Sacrament of Reconciliation for the "traditional" Catholic

[Big_Feet]

How often would a “typical” “traditional” Catholic (one who prefers the Extra-Ordinary Form of the mass) participate in the sacrament of Reconciliation (possibly better known as the sacrament of Penance, though this is truly only one part of the complete sacrament)?

I know in times past, this sacrament was only practiced once in a lifetime, with very brutal, public acts of penance.

But, just prior to the reform of the Mass in the 1960s, was there still a strong recommendation for the participation and reception of this sacrament once month, week, or year (I know that there is a current requirement for reception at least once a year during the Easter season)?

 

[Boulder257]

I think you are probably going to get as many different answers as posts because I don’t think any two people are going to agree on what a “typical” “traditional” Catholic is. You’ll probably get answers ranging between one week and one month I would guess, but that’s just my guess.

Personally I try to go every two to three weeks, or more often if I have committed a mortal sin. Although, I would not consider myself a “typical” Catholic, or a “traditional” Catholic, or a “typical traditional” Catholic. I would just consider myself a Catholic.

Perhaps one should perform a daily examination of conscious and then, armed with that information, they could determine if they were in need of the Sacrament.

I am interested to read some of the responses as I am curious if there is a common answer.

 

[Garyjohn2]

I understood that once a year is required, once a month is encouraged.

Of course every person would be a case-by-case basis, but this was my general understanding.

 

[puzzleannie]

How often would a “typical” “traditional” Catholic (one who prefers the Extra-Ordinary Form of the mass) participate in the sacrament of Reconciliation (?

precisely as often as any other Catholic, when they need confession and absolution.

there is or should be absolutely positively no difference.

 

[Irish_Polock]

How often would a “typical” “traditional” Catholic (one who prefers the Extra-Ordinary Form of the mass) participate in the sacrament of Reconciliation (possibly better known as the sacrament of Penance, though this is truly only one part of the complete sacrament)?

I know in times past, this sacrament was only practiced once in a lifetime, with very brutal, public acts of penance.

But, just prior to the reform of the Mass in the 1960s, was there still a strong recommendation for the participation and reception of this sacrament once month, week, or year (I know that there is a current requirement for reception at least once a year during the Easter season)?

Confession is normally offered prior to Mass, so I “normally” confess weekly, or prior to most Masses while I am at my “traditional” parish.

 

[Chatter163]

How often would a “typical” “traditional” Catholic (one who prefers the Extra-Ordinary Form of the mass) participate in the sacrament of Reconciliation (possibly better known as the sacrament of Penance, though this is truly only one part of the complete sacrament)?

I know in times past, this sacrament was only practiced once in a lifetime, with very brutal, public acts of penance.

But, just prior to the reform of the Mass in the 1960s, was there still a strong recommendation for the participation and reception of this sacrament once month, week, or year (I know that there is a current requirement for reception at least once a year during the Easter season)?

There is no specific obligation to confess at any particular time of the year. Canon 989 simply says:

Can. 989 After having reached the age of discretion, each member of the faithful is ob-liged to confess faithfully his or her grave sins at least once a year.

This is traditionally done during during Lent. Canon law does, however, require that communion be received once a year, at Eastertide:
Can. 920 §1. After being initiated into the Most Holy Eucharist, each of the faithful is obliged to receive holy communion at least once a year.
§2. This precept must be fulfilled during the Easter season unless it is fulfilled for a just cause at another time during the year.
It is true that calling the sacrament penance identifies only one part of the sacrament, but then again, so does calling it *reconciliation–*or even confession, for that matter. :tiphat:

 

[TheDoctor]

How often would a “typical” “traditional” Catholic (one who prefers the Extra-Ordinary Form of the mass) participate in the sacrament of Reconciliation (possibly better known as the sacrament of Penance, though this is truly only one part of the complete sacrament)?

Whenever they had committed a mortal sin and needed absolution, just like any other good practicing Catholic regardless of which Mass they prefer to attend.

I know in times past, this sacrament was only practiced once in a lifetime, with very brutal, public acts of penance.

