Questions about Sacrament of Confession

[Madaglan]

I was wondering if some of you can help me concerning confession. I have heard that one should go to confession at least once a month, preferably twice. Right now I usually go about once a month. Confession is offered every Saturday at my parish.

However, I feel somewhat unnerved by only going this often. I asked a priest if I should go several times a week, but he recommended against it. You see, I oftentimes attend mid-week masses, but I also tend to sin in the mid-week, oftentimes shortly after a last confession. I honestly try not to sin, but I still sin nontheless, and I guess that the sin would be mortal, too. I try to combat the mortal sin in question, but I usually end up failing in the long run.

Anyhow, I know the Church teaches that one should not accept the Eucharist if one has mortal sin in one’s conscience. Well, since I oftentimes attend more than just Sunday mass, I wonder if I really should be going to these daily masses, if I am to eat the Eucharist. I wonder if I should even go to Sunday mass if I don’t go to confession weekly and still have mortal sin on those Sundays…

I know that in both the Eastern and Western churches that there have been times during which the Eucharist was distributed less frequently than it is today, to avoid the risk of sinful individuals from partaking in the Eucharist. So, I know that there is a real concern about the Eucharist not being abused.

What do you think?

 

[Dr.Colossus]

If you are really trying to overcome this sin, frequent confession is one of the best things you can do. The danger of course is that it could become an excuse to continue the sin and just confess it all the time. What I would suggest is this:

Go to confession once a week if necessary, so that you can receive the Eucharist at Sunday Mass. Continue to attend Mass during the week, but if you have sinned don’t receive the Eucharist. Perhaps the experience of being unable to worthily partake of the Body and Blood of Christ will help you see more clearly the consequences of sin.

 

[km112482]

Dr. Colossus:

If you are really trying to overcome this sin, frequent confession is one of the best things you can do. The danger of course is that it could become an excuse to continue the sin and just confess it all the time. What I would suggest is this:

Go to confession once a week if necessary, so that you can receive the Eucharist at Sunday Mass. Continue to attend Mass during the week, but if you have sinned don’t receive the Eucharist. Perhaps the experience of being unable to worthily partake of the Body and Blood of Christ will help you see more clearly the consequences of sin.

I agree. I think that if during the week you go and you feel that you are unworthy then you should not partake in the Eucharist. If you are sincerely trying to fight this sin then I see nothing wrong with going to confession frequently, but as the above poster said it could become an excuse to continue the sin so dont let that happen. But please dont stop going to mass that is not the answer. If anything you will begin to keep committing the sin more and more because u will be away from the church and OUR LORD. I will pray for you. Just say your rosary everyday and attend daily mass and sunday mass. The Lord knows that you are trying and he knows your heart.

God Bless,
Kerri

 

[LisaB]

I agree with the above posters. Definitely don’t stop going to Mass, and I wouldn’t avoid weekday Mass just because you can’t receive the Eucharist. First, you receive grace by being present at Mass, close to Christ’s Body. Second, Mass is not only about what you “get out of it,” but is also an expression of your love for God and an effort/sacrifice in order to strengthen that relationship with Him. To me, not going to Mass because I can’t receive the Eucharist would be like saying to God, since I can’t get what I need from you today, you won’t get any of me either.

Also, I would be curious to know if it’s one specific sin you are talking about or various sins. Have you discussed these sins with a priest as to whether or not they are mortal? A person has to commit the act in question with complete consent in order for the sin to be mortal. Is this the case with you?

I would recommend a book The Faith Explained by Leo Trese. It’s a wonderful book that explains in a very easy-to-understand language the teachings of the Church. It does a good job of explaining sins, gravity of sins, etc. I think it will help you understand the whole issue of sin, as well as help you deal with yours.

God bless.

 

[Madaglan]

Originally Quoted by LisaB:

Also, I would be curious to know if it’s one specific sin you are talking about or various sins. Have you discussed these sins with a priest as to whether or not they are mortal? A person has to commit the act in question with complete consent in order for the sin to be mortal. Is this the case with you?

I would recommend a book The Faith Explained by Leo Trese. It’s a wonderful book that explains in a very easy-to-understand language the teachings of the Church. It does a good job of explaining sins, gravity of sins, etc. I think it will help you understand the whole issue of sin, as well as help you deal with yours.

For the most part it’s a specific sin that is habitual. I try to stop the habit, but the best I am doing so far is limiting the habit. So the gravity of the sin is lessened since it’s habitual, but it’s still mortal, which is bad.