The Sacrament of Confession during Lent - is it a precept that one MUST do this?

[mommamaree]

I have seen in different places some lists of the precepts of the Catholic Church. Some included confession once a year (during Lent). Others did not include this precept. Obviously, any time one is cognizant of having committed a serious sin, one should go to confession before receiving Holy Communion, and all Catholics also have the Easter duty of receiving Holy Communion during Eastertide. So, is it just that the principle of confession before Communion and the precept of the Easter duty are often combined, or is it actually a precept that one MUST go to confession during Lent, even if a thorough examination of conscience reveals no serious sins?
I am asking abstractly, and specifically for my situation. Lent is already more than half gone, and due to illness (my own and my children), I was home-bound for the first half of Lent, and I am only now able to get out and about a little bit, without being overwhelmed and exhausted. I wanted to make sure I wasn’t going to be guilty of a mortal sin if I am somehow unable to make it to one of the remaining times for confession during Lent. I used to go the first weekend of every month, but the past couple of months have thrown me off with several crises and illnesses.
Thanks to anyone who is able to help me understand this!

 

[Sirach2]

The Catechism states this at #2042:

The second precept (“You shall confess your sins at least once a year”) ensures preparation for the Eucharist by the reception of the sacrament of reconciliation, which continues Baptism’s work of conversion and forgiveness.

The third precept (“You shall receive the sacrament of the Eucharist at least during the Easter season”) guarantees as a minimum the reception of the Lord’s Body and Blood in connection with the Paschal feasts, the origin and center of the Christian liturgy.

The precept does not state that confession must be made during Lent, but the reception of Eucharist should be received during Easter-tide. So if you need to confess FIRST before fulfilling the third precept, it could also be done during Easter-tide. It is not obligatory during Lent.

 

[mommamaree]

The Catechism states this at #2042:

The precept does not state that confession must be made during Lent, but the reception of Eucharist should be received during Easter-tide. So if you need to confess FIRST before fulfilling the third precept, it could also be done during Easter-tide. It is not obligatory during Lent.

Thank you! This helps greatly. I hope to be able to return to monthly confessions as a family soon, but it has been so hard recently. Now I know I don’t have to worry about this. I hadn’t realized the exact answer I needed was in the Catechism. I could have easily looked it up in two minutes.

 

[Sirach2]

Thank you! This helps greatly. I hope to be able to return to monthly confessions as a family soon, but it has been so hard recently. Now I know I don’t have to worry about this. I hadn’t realized the exact answer I needed was in the Catechism. I could have easily looked it up in two minutes.

No problem. You may not have known exactly how to search, since it is listed under “precepts” rather than under confession, etc.

Remember, too, that Easter has a very long season, so you have plenty of opportunity. I believe it ends on Trinity Sunday.

Glad to be of help.

 

[Elizium23]

The Catechism reflects what is in the Code of Canon Law.
Code of Canon Law:

Can. 989 All the faithful who have reached the age of discretion are bound faithfully to confess their grave sins at least once a year.

In the Ordinary Form, Easter ends with Pentecost, Ordinary Time is observed beginning with the Monday following.

 

[mommamaree]

The Catechism reflects what is in the Code of Canon Law.

So, even then, it is only if one is cognizant of a sin of grave matter. This precept really is the bare minimum, then. I like doing more frequent confessions, but sometimes I will prepare myself for confession, and then something comes up with the children, and I will be unable to go. The times that has happened, I still feel like I benefited so much from the examination of conscience, and I know that the Confiteor at Mass is enough to be forgiven for venial sins. So, I just let it go and don’t worry about it. I will do the same in this circumstance: prepare myself, but if I am prevented from going, not worrying.

 

[Sirach2]

So, even then, it is only if one is cognizant of a sin of grave matter. This precept really is the bare minimum, then. I like doing more frequent confessions, but sometimes I will prepare myself for confession, and then something comes up with the children, and I will be unable to go. The times that has happened, I still feel like I benefited so much from the examination of conscience, and I know that the Confiteor at Mass is enough to be forgiven for venial sins. So, I just let it go and don’t worry about it. I will do the same in this circumstance: prepare myself, but if I am prevented from going, not worrying.

Yes, the wording is “grave sins.” One is never bound to confess venial sins once a year. You have the right idea.

 

[Sirach2]

In the Ordinary Form, Easter ends with Pentecost, Ordinary Time is observed beginning with the Monday following.

Here is a post from an older Catholic like myself, who was taught that the season of Easter ends on Trinity Sunday. Perhaps the time frame has changed, but nevertheless, there is plenty of opportunity to fulfill the precept. Many will do so for Easter, especially since the Divine Mercy Sunday that follows is indulgenced with a plenary, under the usual conditions.

My 1949 Baltimore Catechism says the time for fulfilling the obligation extends from the first Sunday in Lent to Trinity Sunday [both inclusive]. I think the reason for the long period was to accommodate the long distance between churches and the poor transportation in the early days of the United States. I have never seen any notice of change of this; so presume it is still valid.

 

[Sirach2]

One more observation - Trinity Sunday follows Pentecost, and then we celebrate Corpus Christi. Ordinary Time does not begin until after this last feast, but I am not aware that Corpus Christi was considered part of Easter-tide.

 

[powerofk]

One more observation - Trinity Sunday follows Pentecost, and then we celebrate Corpus Christi. Ordinary Time does not begin until after this last feast, but I am not aware that Corpus Christi was considered part of Easter-tide.