I believe you are thinking times way way past (Church Father’s time frame, I think). I don’t know for sure and I am in a hurry and can’t look it up. And people think face to face is tough…

But, just prior to the reform of the Mass in the 1960s, was there still a strong recommendation for the participation and reception of this sacrament once month, week, or year (I know that there is a current requirement for reception at least once a year during the Easter season)?

We are required to confess at least once a year if we are guilty of mortal sin. There is no requirement to confess if we are not as far as I recall. I know that Pope JPII went to confession weekly as I believe Pope BXVI does. The change over to the OF had no effect on the frequency that the Church encourages confession.

 

[TrueLight]

We are required to confess at least once a year if we are guilty of mortal sin. There is no requirement to confess if we are not as far as I recall. I know that Pope JPII went to confession weekly as I believe Pope BXVI does. The change over to the OF had no effect on the frequency that the Church encourages confession.

I will say, from my limited experience, that priests in traditional parishes/chapels tend to preach about the benefits of frequent confession. Therefore, members of those parishes are more likely to go to confession more frequently.

So even though the official stance is 1x a year at least, what priests are saying in their homilies can affect the faithful.

 

[Deo_Gratias42]

My traditional priest is in the Confessional every day and preaches on the importance of frequent confession. I don’t commit mortal sins anymore, but I go weekly because it’s available to me and I’m trying to grow in holiness.

 

[MartyrForJesus]

precisely as often as any other Catholic, when they need confession and absolution.

there is or should be absolutely positively no difference.

I think this is another confusing question, where orthodoxy and traditionalism are used interchangeably. Here is my synopsis: traditional Catholics are more likely to go to confession more often than a non-traditional Catholic because traditional Catholics are on average very orthodox in the first place.

 

[hornpout]

the best medicine for the soul is going to confesion very often even if you don`t have a mortal sin and asking God for help and forgivenes it shows God you love him and desire to be with him it works for me

 

[piouswoman]

I will say, from my limited experience, that priests in traditional parishes/chapels tend to preach about the benefits of frequent confession. Therefore, members of those parishes are more likely to go to confession more frequently.

So even though the official stance is 1x a year at least, what priests are saying in their homilies can affect the faithful.

Yes, it can affect the faithful to the point of scrupulosity in some cases.

 

[TrueLight]

Yes, it can affect the faithful to the point of scrupulosity in some cases.

That would be a negative consequence. I see frequent confession as a good thing.

 

[piouswoman]

That would be a negative consequence. I see frequent confession as a good thing.

That depends on how you define ‘frequent’…once a month is reasonable…though confession in the event of any mortal sin at any time, is right.

I found that in the sspx with the constant hammering away at the psyche on the need for frequent confession that certain personalities can carry it too far and the result can be an almost fanatical scrupulosity.

…not to mention those with a tendency towards a ‘guilt complex’…the continual repetitive mantra of ‘frequent confession’ hurts rather than helps.

 

[Tridentinum]

That depends on how you define ‘frequent’…once a month is reasonable…though confession in the event of any mortal sin at any time, is right.

I found that in the sspx with the constant hammering away at the psyche on the need for frequent confession that certain personalities can carry it too far and the result can be an almost fanatical scrupulosity.

…not to mention those with a tendency towards a ‘guilt complex’…the continual repetitive mantra of ‘frequent confession’ hurts rather than helps.

Cardinal Arinze says that we should aim for once every 2-3 weeks. Some go more often.

 

[Marysann]

The OP asked about practice of the Sacrament of Penance in the years before Vatican II. I graduated from high school in 1965, and this was my experience. From the time I received my first holy communion in 1955 until I went to college, and for some time after that, I went to confession every Saturday afternoon. Most of my friends did the same. In our small parish there were always lines, and two priests hearing confessions, unless one priest was called away. My father, who was born in 1913, and a very devout Catholic, went to confession and holy communion only once a year, to fulfill his Easter duty. I learned later that he and many others of his generation had by effected by the old Jansenist heresy, and did not feel themselves worthy to receive holy communion. The sisters who taught us tried to discourage that attitude in us. They taught us that we are all unworthy to receive our Lord, but that if we keep ourselves in the state of grace, we should receive holy communion as often as we can, even daily, to help us grow in love for our Lord, and to give us strength to avoid sin.

