Is Weekly Confession "Too" Much?

  • Thread starter Thread starter dailey
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
D

dailey

Guest
I usually like to go to confession a couple times a month (at least). Some times I will even go once a week. The last time I went though, the priest said he didn’t think I had a good idea of what sin was, lol! :o 🤷

I admit, the sins I confess are not mortal ones, however, I enjoy going to confession…even though I usually end up confessing things like fighting with my husband, envy, etc. I was chatting with my dad and mentioned this…and he said he thought it might be a sin to go too often since I am wasting the priest time.:rolleyes:

Any thoughts? As far as I know, there are no “rules” in the church that state we cannot go weekly??
 
dailey said:
I usually like to go to confession a couple times a month (at least). Some times I will even go once a week. The last time I went though, the priest said he didn’t think I had a good idea of what sin was, lol! :o 🤷

I admit, the sins I confess are not mortal ones, however, I enjoy going to confession…even though I usually end up confessing things like fighting with my husband, envy, etc. I was chatting with my dad and mentioned this…and he said he thought it might be a sin to go too often since I am wasting the priest time.:rolleyes:

Any thoughts? As far as I know, there are no “rules” in the church that state we cannot go weekly??
Click to expand...
You should count it as a blessing. And no, you are not wasting the priest’s time, but instead, you are keeping your soul sanctified, which can only be commended!

You might want to check out Fr. Benedict Bauer’s Frequent Confession.
 
dailey said:
I usually like to go to confession a couple times a month (at least). Some times I will even go once a week. The last time I went though, the priest said he didn’t think I had a good idea of what sin was, lol! :o 🤷

I admit, the sins I confess are not mortal ones, however, I enjoy going to confession…even though I usually end up confessing things like fighting with my husband, envy, etc. I was chatting with my dad and mentioned this…and he said he thought it might be a sin to go too often since I am wasting the priest time.:rolleyes:

Any thoughts? As far as I know, there are no “rules” in the church that state we cannot go weekly??
Click to expand...
A lot of people go weekly! They say its very good for you to receive the sacrament of penance often.

Maybe you should read a book to help you identify sins… although the things you list sound like good topics for confession to me (fighting with your husband, envy). A book I liked was “The Faith Explained” by Fr. Trese, it goes over all the sins and what is a sin and what isn’t.
 
dailey said:
I usually like to go to confession a couple times a month (at least). Some times I will even go once a week. The last time I went though, the priest said he didn’t think I had a good idea of what sin was, lol! :o 🤷

I admit, the sins I confess are not mortal ones, however, I enjoy going to confession…even though I usually end up confessing things like fighting with my husband, envy, etc. I was chatting with my dad and mentioned this…and he said he thought it might be a sin to go too often since I am wasting the priest time.:rolleyes:

Any thoughts? As far as I know, there are no “rules” in the church that state we cannot go weekly??
Click to expand...
The Pope goes weekly to confession.
Offer confession as a reperation to God for those that do not confess!
 
It is fine unless you are struggling with scrupulosity problems.
 
I would think that would be wonderful that you did go weekly. My husband one day overhearing our priest talk to someone said " Its okay if I make it to the church late… no one shows up for confession." Very sad to hear. I am still in RCIA at the moment so I don’t go yet. But I sure think if its something that God wants us to do to draw ourselves closer to Him then its a good thing:)
 
LLMom said:
It is fine unless you are struggling with scrupulosity problems.
Click to expand...
There are more dangers that I can see, and please note, I am only talking generally, I am not saying any of these apply to the OP.
  1. It’s very easy to get attached to the ‘clean’ feeling, and to forget that venial sins are forgiven in other ways as well, which don’t necessarily give that ‘high’.
  2. It can become a case of ‘the singer not the song’ - that is, enjoying the personal attention of the priest, even if anonymous.
  3. Most importantly, it can give value to that old accusation that used to be flung at Catholics - ‘they go to confession and then start to do it all again on Monday because they know they can go to confession again on the Saturday’. in other words, the reverse of the problem of scrupulosity - taking sin too lightly.
 
