Is Going to Confession during Advent necessary?

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carol_marie

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I see that my parish has added a slew of confession times and is encouraging everyone to take advantage of this. Our Priest spoke of the importance of confession and suggested that we all make it a priority this season.

Is it a requirement (or even strongly suggested) that we go during this time… even if it’s been only about a month since I went last. I don’t think I’ve commited any mortal sins since… but I’ll go again if I’m supposed to?

Thanks.
 
To the best of my knowledge there is no requirement for confession during Advent unless there is something new. The only requirement I am familiar with is for Lent if you have unresolved mortal sin.

Good to see you again Carol Marie. I was wondering how that pregnancy was going. I’m going to guess that your running regime has been pretty much curtailed at this point.

God bless and have a blessed Christmas. 🙂
 
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ncjohn:
To the best of my knowledge there is no requirement for confession during Advent unless there is something new. The only requirement I am familiar with is for Lent if you have unresolved mortal sin.

Good to see you again Carol Marie. I was wondering how that pregnancy was going. I’m going to guess that your running regime has been pretty much curtailed at this point.

God bless and have a blessed Christmas. 🙂
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Hey, thanks for the info! And yes… my running did come to a halt. Walking too. Did you see the movie March of the Penguins? I’ve got their waddle down pat. 😉

Merry Christmas to you!
CM
 
carol marie:
Hey, thanks for the info! And yes… my running did come to a halt. Walking too. Did you see the movie March of the Penguins? I’ve got their waddle down pat. 😉

Merry Christmas to you!
CM
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ROFL at that image.

Since my daughter had twins back in June, I remember that walk well. Even though they were 7 weeks early she’s very petite and certainly had the waddle down pat.

Peace,
 
I’m guessing some parishes do this (or an Advent “Penance Service”)

-for the convenience of people who are not regular mass goers so they can come on Christmas in a state of grace
-for any others who want to be sure to celebrate the birth of our Lord as worthily as possible --a clean soul being one element
 
No requirement.

However, it is fitting with the season of advent being one of anticipation and preparation. Remember it is preparation for the Second coming/last judgement as well as regular Christmas.
 
How about that lovely verse from the hymn, “On Jordan’s Bank:”

Then cleansed be every breast from sin
Make straight the way of God within
And let each heart prepare a home
Where such a mighty Guest may come!

It sums up for me why I would want to go to confession in Advent, even though it is not technically required.

Betsy
 
My parish is also offering a number of extra times for Confession this week. My pastor has really been preaching that anyone who needs to go SHOULD go so they can celebrate Christmas in a state of grace.

I took advantage of these extra times, and went for the first time in way too long tonight. It was a wonderful relief to confess, receive absolution, and make myself right with the Lord for Christmas.

Although not required during Advent, I highly recommend going during this season of penitence.

That verse from on Jordan’s Bank really hits home with me right now.

:amen:
 
If you don’t HAVE to, you don’t HAVE to go more than once a year to confess serious sin. But I don’t think it hurts to go on a regular basis, even just to confess venial sins (as long as the line isn’t TOO long… if you have something that can be resolved with a Perfect Act of Contrition and there are a million people there who need the Sacrament, then maybe wait till it quiets down.). Remember, Advent IS a penitential season. The East calls this Phillip’s Fast after St. Phillip the Apostle, where people fast and abstain like during Lent.
 
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BillyT92679:
If you don’t HAVE to, you don’t HAVE to go more than once a year to confess serious sin.
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You have to go at least once each year, during Lent, and ANY time one has incurred serious sin.

So once a year is acceptable, as long as you don’t commit any serious sin in the meantime. 😉
But I don’t think it hurts to go on a regular basis, even just to confess venial sins (as long as the line isn’t TOO long… .
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It’s actually very beneficial to go on a regular basis. Like any Sacrament, Reconcilliation confers Grace. It not only removes sin, it fortifies one to keep from sinning in the future.

Pope John Paul II went weekly.
 
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Brendan:
You have to go at least once each year, during Lent, and ANY time one has incurred serious sin.