Things changed in the late 1960’s and 1970’s. In my experience, I remember being told in confession that behaviors I had been brought up to believe were wrong, were not actually sinful. I will leave it to your imagination what those kinds of behaviors those might have been. I guess if people are told that they are not sinning, then they wondered why they were going to confession. People just got out of the habit.

Today many priests encourage confession about once a month even if a person has no mortal sins to confess. Devotional confessions help us to grow in holiness and give us grace to do better each day. Those who suffer from scrupulosity should follow the advice of their confessor. I hope this is a help to you.

 

[m134e5]

Cardinal Arinze says that we should aim for once every 2-3 weeks. Some go more often.

That sounds about right. Once a month just doesn’t seem like very often to me. Unfortunately, it can be difficult to go more often when parishes only have confessions on Saturday afternoons. Having them only at this time makes it very difficult for people who do activities over the weekends they can’t just interrupt to go to confession right in the middle of the afternoon.

 

[TrueLight]

The OP asked about practice of the Sacrament of Penance in the years before Vatican II. I graduated from high school in 1965, and this was my experience. From the time I received my first holy communion in 1955 until I went to college, and for some time after that, I went to confession every Saturday afternoon. Most of my friends did the same. In our small parish there were always lines, and two priests hearing confessions, unless one priest was called away. My father, who was born in 1913, and a very devout Catholic, went to confession and holy communion only once a year, to fulfill his Easter duty. I learned later that he and many others of his generation had by effected by the old Jansenist heresy, and did not feel themselves worthy to receive holy communion. The sisters who taught us tried to discourage that attitude in us. They taught us that we are all unworthy to receive our Lord, but that if we keep ourselves in the state of grace, we should receive holy communion as often as we can, even daily, to help us grow in love for our Lord, and to give us strength to avoid sin.

Things changed in the late 1960’s and 1970’s. In my experience, I remember being told in confession that behaviors I had been brought up to believe were wrong, were not actually sinful. I will leave it to your imagination what those kinds of behaviors those might have been. I guess if people are told that they are not sinning, then they wondered why they were going to confession. People just got out of the habit.

Today many priests encourage confession about once a month even if a person has no mortal sins to confess. Devotional confessions help us to grow in holiness and give us grace to do better each day. Those who suffer from scrupulosity should follow the advice of their confessor. I hope this is a help to you.

Thanks for sharing your Pre-Vat II experience!

 

[MissRose73]

Each person’s needs are different, some may just need to go 1 time per Church precept in a year. Others may need to go more often.

I just wished more churches would offer more than a hour or 2 on Saturday mornings, not all can make it then due to work or family obligations. It was nice during Advent when a local parish also offered evening confessions on Wednesdays.

 

[Mrs_Sally]

The OP asked about practice of the Sacrament of Penance in the years before Vatican II. I graduated from high school in 1965, and this was my experience. From the time I received my first holy communion in 1955 until I went to college, and for some time after that, I went to confession every Saturday afternoon. Most of my friends did the same. In our small parish there were always lines, and two priests hearing confessions, unless one priest was called away. My father, who was born in 1913, and a very devout Catholic, went to confession and holy communion only once a year, to fulfill his Easter duty. I learned later that he and many others of his generation had by effected by the old Jansenist heresy, and did not feel themselves worthy to receive holy communion. The sisters who taught us tried to discourage that attitude in us. They taught us that we are all unworthy to receive our Lord, but that if we keep ourselves in the state of grace, we should receive holy communion as often as we can, even daily, to help us grow in love for our Lord, and to give us strength to avoid sin.

Things changed in the late 1960’s and 1970’s. In my experience, I remember being told in confession that behaviors I had been brought up to believe were wrong, were not actually sinful. I will leave it to your imagination what those kinds of behaviors those might have been. I guess if people are told that they are not sinning, then they wondered why they were going to confession. People just got out of the habit.

Today many priests encourage confession about once a month even if a person has no mortal sins to confess. Devotional confessions help us to grow in holiness and give us grace to do better each day. Those who suffer from scrupulosity should follow the advice of their confessor. I hope this is a help to you.

This is exactly the way others I know of your age have described things. Both that they and most of their peers went weekly, and that many older people did not.

I find that going once a month is a good time frame for most people. One of our priests encourages weekly confession for young adults to either keep them away from common sins of that age group, or to help them overcome those sins.