No, there’s nothing wrong with going often and confessing just venial sins! Monks and nuns do it.

It not only forgives sin, but it also strengthens the soul against future sin. It also means that you can receive indulgences more frequently.

Also, it is an expression of love and contrition towards God. I sometimes think of my confessions as gifts that I give to Jesus - even though he is (as always) giving me a larger gift - still it’s a way that I can say “I love you” and show it in an action that costs me somewhat.
 
paperwight66 said:
  1. Most importantly, it can give value to that old accusation that used to be flung at Catholics - ‘they go to confession and then start to do it all again on Monday because they know they can go to confession again on the Saturday’. in other words, the reverse of the problem of scrupulosity - taking sin too lightly.
Click to expand...
So we should avoid the great gifts and sacraments of the Church because of what non-Catholics might say? 🤷
 
In RCIA my former pastor thought anything between weekly and quarterly [every three months] was probably satisfactory. Longer than three months one tends to forget things that need discussion. More than once a week it becomes more habit than contrition. I go monthly. I find if I go more frequently I am going through the motions and not really focusing on repentance.
 
paperwight66 said:
There are more dangers that I can see, and please note, I am only talking generally, I am not saying any of these apply to the OP.
  1. It’s very easy to get attached to the ‘clean’ feeling, and to forget that venial sins are forgiven in other ways as well, which don’t necessarily give that ‘high’.
  2. It can become a case of ‘the singer not the song’ - that is, enjoying the personal attention of the priest, even if anonymous.
  3. Most importantly, it can give value to that old accusation that used to be flung at Catholics - ‘they go to confession and then start to do it all again on Monday because they know they can go to confession again on the Saturday’. in other words, the reverse of the problem of scrupulosity - taking sin too lightly.
Click to expand...
Good thoughts Paperwight66, I think the last one is particularly dangerous, because we might get caught up in the habit of confession and really never try to face down those sins (their remedy only becomes confessing and not the whole ‘sin no more’). Of course, since they are venial and perhaps lack a certain degree of consent, they often might involve things that take a while to remedy. Of course the opposite of 3 is also possible. A person might waste too much energy trying to combat these things when they should be focusing on improving charity and enjoying God’s grace in service to Him. For instance, some may treat these venial sins with a simmilar zeal as one should have when facing down mortal sin, and thats not entirely appropriate in my opinion.

And to be sure I think weekly confession can be a good thing (I typically do it myself), but those are certainly good dangers to keep in mind.
 
dailey said:
Thanks for the replies! Can’t wait to check out those books. 🙂
Click to expand...
My inclination would be to talk with your confessor. We all sin. The vast majority of us do so daily to a greater or lesser extent. Some above have mentioned scrupulosity. Some have hinted at presumption. Your priest may sense something: that there is a developing issue that is leading to an unhealthy use of the sacrament. (Of course, it may be his issue and not yours, too.) Many believe that Luther lost his faith because of an unhealthy scrupulosity. I doubt any of us can bear constant self-condemnation. That can lead to all sorts of issues down the road.

In any event, we are called to recognize our sinfulness and in humility seek God’s forgiveness. Yet, we, too, must trust in God’s mercy. The old say is apt: “Don’t despair, one thief was saved; don’t presume, one thief was not saved.” Maintain a healthy balance in life - live this imperfect life knowing we are imperfect, love God and neighbor, seek to avoid the near occasion of sin,walk humbly before God and our neighbors and trust in God’s Mercy. Don’t become neurotic, either! 🙂
 
dailey said:
I usually like to go to confession a couple times a month (at least). Some times I will even go once a week. The last time I went though, the priest said he didn’t think I had a good idea of what sin was, lol!

