Should I go to Confession every week?

[Obsidion]

How often do you all go to Confession? I’ve been struggling a lot spiritually lately and want to get back on track with God. I’m starting to think that I should go to Confession every week on Saturday before I go to Sunday Mass. Does this sound like a good plan?

 

[PaulfromIowa]

This is certainly something that one should ask his confessor about. Very few Catholics confess weekly but there may be some for whom it would be a good practice.

 

[Bookcat]

The Church recommends - strongly- frequent confession.

Catechism:

1458 Without being strictly necessary, confession of everyday faults (venial sins) is nevertheless strongly recommended by the Church.59 Indeed the regular confession of our venial sins helps us form our conscience, fight against evil tendencies, let ourselves be healed by Christ and progress in the life of the Spirit. By receiving more frequently through this sacrament the gift of the Father’s mercy, we are spurred to be merciful as he is merciful.

scborromeo.org/ccc/p2s2c2a4.htm#1424

That can mean - every week (I do) or every other week or once a month…

Of course venial sins can be forgiven in many other ways too…but it is good to go often.

 

[Disciple_Leader]

I go to confession weekly. If you are trying to overcome a particular sin or any sin for that matter, the Grace you receive is extraordinary!
God Bless.

 

[Graceful_Lamb]

I try to go at least weekly. Last week, I went several times during the week.

 

[Don_Ruggero]

How often do you all go to Confession? I’ve been struggling a lot spiritually lately and want to get back on track with God. I’m starting to think that I should go to Confession every week on Saturday before I go to Sunday Mass. Does this sound like a good plan?

The question is best directed to your confessor the next time you approach the sacrament. He can make the suggestion in light of your objective, where you are in your spiritual life, your specific struggles, as well as his experience as a confessor and one trained in the spiritual life. It is a simple question, if posed at the end of the confession, and his counsel to you would be an informed one.

 

[Inquiringperson]

The question is best directed to your confessor the next time you approach the sacrament. He can make the suggestion in light of your objective, where you are in your spiritual life, your specific struggles, as well as his experience as a confessor and one trained in the spiritual life. It is a simple question, if posed at the end of the confession, and his counsel to you would be an informed one.

Indeed, a priest is the one best equipped to answer this question in a person to person setting. OP, be sure to give the priest relevant info (say, for example, do you have any porn or drug addictions? Are you scrupulous?)

 

[powerofk]

As stated above, it’s best to ask your personal confessor (who, for most people, is their pastor). I have no schedule when it comes to confession; I generally go whenever I feel the need to - which ends up being several times per year, though the spacing between confessions varies immensely (anywhere from a week to several months apart). If you struggle with a specific sin, mention that to your confessor, and go as much as he recommends. The other reason why it’s important to talk to your confessor about this is because of possible issues with scrupulosity that might pop up.

 

[ProdglArchitect]

How often do you all go to Confession? I’ve been struggling a lot spiritually lately and want to get back on track with God. I’m starting to think that I should go to Confession every week on Saturday before I go to Sunday Mass. Does this sound like a good plan?

As others have said, your best bet is to talk to your confessor about it. With that said, here’s my :twocents:.

Recently I’ve been going upwards of twice a week, but generally I go once per week. That’s because I have a habitual addiction to pornography and masturbation that I’m trying to overcome. If you lack a mortally-sinful vice like that in your life then you’re probably okay going less frequently.

If it’s spirituality you’re struggling with, you’d probably be better served to go spend time with Christ in the Eucharist. Just take some time before mass to sit / kneel before the Lord and talk to Him. He’s always there, waiting for you to come seek Him out. I think we’d all be a lot better off if we did that. (Myself included. I don’t do it nearly as often as I should.)

 

[AKDee]

I go weekly, but it’s because I feel I need to go weekly. I struggle with some habitual sins and I need the sacrament of reconciliation to be reconciled to our Lord and for the help to stop sinning.

 

[Mary_Ellen]

I don’t struggle with any particular mortal sins but I do go to confession weekly. The graces received have been quite helpful in revealing and overcoming my vices. You could try it and if it becomes too stressful–back off and try bi-weekly confession.

 

[drawman]

Frequent Confession is recommended. I go every two weeks. The conditions of gaining Indulgences is met with this frequency and one is able to progress in the goal of Holiness.

With a daily examination, one get very familiar with ones weaknesses. Everyone has a “favorite sin” or a predominate fault, it is beneficial and essential to have victory over this defect if one truly wants to become holy.

Although, it has been said that “one’s pride leave 3 hours after death.” This is to indicate that it is very difficult to allow God to make you Holy. So, don’t be discouraged…

 

[Obsidion]

Frequent Confession is recommended. I go every two weeks. The conditions of gaining Indulgences is met with this frequency and one is able to progress in the goal of Holiness.

With a daily examination, one get very familiar with ones weaknesses. Everyone has a “favorite sin” or a predominate fault, it is beneficial and essential to have victory over this defect if one truly wants to become holy.

