Is the Sacrament of Reconciliation only for when you are guilty of mortal sin?

[marylouise53]

I was raised to believe (and passed on to my children) that regular participation in the sacrament of reconciliation is like going to the doctor for a regular check up; it helps prevent moving in the wrong direction and falling into bigger and more dangerous problems. I may not be in the confessional for very many minutes but I leave feeling cleaned and, often, redirected. Now I am told that unless I have committed a mortal sin I should depend upon the mass to clean me of my venial sins. It just feels to me that there is something missing there for me. I know I am forgiven and I relish participation in the Body and Blood of Christ. I am always a little concerned that I may have minimized and rationalized my way out of some of my venial sins. How do I make the shift away from attending weekly reconciliation?

 

[drforjc]

Who is telling you this? Many saints, popes, and spiritual writers recommend frequent confession, even if one has only venial sins to confess. There is a grace attached to confession that helps one avoid sin in the future.

 

[SuscipeMeDomine]

Your understanding matches mine. The sacrament is required for the forgiveness of mortal sins. It is optional but laudable for the forgiveness of venial sins.

The Catechism says:

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:

You say, “Now I am told that unless I have committed a mortal sin I should depend upon the mass to clean me of my venial sins.” I think the question is who told you? And on what basis did the person tell you this?

The only thing I can think of as an exception is that if your confessor thinks you’re tending toward scrupulosity, he may be trying to help you avoid the problem. If that’s the case, you need to speak with him at more length to discuss the problem.

But if the advice came from a well-intentioned fellow Catholic who simply thinks you go to confession too often, it’s really none of his business.

 

[giuseppeTO]

There is a sacramental grace unique to the sacrament of Confession which aids us in avoiding future sin. Even if you have no grave sins to confess, it is beneficial to get the “inoculation”,so to speak, of sacramental grace which Confession offers. Every two weeks would be a good target.

 

[marylouise53]

‘Who told me this’ is a dear friend of mine who said she has seen it posted in the bulletin from the cathedral in St. Paul, MN. I plan to continue to my practice unless my confessor instructs me to do something else. It saddens me if people are inappropriately being discouraged from participating in this wonderful sacrament. Can anybody from the cathedral verify the truth of this understanding of the directive?

 

[SuscipeMeDomine]

I agree that following the advice of your confessor is the best approach.

 

[ajecphotos]

Confession is a wonderful sacrament. One that should be used as often as you feel the need to purify your soul for God.

 

[Joe_5859]

‘Who told me this’ is a dear friend of mine who said she has seen it posted in the bulletin from the cathedral in St. Paul, MN. I plan to continue to my practice unless my confessor instructs me to do something else. It saddens me if people are inappropriately being discouraged from participating in this wonderful sacrament. Can anybody from the cathedral verify the truth of this understanding of the directive?

Perhaps it is that they are simply emphasizing the great graces of the Mass rather than attempting to discourage people from going to Confession.

If you know what day your friend saw it in the bulletin, you could look at it online on their website to see the whole context. I would be surprised if discouraging people from going to Confession was the goal.

I think looking at it like a regular doctor’s check up is a great analogy. Sure, some people “get by” with only going when there is an urgent medical problem. But going in for regular checkups is beneficial for making sure things don’t get that bad to begin with.

 

[TimothyH]

From the Catechism…

1458 Without being strictly necessary, confession of everyday faults (venial sins) is nevertheless strongly recommended by the Church. 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:

-Tim-

 

[marylouise53]

Thank you for your responses. Of course, when you read the catechism it makes perfect sense. I will do some exploring though, to see if I can find the source my friend was referencing in context. That should be helpful to both of us. Thank you again!

 

[italreligious]

Hello, I have a couple of questions regarding confession…

1.) If you do not attend church but you pray everyday, is it ok to confess your sins to God, or do you have to see a priest?

2.) When you go to confession or you confess in your prayers, do you confess to the same sins or just new sin?

3.) What is venial sin and mortal sin?

 

[orpheus1]

Thank you for your responses. Of course, when you read the catechism it makes perfect sense. I will do some exploring though, to see if I can find the source my friend was referencing in context. That should be helpful to both of us. Thank you again!

This came up a few months ago in RCIA, I was a sponsor this year and also a member of the core team. One of the other sponsors said that the Church mandates confession once a year. This is not the case according to Karl Keating’s book “What Catholics Really Believe”. Keating is a trusted Catholic apologist, so I take his writings as correct regarding Catholic teaching. Basically, he states that the Catechism says the Church mandates the sacrament at least once a year ONLY if you are in mortal sin. However, he stresses that regular confession is strongly encouraged by the Church. Some people use this as an excuse not to go to confession at all, because “Hey, it’s not like I killed anybody”. But…I go once a month whether I “Need” it or not…cuz I always need it. The sacrament is an amazing vehicle for discernment and in my opinion, everyone should try to go somewhat regularly.

 

[Jerry-Jet]

Pope Pius X went to confession daily and he became a saint. I’m not saying everyone should do that but it does show that frequent confession definitely aided him on his path to sainthood and can also help others.

People should discuss this with their confessors. One must not sink into scrupulosity but if one doesn’t then frequent confession is a good thing.