I ??
Click to expand...
the rule is follow the spiritual direction of one’s confessor. you have his direction, it simply remains to obey. The attitude of obedience is more importance than “enjoyment” although that is a healthier attitude toward the sacrament than is fear.
 
dailey said:
I usually like to go to confession a couple times a month (at least). Some times I will even go once a week. The last time I went though, the priest said he didn’t think I had a good idea of what sin was, lol! :o 🤷

I admit, the sins I confess are not mortal ones, however, I enjoy going to confession…even though I usually end up confessing things like fighting with my husband, envy, etc. I was chatting with my dad and mentioned this…and he said he thought it might be a sin to go too often since I am wasting the priest time.:rolleyes:

Any thoughts? As far as I know, there are no “rules” in the church that state we cannot go weekly??
Click to expand...
I used to go every day. His Holiness Pope John Paul II went almost every day or second day. I now just go once a week or if I’ve commited a mortal one.

There is no rule preventing you from attending confession frequently.

Pax Christi
Stephen
 
dailey said:
I usually like to go to confession a couple times a month (at least). Some times I will even go once a week. The last time I went though, the priest said he didn’t think I had a good idea of what sin was, lol! :o 🤷

I admit, the sins I confess are not mortal ones, however, I enjoy going to confession…even though I usually end up confessing things like fighting with my husband, envy, etc. I was chatting with my dad and mentioned this…and he said he thought it might be a sin to go too often since I am wasting the priest time.:rolleyes:

Any thoughts? As far as I know, there are no “rules” in the church that state we cannot go weekly??
Click to expand...
From the perspective of [wasting the priest’s time] - that in itself is not a sin. I , like you, try to go twice a month and really succeed in going once a month but when I do, I ask the priest," father, do you have time to hear my confession". Sometimes he says yes and once in a blue moon he’ll say no. And that’s ok with me.

Mine would also be considered venial sins: losing my patience; foul language; impure thoughts etc. But I feel the weight of my sins when a month goes by and I haven’t confessed. Even venial sins tend to weigh one down.

The Sacrament of Confession is the inexhaustible source of renewable grace. All sin is a true offense to God.
And even though venial sin may not require going to confession, I believe that habitual or habit forming venial sins can make me insensitive to their sinfulness.

I prefer to “get used to” going to confession often than to “get used to” committing venial sins as a matter of habit.

Hope this helps.

In hoc signo vinces.
 
paperwight66 said:
There are more dangers that I can see, and please note, I am only talking generally, I am not saying any of these apply to the OP.
  1. It’s very easy to get attached to the ‘clean’ feeling, and to forget that venial sins are forgiven in other ways as well, which don’t necessarily give that ‘high’.
  2. It can become a case of ‘the singer not the song’ - that is, enjoying the personal attention of the priest, even if anonymous.
  3. Most importantly, it can give value to that old accusation that used to be flung at Catholics - ‘they go to confession and then start to do it all again on Monday because they know they can go to confession again on the Saturday’. in other words, the reverse of the problem of scrupulosity - taking sin too lightly.
Click to expand...
Whoa - St. Josemaria Escriva would vehemently disagree with you. He even wrote an entire book about it called “Frequent Confession.” As someone else posted here, the Pope goes to confession weekly. Fr. George Rutler here in NYC told me personally that weekly confession is a very good thing.

Maybe you don’t sin everyday, but most of us do. I’m not proud to say that I generally go to confession only once a month, but I wish I could make myself go more often. There are so many graces and blessings from it.

I guarantee you, anyone who goes to frequent confession is not taking sin too lightly, sinning and not caring, knowing they can just confess it. Confession is a sacrament, meaning there are graces involved. It is very real, and it does change the person bringing him or her closer to God.

I find your advice very dangerous.
 
Brooklyn said:
I guarantee you, anyone who goes to frequent confession is not taking sin too lightly, sinning and not caring, knowing they can just confess it. I find your advice very dangerous.
Click to expand...
I wasn’t claiming that these dangers apply to everyone, nor was I offering advice as such. I only know that these dangers exist because I myself have experienced them. I would no more say that I can guarantee that everyone would experience these dangers than claim I could fly…

Conversely, with respect, I fail to see that you can guarantee that anyone who goes to frequent confession is not taking sin too lightly. You can have that impression and that hope. But ‘guarantee’? How so? You have interviewed everyone on the planet?
 
Plenary indulgences require Confession within the octave (8 days). So if ya want them regularly, ya gotta go to Confession regularly 🙂
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top