least 4 times a year. I do Jan, April, July or Aug, and the for Christmas. BUt any in between is a bonus.

But yes that is the CCC. I was just to lazy to type it all out.

 

[Pug]

Mortal sin is an interesting Matter. I think it would be an interesting thread. Because IMO Mortal sin is just not the sin itself. It knowing you are offending God to start with. Do you know what I mean. And then going on and doing it anyway.

Like don’t you think what could be Mortal sin for one could possibly not be for another. Do you see what I mean?

May I make an additional comment, rinnie? People who don’t believe in God or think about him much can still do a mortal sin. So, it doesn’t have to be at the top of their minds that they are offending God for it to be a mortal sin. Christians know sin is an offense to God, but some people haven’t been educated to immediately know the textbook definition of sin. They can still sin mortally, though. They know enough. Just because they don’t consciously relate their actions to God doesn’t mean they are off the hook.

I do know what you mean, though, that two people could do the same sin, and it would be mortal for one and venial for the other, based on invincible ignorance or some other consideration.

 

[Elizabeth502]

How can one go to daily Mass and receive the Blessed Sacrament without confession. Can’t be done, unless, of course, you are a Saint, as I am beginning to believe some of the posters are.

ME, TOO!

An awful lot of dancing around levels of sin and “requirements” and rationalizations on this thread. Wow. No wonder priests get disgusted with half-hearted confessions & tepid examinations of conscience.

Real regret and penance is hard work. It results from gut-wrenching, difficult honesty.

 

[Verbum_Caro]

An awful lot of dancing around levels of sin and “requirements” and rationalizations on this thread. Wow. No wonder priests get disgusted with half-hearted confessions & tepid examinations of conscience.

Real regret and penance is hard work. It results from gut-wrenching, difficult honesty.

Elizabeth,

I’m not sure I follow exactly. You say a) there is a lot of dancing around and rationalizations. Can you show us where the rationalizations are on this thread? I mean, really. Not just what you think is going on, but really. No one I know of on this thread wants to get out of going to confession. Everyone that I’m aware of, seems to go to confession quite regularly.

And b)you seem to connect your statement above with “half-hearted confessions & tepid examinations of conscious”. Are you accusing anyone on this thread of that? I for one make gut-wrenching, soul searching confessions and take my examination of conscience very, very seriously – if you care to know.

Can you show us who on this thread you are talking about, or what on this thread you would link to half-hearted confessions?

I think earlier you mentioned you are basing you opinions on other threads and personal experience. Is that what you mean? If so I join in the lament that communion lines are too long and confessional lines too short.

But I don’t see any of us skipping the confessional line.

VC

 

[jmcrae]

But I don’t see any of us skipping the confessional line.

VC

Then why the concern over whether or not you “have to” go to Confession at least once a year, or not?

The question itself makes it sound like you think once a year is too frequent, and that you want to know if you can attend less often.

 

[Pug]

And no, I was not wrong. You do not have to go to confession as part of your Easter Duty.

I agree with you that Easter Duty refers to communion. And for clarity, since there is much confusion here, it is part of the duty if you have mortal sins. A person who has mortal sins and thus goes to confession on the Sunday before Ash Wednesday, stays in a state of grace during the interim, and then receives on the First Sunday of Lent has met their Easter Duty. They have received worthily during “Easter”. The confession did not have to be during the time between the first Sunday of Lent and Trinity Sunday (the info I am giving about the duration of “Easter” varies by country. I’m in the USA). The communion did. But there is wide variance in understanding of the term “Easter Duty”. Many people will say confession must be done during Easter and they will call it the Easter Duty.

The Church totally encourages the sacrament of penance during Lent. I think it is a great part of preparing for Easter. Please no one construe my remarks to mean otherwise. Also, if it further matters to anyone, the communion during Easter may be fulfilled at a different time for a “just” reason. See CIC 920.

 

[Pug]

it is part of the duty if you have mortal sins.

It is too late to edit my own post, and I just saw that in editing it originally, I cut out some words by mistake. I was trying to say that **confession **is part of the duty if you have mortal sins. I think this should clarify my missing words. Sorry!

 

[dans0622]

There are an awful lot of posts here in answer to a yes or no question.

This post is only for those who are interested in “technicalities” and “legalism” in coming to an answer to the original question. The 1917 Code of Canon law, which was brought up earlier, addressed this issue in c. 906 which said, as others have noted, everyone is bound to confess their sins at least once a year.

It is also important to point out c. 902 which said “Sins committed after baptism, whether mortal (sins) already remitted directly by the power of the keys or venial (sins), are sufficient material, but not necessary, of the sacrament of penance.” (my own translation. If someone wants the Latin text, I can produce it.)

The point is that the former Code here stated that venial sins and mortal sins already forgiven are “sufficient” for confession but they do not “necessarily” have to be confessed. This goes against the general precept of having to confess all sins at least once a year. In order to harmonize these canons, it seems we have to conclude that even the 1917 Code didn’t “oblige” us to confess, at least once a year, only venial sins. It seemed to intend that the obligation to confess at least once a year only meant to imply mortal sins.

So, the 1983 Code does not really break away from the former law when it qualifies the obligation to confession with the term “grave” sins.

That’s my way of seeing it, as well as at least one “real” canon lawyer I’ve read.

Dan