Should I confess venial sins?

[Polly_Anna]

My confessor said that it is not necessary to confess venial sins, and I get the feeling he is discouraging me from doing so and from going to confession too often (I go every 2-3 weeks). Is there some direction from the Church on this?

 

[Jan_Wakelin]

Pope Pius XII in 1943 wrote: “As you well know, venerable brethren, it is true that venial sins may be expiated in many ways which are to be highly commended. But to ensure more rapid progress day by day in the path of virtue, we will that the pious practice of frequent confession, which was introduced into the Church by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, should be earnestly advocated.”

He also listed eight benefits which follow from the practice of frequent confession:

• Genuine self-knowledge is increased
• Christian humility grows
• bad habits are corrected
• spiritual neglect and tepidity are resisted
• the conscience if purified
• the will is strengthened
• a salutary self-control is developed
• Grace is increased because of the sacrament itself.**

The Catechism of the Catholic Church, § 1458, also “strongly recommends” the confessing of venial sins.**