 

[orpheus1]

Hello, I have a couple of questions regarding confession…

1.) If you do not attend church but you pray everyday, is it ok to confess your sins to God, or do you have to see a priest?

Only if you are NOT in mortal sin

2.) When you go to confession or you confess in your prayers, do you confess to the same sins or just new sin?

You confess the sins that are on your heart. But you receive absolution from a Priest, which you don’t get when confessing your sins on your own.

3.) What is venial sin and mortal sin?

Venial sin comes from the idea that when you cut yourself, the wound is not so deep as to cause a serious problem, but cut yourself enough and the problem becomes serious…potentially mortal. Venial sins are not as serious as mortal sins, and are forgiven at ever Mass. However, venial sins can cause us to become lazy…and can lead to more serious or even mortal sin. Hence the reason for regular confession. Sort of keeps you on track.

Mortal sin is just that…like a mortal wound for your soul. Mortal sin requires 3 things, Full Knowledge ( you KNOW the sin is mortal), Full Consent (You fully and completely participate)and Serious Matter(what you are doing is a seriously bad sin). You can google it to get a more full definition.

 

[TK421]

Discouragement of participating in Reconciliation is one of the byproducts of the much wider “me and God” mentality that is so lethal to public religious life.

Every sacrament is a public sacrament, which is to say, that it is not celebrated alone. When we sin, we do not sin only against God, but we sin against his Church, because through our deeds, we either strengthen or cause scandal to our brothers and sisters, and to those outside of Her fold who are further discouraged from entering. It has been since the beginning that Christ instituted his apostles to participate in administering forgiveness.

Weekly confession can be unhelpful or even harmful if it is done for reasons of scrupulosity, where the person interprets things that aren’t sinful at all to be sinful, or if they consider everyday faults to be mortal. If it is done for the purpose of restoration, refreshment, and continued direction, then weekly Confession cannot be anything other than good.

 

[porthos11]

It’s even permissible and good to go to Confession even if someone, by the grace of God, has no sin at all, even venial. One can confess previous sins already absolved and not since committed. This increases sanctifying grace and strengthens the penitent against further temptation to sin.

 

[orpheus1]

Hello, I have a couple of questions regarding confession…

1.) If you do not attend church but you pray everyday, is it ok to confess your sins to God, or do you have to see a priest?

And I can’t believe I let this part go. If you don’t attend Church and you are a Catholic, then you ARE in Mortal Sin. It’s not about putting money in the plate, or making God feel good that you are there…it is purposely separating yourself from God…which is a pretty bad sin. Unless you are sick or otherwise incapacitated, you need to get to Mass at least on Sunday.

 

[felsguy]

This came up a few months ago in RCIA, I was a sponsor this year and also a member of the core team. One of the other sponsors said that the Church mandates confession once a year. This is not the case according to Karl Keating’s book “What Catholics Really Believe”. Keating is a trusted Catholic apologist, so I take his writings as correct regarding Catholic teaching. Basically, he states that the Catechism says the Church mandates the sacrament at least once a year ONLY if you are in mortal sin. However, he stresses that regular confession is strongly encouraged by the Church. Some people use this as an excuse not to go to confession at all, because “Hey, it’s not like I killed anybody”. But…I go once a month whether I “Need” it or not…cuz I always need it. The sacrament is an amazing vehicle for discernment and in my opinion, everyone should try to go somewhat regularly.

Karl has it right (not a surprise). The other sponsor you quoted labors under a rather common misunderstanding.

 

[Sonny89]

I was raised to believe (and passed on to my children) that regular participation in the sacrament of reconciliation is like going to the doctor for a regular check up; it helps prevent moving in the wrong direction and falling into bigger and more dangerous problems. I may not be in the confessional for very many minutes but I leave feeling cleaned and, often, redirected. Now I am told that unless I have committed a mortal sin I should depend upon the mass to clean me of my venial sins. It just feels to me that there is something missing there for me. I know I am forgiven and I relish participation in the Body and Blood of Christ. I am always a little concerned that I may have minimized and rationalized my way out of some of my venial sins. How do I make the shift away from attending weekly reconciliation?

Peace and All Good to you!

Many of the Saints have taught that Confession should be at least monthly, as a minimum, for those who are serious about the spiritual life & growth in Virtue and Holiness. I have even read the the Great Padre Pio sometimes made his Confession daily (yes, daily) or weekly.

You are correct that Reception of the Eucharist does forgive venial sins but this shouldn’t discourage you from frequent Confession, it can bring wonderful Graces & can also provide accountability before God and your Confessor which can be very helpful.

If you do want to shift away from weekly Confession, I would suggest talking to your Confessor and arranging a schedule with him. By this I mean, discuss with him how often you think you should Confess but there is nothing wrong with weekly if you are happy with this and I would certainly keep it at least monthly, even for venial sins.

God Bless

 

[Sonny89]

It’s even permissible and good to go to Confession even if someone, by the grace of God, has no sin at all, even venial. One can confess previous sins already absolved and not since committed. This increases sanctifying grace and strengthens the penitent against further temptation to sin.

Peace and all Good to you!