Recommended frequency for Confession

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Hi.

I´ve been Catholic for quite some time. I guess my estimated frequency of going to Confession is in average every 2-3 weeks. At this point, where my preferable confessor is in another parish and I don´t think that I´m guilty of any mortal sin, I wonder how frequently I should go? What is the recommended frequency (if no mortal sins are committed)?

Thanks in advance!
 
The recommended frequency for confession is as often as you need to go. To have someone say it’s every X days or weeks is a misunderstanding of the sacrament.
 
The Church requires that you confess once per year. It does not oblige you to confess more frequently. Of course, the Church would like you to confess more than once a year. However, beyond satisfying that obligation the frequency with which you go has to be down to your own conscience. Obviously, if you know you are in a state of mortal sin you ought to go to confession prior to receiving Communion. To receive Our Lord while in a state of mortal sin is itself a mortal sin.
 
TomH1 said:
The Church requires that you confess once per year. r.
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No, the Church requires that you confess mortal sins once a year. It does not require annual confession if the person is not conscious of having committed mortal sin. In other words, it is not a blanket requirement,

See Cano Law 989.
 
I apologise. I was going to write ‘mortal sin’. Perhaps I should have and also posted a link to the relevant canon. I need to remember how much people nit-pick on these fora and tighten up the accuracy and precision of my answers.
 
If you have committed a grave/ potentially mortal sin, you should go ASAP.

If you don’t think you have committed a grave, potentially mortal sin, then my personal opinion would be to go once every 1-2 months, or more often if a particular devotion (example: First Saturday) calls for it.

This is my opinion only and not Church teaching.

I’m a little bothered when you say your “preferable confessor” is in another parish. Some people benefit from having a regular confessor, but given that one’s “preferable confessor” could die or be transferred away at any time, or you yourself could move or be travelling for some extended period, you should not be making your confession schedule based on “preferable confessor” availability. This could create an unhealthy dependence habit. You should be able to confess to any priest who speaks your language, if necessary.
 
I used to go once a month, but then I had a schedule which allowed me to go every week for a while. Luckily I had a good confessor who helped me with some of my vices. That was so wonderful 🙂
 
Tis_Bearself said:
I’m a little bothered when you say your “preferable confessor” is in another parish. Some people benefit from having a regular confessor, but given that one’s “preferable confessor” could die or be transferred away at any time, or you yourself could move or be travelling for some extended period, you should not be making your confession schedule based on “preferable confessor” availability. This could create an unhealthy dependence habit. You should be able to confess to any priest who speaks your language, if necessary.
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I may go to Confession with most priests - it´s not about that. It´s just that I know about a few priests which I prefer to go with.

I know the requirement of the Church is only to go once a year - and everytime you have a mortal sin to confess. I´d just like to know what other Catholics do as well so I know what frequency is normal 🙂
 
I agree with others that you go when you need to, but I feel there is something to be said for establishing a habit of going. If you don’t have a regiment, it becomes easier to justify not going. That too may vary with people, but once a month would seem to be a manageable goal for most people, I would think
 
Kima said:
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Tis_Bearself:
I’m a little bothered when you say your “preferable confessor” is in another parish. Some people benefit from having a regular confessor, but given that one’s “preferable confessor” could die or be transferred away at any time, or you yourself could move or be travelling for some extended period, you should not be making your confession schedule based on “preferable confessor” availability. This could create an unhealthy dependence habit. You should be able to confess to any priest who speaks your language, if necessary.
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I may go to Confession with most priests - it´s not about that. It´s just that I know about a few priests which I prefer to go with.

I know the requirement of the Church is only to go once a year - and everytime you have a mortal sin to confess. I´d just like to know what other Catholics do as well so I know what frequency is normal 🙂
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Go as often as you feel you need to. These days I go once every two weeks usually. But that’s me and may not necessarily be what someone else does.
 
Once a year (a precept of the Church) or as frequently as you fall into mortal sin, at a minimum. Then, any additional at the frequency you would like.
 
Padre Pio recommended once a week. I try to make it every other week. It’s good to have a constant recognition of one’s sins and imperfections.
 
When I wasn’t doing First Saturday and indulgence practice, I went every month or two.

I personally now go every 20 days and go an extra time if necessary for First Saturday, so it’s usually twice a month for me.

Before I was a lapsed Catholic, I went about twice a year and that made it a big deal, a headache, made me nervous about going etc because it was such an infrequent event. If you go often, it’s like brushing your teeth rather than a big dental visit.
 
I think I´m going to go once a month, it seems pretty appropriate for me.
 
The Church recommends frequent confession, which is defined by our priests as at least once a month, so that’s the guideline I follow. I may go 6 weeks sometimes, but any more than that, and some priests will suggest, as part of the spiritual guidance they give afterwards, to get to confession more often.

Of course these are not requirements, but recommendations for those who want to grow in their spiritual life.
 
I read something the other day about our lady of fatima requesting we pray the rosary daily and requesting that we go to confession monthly as well as fasting on Wednesdays and Fridays.
 
I have heard good priests recommend confession at least once a month if not every 1-3 weeks. If you are really committed to growing in holiness you should try to go often, unless you are scrupulous and your confessor advises otherwise. Of course it can be hard to get to confession due to your schedule or the lack of confession times but do your best
 
Kima said:
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Tis_Bearself:
I’m a little bothered when you say your “preferable confessor” is in another parish. Some people benefit from having a regular confessor, but given that one’s “preferable confessor” could die or be transferred away at any time, or you yourself could move or be travelling for some extended period, you should not be making your confession schedule based on “preferable confessor” availability. This could create an unhealthy dependence habit. You should be able to confess to any priest who speaks your language, if necessary.
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I may go to Confession with most priests - it´s not about that. It´s just that I know about a few priests which I prefer to go with.

I know the requirement of the Church is only to go once a year - and everytime you have a mortal sin to confess. I´d just like to know what other Catholics do as well so I know what frequency is normal 🙂
Click to expand...
I usually go about once every 6 weeks. I have a regular Confessor and I am usually willing to wait until he and I can get to see him, plus I have a couple of “back up” preferred confessors in case it is too difficult to get together with my regular confessor. Of course, if I really need to, I will go to any priest.
 
It is spiritually healthy to confess regularly, even if only venial sins are being confessed. Confession requires humility and the evil one hates that, as he possesses absolutely zero. Some may have noticed that temptations appear right after confession. I must admit that I look both ways when exiting the confessional, as I know the evil one is near and I want him to see me watching for him!
 
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