Although, it has been said that “one’s pride leave 3 hours after death.” This is to indicate that it is very difficult to allow God to make you Holy. So, don’t be discouraged…

That’s about how often I go now. I go once every two or three weeks. So far that’s worked out for me, I think. I also started wearing my scapular every day again after not having worn it for a while, and am praying the rosary every day as well. That’s helping me a lot getting back on track with God and in my day-to-day struggles as well. It’s so nice to have that grace in my life again. Thanks for your (name removed by moderator)ut!

 

[peter26]

I used to go every week, but less often recently. The advantage of weekly confession is that it makes you more aware of your faults and can help you to overcome them. The downside is that being more aware of your faults can perhaps give you a slightly more sensitive conscience, which has the potential to make you a tiny bit scrupulous as times. Its really a matter of finding the right balance for you.

 

[Bookcat]

How often do you all go to Confession? I’ve been struggling a lot spiritually lately and want to get back on track with God. I’m starting to think that I should go to Confession every week on Saturday before I go to Sunday Mass. Does this sound like a good plan?

Yes it can be.

How often?

I go weekly.

Venial sins can be forgiven in many ways such as the Our Father…but there is more to the reality of confession - that splendid Sacrament.

Frequent confession is a splendid long practice in the Church.

This may be every week for some or every two weeks or ever month…

Everyone is free here in terms of how often to approach the Sacrament for devotional confession (venial sins).

Catechism:

1458 Without being strictly necessary, confession of everyday faults (venial sins) is nevertheless strongly recommended by the Church. Indeed the regular confession of our venial sins helps us form our conscience, fight against evil tendencies, let ourselves be healed by Christ and progress in the life of the Spirit. By receiving more frequently through this sacrament the gift of the Father’s mercy, we are spurred to be merciful as he is merciful

(scborromeo.org/ccc/ccc_toc.htm)

 

[Convert_in_99]

There’s certainly nothing wrong with it, unless you have scruples.

But be considerate. Priests only have a small window usually for confession times. Don’t bring a list of all your venial sins. If you have a mortal sin definitely confess that first, then what venial sins come to mind. No need to worry if you miss a few, or even a lot, they are all forgiven. Also, out of respect for others, don’t seek counsel during this time. If you have some questions just make and appointment. Other than that go for it (again so long as you don’t have scruples.)

I go every month, any more and my scruples start acting up.

 

[Obsidion]

There’s certainly nothing wrong with it, unless you have scruples.

But be considerate. Priests only have a small window usually for confession times. Don’t bring a list of all your venial sins. If you have a mortal sin definitely confess that first, then what venial sins come to mind. No need to worry if you miss a few, or even a lot, they are all forgiven. Also, out of respect for others, don’t seek counsel during this time. If you have some questions just make and appointment. Other than that go for it (again so long as you don’t have scruples.)

I go every month, any more and my scruples start acting up.

How can venial sins be forgiven outside of Confession?

And I don’t take very much time in Confession. I’m very aware that the priest has a limited time, so besides trying to be sensitive to him, I also get nervous in the confessional and confess my sins quickly for that reason (I talk super fast when I’m nervous). So between the two, I make mine a quick in-and-out kind of deal.

 

[Googler]

Even without mortal sins, frequent confession (confession of devotion) is encouraged.

As you well know, Venerable Brethren, it is true that venial sins may be expiated in many ways, which are highly to be 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 Ghost, should be earnestly advocated. By it genuine knowledge is increased, Christian humility grows, bad habits are corrected, spiritual neglect and tepidity are resisted, the conscience is purified, the will strengthened, a salutary self control is attained, and grace is increased by virtue of the Sacrament itself.
~Mystici Corporis, Pope Pius XII

Whenever we say the Our Father devoutly, our venial sins are forgiven.
~St. Augustine

Q. What are the ways in which venial sin can be forgiven?
A. The forgiveness of venial sins is a very important part of our Catholic faith. First of all, there are two things that can be forgiven for the commission of venial sins. The guilt can be forgiven, which means the grace lost through venial sins can be restored. Secondly the punishment due to venial sins can be remitted, either entirely or partially.
Given the above premises, venial sins can be forgiven in all the ways that we can obtain grace from God. Thus every reception of Holy Communion, every participation at Mass, every adoration of the Holy Eucharist, every reception of the sacrament of penance, every indulgence gained, every prayer said, every act of piety performed in the state of grace — are all means by which venial sins are forgiven as described above.
One more proviso should be added. We obtain remission of our venial sins in the degree that we are united with God by His grace and perform a good work with an awareness and a willingness to do God’s will. The more generous we are in doing God’s will in our lives, the more our guilt and penalty for venial sins are remitted.
~Ask Father Hardon

 

[dje101]

How often do you all go to Confession? I’ve been struggling a lot spiritually lately and want to get back on track with God. I’m starting to think that I should go to Confession every week on Saturday before I go to Sunday Mass. Does this sound like a good plan?

I’m in a similar situation in which I’m trying to get back on track with God. I work every other weekend, so I’ve been trying to go to confession on the Saturdays that I have off until I get a handle on things, and then I’ll extend it to once a month.

Hope that helps.