On the essentials for a valid confession

[PraiseChrist]

Hello CAF,

One of the necessities for a good confession is knowledge and belief in what the Catholic
Church teaches. However, what consists of this knowledge?

If one were to undergo a good catechism class, that would be enough, I think. However, would we need to know all dogmas? I know that it’s not necessary to have the understanding that St. Thomas Aquinas had, but there is a boundary.

Any relevant advice is much appreciated

God bless and grace you

 

[Bookcat]

No one does not need to have an extensive knowledge of the Catholic Faith to make a good and valid confession.

 

[Bookcat]

catholicnewsagency.com/resources/prayers/guide-for-a-good-confession/

 

[GLam8833]

catholicnewsagency.com/resources/prayers/guide-for-a-good-confession/

In your link for a good confession,
it omitted the need for a prayer of
contrition, is THAT necessary for a
good confession?

 

[Bookcat]

It is in the Rite link catholicnewsagency.com/resources/prayers/guide-for-a-good-confession/rite-of-confession/

What is needed is contrition.

Such can be expressed in various ways.

(can there be a valid confession where no prayer of contrition is said during confession - yes. But ordinarily one does say one. What is needed* is *contrition.)

 

[Bookcat]

PS - there are things there in those links that are not “required” for confession but can be good.

 

[Bookcat]

Compendium: - see sections 296 onwards vatican.va/archive/compendium_ccc/documents/archive_2005_compendium-ccc_en.html

1. What are the essential elements of the sacrament of Reconciliation?

1440-1449

The essential elements are two: the acts of the penitent who comes to repentance through the action of the Holy Spirit, and the absolution of the priest who in the name of Christ grants forgiveness and determines the ways of making satisfaction.

1. What are the acts of the penitent?

1450-1460
1487-1492

They are: a careful examination of conscience; contrition (or repentance), which is perfect when it is motivated by love of God and imperfect if it rests on other motives and which includes the determination not to sin again; confession, which consists in the telling of one’s sins to the priest; and satisfaction or the carrying out of certain acts of penance which the confessor imposes upon the penitent to repair the damage caused by sin.

1. Which sins must be confessed?

1456

All grave sins not yet confessed, which a careful examination of conscience brings to mind, must be brought to the sacrament of Penance. The confession of serious sins is the only ordinary way to obtain forgiveness.

 

[PraiseChrist]

Thanks for the responses