It seems like the catholic faithful neglect the sacrament of Penance

[Pug]

1394 As bodily nourishment restores lost strength, so the Eucharist strengthens our charity, which tends to be weakened in daily life; and this living charity wipes away venial sins. By giving himself to us Christ revives our love and enables us to break our disordered attachments to creatures and root ourselves in him:…

So, perhaps because many people receive the Eucharist frequently these days, there is less of a perceived need to go to confession often, so long as there has been no mortal sin. The twice yearly services are always well attended.

Anyway, the lines at our parish are a bit too long for one to feel free to hog more than your share of the priest’s time unless you need it. They didn’t used to be too long, though, so something is changing.

 

[ProVobis]

Has is ever occurred to anyone that perhaps most Catholics aren’t committing mortal sins, and therefore, aren’t required to go to Confession?

I think this mindset misses the point of confession altogether. Communion isn’t required at every Mass; however most wouldn’t think of skipping communion at Mass, especially the Anglophones. As has been pointed out, confession is a sacrament instituted by Christ and one that is unique to Catholics. If sin isn’t a concern, then the death on the cross has no value to you. Christ died for ALL sins and if they bother you, as they should if you have a conscience, He’s telling you He’s ready to forgive if you want to be forgiven. Kids are taught how and what to confess at an early age; who’s in a position to tell them the sins they were taught to confess as kids aren’t such a big deal after all?

 

[Cat]

I think this mindset misses the point of confession altogether. Communion isn’t required at every Mass; however most wouldn’t think of skipping communion at Mass, especially the Anglophones. As has been pointed out, confession is a sacrament instituted by Christ and one that is unique to Catholics. If sin isn’t a concern, then the death on the cross has no value to you. Christ died for ALL sins and if they bother you, as they should if you have a conscience, He’s telling you He’s ready to forgive if you want to be forgiven. Kids are taught how and what to confess at an early age; who’s in a position to tell them the sins they were taught to confess as kids aren’t such a big deal after all?

Yes, I agree with all you say, and I agree that the Sacrament of Reconciliation is a beautiful sacrament that always helps me in my walk with the Lord Jesus.

All I’m saying is that many Catholics who can’t make it to Reconciliation regularly are not committing any sin or disregarding any of the Church precepts.

That means that we shouldn’t assume that short Confession lines are because Catholics have lost the concept of sin, or because of any negative reason.

BTW, in my parish, the Confession lines are fairly long.

 

[Dorothy]

Everytime I go to confession it seems that only a trickle of penitents take part in this great sacrament. Why do you think this sacrament has grown out of favor? Is it because we’ve lost the concept of sin?

It seems to me that it may be a loss of the sense of what is sinful, and a lack of catechesis on that sacrament.

 

[phil19034]

It seems to me that it may be a loss of the sense of what is sinful, and a lack of catechesis on that sacrament.

I asked my mom yesterday why she never took us to confession when we were kids… She said (1) she thought they took us often during CCD and (2) she never thought we had mortal sins.

So I commented with “of course we did. Look at all the times we missed mass because we didn’t want to go.” My mom then replied with “you don’t have to go to confession for missing mass.” So I needed to catechize her.

I asked her, how she could be so un-catechized when my grandparents (who are in their 80s and 90s) are devout Catholics… I think I’m going to ask my grandparents. But my theory is that she got lost in the “Spirit of Vatican II” commotion due to the media and progressives.

Point is … Lots don’t know what sins are grave matters or even know what sin is. I also think that many don’t like the reconciliation rooms.

 

[ProVobis]

I asked my mom yesterday why she never took us to confession when we were kids… She said (1) she thought they took us often during CCD and (2) she never thought we had mortal sins.

So I commented with “of course we did. Look at all the times we missed mass because we didn’t want to go.” My mom then replied with “you don’t have to go to confession for missing mass.” So I needed to catechize her.

I asked her, how she could be so un-catechized when my grandparents (who are in their 80s and 90s) are devout Catholics… I think I’m going to ask my grandparents. But my theory is that she got lost in the “Spirit of Vatican II” commotion due to the media and progressives.

Point is … Lots don’t know what sins are grave matters or even know what sin is. I also think that many don’t like the reconciliation rooms.

It seems that way. It must have been during that period when people were looking for just one priest (or anyone, for that matter) to tell them that it’s okay to use their conscience in matters of birth control and other matters. When that one person was found, I bet a lot of catechism (and moral upbringing) went to waste.

 

[Miserissima]

This comes down to jealousy.

Why can’t we say to ourselves, “those people are more holy than I” as opposed to “they sin more, or as.much, as I?”

Really. You don’t see me in the confession line? I went on Thursday at noon at a church closer to my work site. Why would I have to explain that to YOU?

 

[ProVobis]

This comes down to jealousy.

To some extent. Especially when you were taught in a strict school and feel others were not.

Why can’t we say to ourselves, “those people are more holy than I” as opposed to “they sin more, or as.much, as I?”

Better yet, why can’t we just say “God will judge them like everyone else”?

 

[Musicmedic]

I have to schedule to go to confession. My work schedule (24 hrs on, 48 hrs off) makes it difficult to be able to make it when it is offered. So scheduling it outside of when it is offered just takes a lot of the stress away. I try and go at least once a month, once every other month at most.

 

[Miserissima]

To some extent. Especially when you were taught in a strict school and feel others were not.

Better yet, why can’t we just say “God will judge them like everyone else”?

Good on you, Pro, for getting where I’m coming from. And a big “thanks.”

We do have works of mercy to do, I get that. But we’re called to instruct, admonish comfort, lead, and guide, not guess at the disposition of the souls of others.