So once a year is acceptable, as long as you don’t commit any serious sin in the meantime. 😉

It’s actually very beneficial to go on a regular basis. Like any Sacrament, Reconcilliation confers Grace. It not only removes sin, it fortifies one to keep from sinning in the future.

Pope John Paul II went weekly.
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So what would be a good goal? Say once a month? How often do most go. OK - rephrase… according to my Priest MOST don’t go at all… but of those who DO go on a regular basis… how often is that?
 
carol marie:
So what would be a good goal? Say once a month? How often do most go. OK - rephrase… according to my Priest MOST don’t go at all… but of those who DO go on a regular basis… how often is that?
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My priest told me that if someone is struggling with an habitual mortal sin, then weekly confession. If one is not struggling with a mortal sin, then every 2-3 weeks. Not going for more than a month robs you of graces that will help you avoid mortal sin. So monthly would be the absolute minimum. I personally shoot for every three weeks, but I have gone as long as five weeks.
 
The precept of the church reads “You shall confess your sins at least once a year.” CCC2042

There is no specification as to when. Generally people do it in the penitential seasons of Lent or Advent, but you can choose any time of the year.

If you have not gone this year, probably better in Advent than in the time between the 25th and 31st.
 
It’s not essential, but going to confession during Advent is a good thing. I went Sunday and feel much more prepared for Christmas than ever before, if that makes sense. As for how often, I’m on the every 6-8 week schedule right now. No particular reason, other than that’s how it’s been working out.
 
So it sounds like we all go every so often. I wonder who my Priest meant when he said “practically NO ONE goes to confession anymore.” He sounded quite sad about that.
 
carol marie:
So it sounds like we all go every so often. I wonder who my Priest meant when he said “practically NO ONE goes to confession anymore.” He sounded quite sad about that.
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I’m not a priest, so I’m only guessing, but he does talk one on one with lots of people. People getting their baby baptized, people getting married, families of the dying, etc. Who knows what info he gleans there? In your parish you may only meet the Catholics who are usually there. The priest may meet the Catholics who only show up those three times.
 
Our parish offers the “Penence Service” twice a year. Once during Lent and once just before Christmas. They bring in 5-6 more priests from the area and everyone gets a chance to go. It is great to enter the season with a clean soul.
 
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Brendan:
You have to go at least once each year, during Lent, and ANY time one has incurred serious sin.

So once a year is acceptable, as long as you don’t commit any serious sin in the meantime. 😉

It’s actually very beneficial to go on a regular basis. Like any Sacrament, Reconcilliation confers Grace. It not only removes sin, it fortifies one to keep from sinning in the future.

Pope John Paul II went weekly.
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The precept of the Church is attending once a year… not necessarily during the Lenten season. The only season where we are required under precept to do anything is receive the Holy Eucharist during Eastertime, and required not to do something is to solemnize marriage during the forbidden times, but even that is oftentimes dispense by the Bishop, and there are fewer forbidden times since we just have two days that would be the equivalent of Ember days (Ash Wednesday and Good Friday) now and really no more Rogation days.
 
wen tonite–had to drive a few towns over, but it was well worth it–was the first time i have been to confession in many years.
 
Hi Carol Marie,

I was on-line briefly yesterday and noticed you were around, but didn’t see what you had posted until I bumped into this thread just now. I hope all is well with you.

Personally, I try to go to confession monthly and I use the 1st Saturday as my preferred timing, in honor of Our Lady of Fatima and her request that we do so, along with receiving communion, praying the rosary and meditating on one of the mysteries of the rosary for 20 minutes on the first Saturday, devotions which are so easy to do and so fruitful as well.

I think the point has already been made, so forgive me if I’m restating it, but going to confession helps us to better conform our lives to Christ and the example he came to give us for how to live according to the Will of God. First, we consider what we have done that is not according to God’s plan. We don’t have to only state grave (mortal) sins, but also venial sins, which can lead us away from God in small ways, weakening our attachment to Christ. We all have the opportunity to grow in Christ, and the sacraments are an excellent means of attaining the necessary grace for doing this.

I think that if you begin to make frequent confession a regular part of your life, you will begin to see the fruits in your life.

God Bless and Merry Christmas

CARose
 
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