It it okay to go to Confession with no mortal sin to confess?

[brigid12]

Welcome Home !!! As a recent convert myself I had asked the same question. A friend had once explained it as each venial sin is minor(compared to mortal sin) but each one added on top of each other can add up fast. I would say go to confession once a month if not more often as time allows or oppurtunity gives, the Sacrement of Reconcilliation is also wonderful for gaining advice also, try to go to the same Confessor so that you can hold yourself accountable for the things you need to work on.
Again Welcome Home!!! It’s the best desciscion You Will Ever Make!

 

[Podo2005]

Since we believe that the Sacrament of Reconciliation conveys graces, is it okay to go to Confession if one has no mortal sins (that they can remember of course)?

The Priest at my parish said going to Confession too often (say once-per-day, or even once a week) can lead to a hypersensitivity to sin and is like using a cannon to kill a fly if you are only using it to confess venial sins.

What does everyone else think?

Yes Yes Yes! I don’t know about going every day but perhaps maybe once a week or once a month would probably be good. Why? because you would constantly be clarifying your mind, recieving grace every time you go to confession. Therefore if you look at it, the chances then of you commiting a mortal sin in the future would be smaller and smaller!
If you go with the attitude that you want to grow in your faith as opposed to being fearful because of some sins you commited then I doubt you’ll become “hypersensitive” to sin.

Your brother in Christ,
Zachary

 

[Genesis12345]

There are other ways of receiving graces. Say the Rosary, especially since October is dedicated to the Rosary, make visits to the Blessed Sacrament and bring a bible with you to read, say your favorite devotions, etc.

If you went to confession everyday and I do not think the priest would allow it, than that is a sign of scrupulosity. Your venial sins can be forgiven by attending mass and the graces from attending mass are enormous because we share in Christ’s death and Resurrection.

But my no means, do not go to confession everyday, and there might be a time when you run into a priest that will be very frustrated and refuse you. There is not need to go everyday, as I said there are other means of receiving graces.

May the Holy Spirit guide you as you struggle.

 

[Sir_Knight]

There are other ways of receiving graces. Say the Rosary, especially since October is dedicated to the Rosary, make visits to the Blessed Sacrament and bring a bible with you to read, say your favorite devotions, etc.

If you went to confession everyday and I do not think the priest would allow it, than that is a sign of scrupulosity. Your venial sins can be forgiven by attending mass and the graces from attending mass are enormous because we share in Christ’s death and Resurrection.

But my no means, do not go to confession everyday, and there might be a time when you run into a priest that will be very frustrated and refuse you. There is not need to go everyday, as I said there are other means of receiving graces.

May the Holy Spirit guide you as you struggle.

One does not receive SACRAMENTAL GRACES by saying the rosary. One receives SACRAMENTAL GRACES only by receiving the sacraments (see Part 3, Section 1, Chapter 3, Article 2, Sub-Section 2 of the Catechism of the Catholic Church).

Additionally, scripture tells us in Romans 14:14 that if one believe that they have sinned, then they have indeed sinned and the official teaching of the Catholic Church, as found in CCC 1811, encourages us to FREQUENT the sacraments.

 

[EasterJoy]

Each visit removes mortal sin from the soul and bestows graces on the soul.

That presumes that the penitent has a mortal sin to confess. The thread is asking about confessions made when there have been none to confess.

Many people falsely believe that reconciliation can be neglected if one is not in mortal sin, since, according to the Compendium of the Catechism of the Catholic Church:
Holy Communion increases our union with Christ and with his Church. It preserves and renews the life of grace received at Baptism and Confirmation and makes us grow in love for our neighbor. It strengthens us in charity, wipes away venial sins and preserves us from mortal sin in the future.

Nevertheless, the Holy Father has been adamant about the connection between the Sacraments of Eucharist and Reconciliation:
Consider this statement, included in Sacramentum Caritatis:
The Synod recalled that Bishops have the pastoral duty of promoting within their Dioceses a reinvigorated catechesis on the conversion born of the Eucharist, and of encouraging frequent confession among the faithful. All priests should dedicate themselves with generosity, commitment and competency to administering the sacrament of Reconciliation. (60) In this regard, it is important that the confessionals in our churches should be clearly visible expressions of the importance of this sacrament. I ask pastors to be vigilant with regard to the celebration of the sacrament of Reconciliation, and to limit the practice of general absolution exclusively to the cases permitted, (61) since individual absolution is the only form intended for ordinary use. (62) Given the need to rediscover sacramental forgiveness, there ought to be a Penitentiary in every Diocese. (63) Finally, a balanced and sound practice of gaining indulgences, whether for oneself or for the dead, can be helpful for a renewed appreciation of the relationship between the Eucharist and Reconciliation. By this means the faithful obtain “remission before God of the temporal punishment due to sins whose guilt has already been forgiven.” (64) The use of indulgences helps us to understand that by our efforts alone we would be incapable of making reparation for the wrong we have done, and that the sins of each individual harm the whole community. Furthermore, the practice of indulgences, which involves not only the doctrine of Christ’s infinite merits, but also that of the communion of the saints, reminds us “how closely we are united to each other in Christ … and how the supernatural life of each can help others.” (65) Since the conditions for gaining an indulgence include going to confession and receiving sacramental communion, this practice can effectively sustain the faithful on their journey of conversion and in rediscovering the centrality of the Eucharist in the Christian life.

 

[mommyof4]

Since we believe that the Sacrament of Reconciliation conveys graces, is it okay to go to Confession if one has no mortal sins (that they can remember of course)?

The Priest at my parish said going to Confession too often (say once-per-day, or even once a week) can lead to a hypersensitivity to sin and is like using a cannon to kill a fly if you are only using it to confess venial sins.

What does everyone else think?

Just the other day, our priest recommended that we go to confession twice a month, mortal sin or no. Then you can earn a plenary indulgence for a soul in purgatory when you go to mass and meet the other requirements for the indulgence. I think it’s a great idea.