Should one go to confession every sunday? Or not receive communion?

[Tis_Bearself]

Didn’t people go to confession a LOT more before Vatican II?

Like, there would be lines at confession times?

While I agree with you that more people probably went to confession, and perhaps more often, prior to V2 (based on what I have heard and read), there are usually “lines at confession times” when I go now. May be fewer people going, but there are also fewer priests hearing the confession and fewer times during the week to go. The lines are especially bad around First Saturday, when many who might not otherwise go right that minute are attending to fulfill the conditions of the devotion. If you do not go early you risk not getting to the front of the line within the allotted hour.

Priests were available just before Mass on Sundays, and would hear confessions during Mass if there was a second priest available?

I have seen one OF church that still has confession just before Sunday Mass, and one TLM church that hears confessions before and during Mass and has very long lines. I think one issue is that the second priest is often not available - in this environment he may be saying the Mass at the sister parish across town, or there might not even be 2 priests at a parish. Also, I think most OF parishes would see confession during Mass as distracting people from the Mass in which they’re supposed to be participating.

 

[Brendan_64]

I know of a church in London where they have Confession before every Mass (most of which are OF Masses) not just before Sunday Mass. It’s also a one-priest parish.

 

[Tis_Bearself]

He must be very dedicated.

It actually makes sense though to have it right before Mass. That way, people do not need to make two trips or remember that it’s at a special time. They just need to come early to Mass.

It is rather annoying that almost all churches seem to schedule it at the same time on Saturday morning and/or Saturday afternoon. If you have a conflict with Saturday, you are out of luck. Also, sometimes there have been weddings scheduled for that time, so people including me show up for Confession and find there is a wedding going on and no confession.

 

[simonjosiah1]

padre pio recommended weekly confession, just confess small things, try and make yourself a perfect saint.
It’s your priests job to be a confessor, he should be pleased someone wants to be holy

 

[Brendan_64]

He must be very dedicated.

It actually makes sense though to have it right before Mass. That way, people do not need to make two trips or remember that it’s at a special time. They just need to come early to Mass.

He is. He’s also managing a major restoration project at his church that has been going on for several years now. He is a one-man human dynamo.

Another really important point, in my opinion, is that having Confession before Mass highlights that crucial link between the sacrament of Confession and the Eucharist.

 

[Augustinian]

He’s also managing a major restoration project at his church

Sorry to hear that’s needed. If his church is an old edifice, which is sounds like by the length of the project, its very expensive and difficult to find and make repairs on old infrastructure

 

[Brendan_64]

Sorry to hear that’s needed. If his church is an old edifice, which is sounds like by the length of the project, its very expensive and difficult to find and make repairs on old infrastructure

It is very expensive. It was an old historic church which had become run-down over the years and its character spolied by "modern’ covering jobs etc. But he is slowly turning this church into something amazing. It is not my parish or diocese, but I hope that once the church is fully restored his bishop lets him stay there and doesn’t move him.

 

[poche]

You should confess as often as you feel the need.

 

[nearlycatholic]

I have read in some missals sections on devotions for a good confession and also some stuff in apps. When I am a Catholic I think I am going to go a lot. It just seems like an extremely healthy and helpful exercise. Transparency in a Christian life is a good thing. I think this would help me.

 

[PJM]

According to Catholicism:

One must go to mass every Sunday
One should not take communion unless he confesses
One should at least confess once a month, some say once a year

I may sin during the week, mortal or not, I don’t know, I try to avoid sinning, if I’m lucky I didn’t do grave sins, but there’s always this doubt, what if my sin is great.

Is it okay to confess every week? Because I tried it two weeks in a row and even the priest was a little surprised and is often low on time. So would one go take communion once per month?

Thank you for asking:slightly_smiling_face:

1st you have the teachings of the RCC at least incomplete, if not wrong.

As an ABSOLUTE:
Confession is required ONLY when one has committed a Mortal sin
1 Serious matter
2 PRE-knowledge that this act WILL BE a Mortal sin If it is “done”
3 That this Act be willfully and FREELY desired or accomplished

Venial sins are removed near the start of Mass with the Public …" Oh my God I am truly for all my sins" …

If one attend Mass NOT in Mortal sin Holy Communion is not only “OK” it is God’s Gift of Himself to each of us; so PLEASE to receive; even without Confession IF, if, you are without Mortal sin.

IF you have slipped into Mortal sin; then YES Sacramental Confession Is needed before you can worthily receive Christ.

Thank you for asking

May God guide our path

 

[Gc333]

People confessing weekly nowadays often get this reaction from a priest because he may wonder what you did that was so grave that you’re back so soon, or if you don’t confess anything grave he will wonder if you are suffering from scruples. I usually go about once a month but a couple of times I’ve gone after a week for specific reasons, and the priest acted a little startled with me too.

The main reason I am going once a month or slightly more is for a specific optional devotion I practice. Most people, including my family and I when I was growing up, go more like every 2-4 months assuming no grave sin had been committed. Ask your priest how often he recommends.

So sad how priests react nowadays… getting the sacraments is nothing to be ashamed of. If you commit a mortal sin everyday (God Forbid) Then you need confession every day. Unfortunately we have such a small amount of priests in comparison to what we need.