In the OF, Trinity Sunday and Corpus Christi are considered movable Ordinary Time feasts. Easter ends with Pentecost, with the weekdays after Pentecost being considered Ordinary Time weekdays. Trinity Sunday is the first Sunday after Pentecost, and Corpus Christi the second Thursday (though the US has moved the feast to the second Sunday) after Pentecost. The weekdays during this period, however, are considered Ordinary Time Weekdays.

 

[Sirach2]

In the OF, Trinity Sunday and Corpus Christi are considered movable Ordinary Time feasts.

Yes, I was aware of Corpus Christi being moveable, but not Trinity Sunday. I don’t doubt you – it’s still moot, for the season gives folks plenty of time to do their Easter duty, as it used to be called.

Thanks!

 

[grannymh]

Please explain

CCC, 1457 is the cross reference in the margin for CCC, 2042. I put the word serious in bold.

**1457 **According to the Church’s command, “after having attained the age of discretion, each of the faithful is bound by an obligation faithfully to confess serious sins at least once a year.” Anyone who is aware of having committed a mortal sin must not receive Holy Communion, even if he experiences deep contrition, without having first received sacramental absolution, unless he has a grave reason for receiving Communion and there is no possibility of going to confession. Children must go to the sacrament of Penance before receiving Holy Communion for the first time.

 

[Sirach2]

Please explain

CCC, 1457 is the cross reference in the margin for CCC, 2042. I put the word serious in bold.

**1457 **According to the Church’s command, “after having attained the age of discretion, each of the faithful is bound by an obligation faithfully to confess serious sins at least once a year.” Anyone who is aware of having committed a mortal sin must not receive Holy Communion, even if he experiences deep contrition, without having first received sacramental absolution, unless he has a grave reason for receiving Communion and there is no possibility of going to confession. Children must go to the sacrament of Penance before receiving Holy Communion for the first time.

Granny,

Were you just filling in this norm as a point of reference, or did you really mean that you want someone to explain it?

 

[grannymh]

Granny,

Were you just filling in this norm as a point of reference, or did you really mean that you want someone to explain it?

Good to see you, Sirach 2,

Yes, I would really like an explanation why does CCC, 2042 say “sins” (the plural) when CCC, 1457 refers to “serious sins” (the specific)?

When I read CCC, 2042, it said confess your sins at least once a year. I was taught that venial sins were sins. We did not have to confess venial sins; however, the Sacrament of Confession provides graces for the future so that we can cut down on annoying venial sins. Since venial sins are sins… and CCC, 2042 refers to sins…

 

[Sirach2]

Good to see you, Sirach 2,

Yes, I would really like an explanation why does CCC, 2042 say “sins” (the plural) when CCC, 1457 refers to “serious sins” (the specific)?

When I read CCC, 2042, it said confess your sins at least once a year. I was taught that venial sins were sins. We did not have to confess venial sins; however, the Sacrament of Confession provides graces for the future so that we can cut down on annoying venial sins. Since venial sins are sins… and CCC, 2042 refers to sins…

Hi Granny,
Did you notice the footnote #83 that was included in CCC-2042? If you scroll to that footnote, it references Canon Law 989. The CCC was not really clear, but the Canon helps to understand it more fully. I seriously do not believe one needs to confess as an obligation, if there are no mortal sins.
Can. 989 All the faithful who have reached the age of discretion are bound faithfully to confess their grave sins at least once a year.

 

[grannymh]

Hi Granny,
Did you notice the footnote #83 that was included in CCC-2042? If you scroll to that footnote, it references Canon Law 989. The CCC was not really clear, but the Canon helps to understand it more fully. I seriously do not believe one needs to confess as an obligation, if there are no mortal sins.
Can. 989 All the faithful who have reached the age of discretion are bound faithfully to confess their grave sins at least once a year.

Thank you.

Since Cannon Law 989 is also the footnote to* CCC*, 1457, would you say that CCC, 1457 takes precedence?

When I learned the precepts in grade school, I thought that the second one about Confession was silly because obviously people would go to Confession right after a mortal sin. Now, I am finding out that there are Catholics who are clueless about mortal sin and the need for God’s forgiveness. As for the State of Sanctifying Grace … what and where is that?

I do think that my real concern was that the Mortal Sin concept of serious horrible destruction needs to be emphasized six ways to Sunday.

Information source. CCC, Glossary, Mortal Sin, page 889; CCC, Glossary, Sanctifying Grace, page 898.

 

[Sirach2]

Thank you.

Since Cannon Law 989 is also the footnote to* CCC*, 1457, would you say that CCC, 1457 takes precedence?

Yeppir! Absolutely. It is further stated in CCC 1458,
Without being strictly necessary, confession of everyday faults (venial sins) is nevertheless strongly recommended by the Church.

 

[felsguy]

In the Ordinary Form, Easter ends with Pentecost, Ordinary Time is observed beginning with the Monday following.

The several liturgical calendars I looked at likewise say this.

Interestingly though, in the United States Catechism for Adults, under the heading The Precepts of the Church the section on the third precept reads “You shall receive the Sacrament of the Eucharist at least during the Easter season. In the United States, this extends from the First Sunday of Lent to Trinity Sunday.” (emphasis added)

 

[Vico]

I have seen in different places some lists of the precepts of the Catholic Church. Some included confession once a year (during Lent). Others did not include this precept. Obviously, any time one is cognizant of having committed a serious sin, one should go to confession before receiving Holy Communion, and all Catholics also have the Easter duty of receiving Holy Communion during Eastertide. So, is it just that the principle of confession before Communion and the precept of the Easter duty are often combined, or is it actually a precept that one MUST go to confession during Lent, even if a thorough examination of conscience reveals no serious sins?
I am asking abstractly, and specifically for my situation. Lent is already more than half gone, and due to illness (my own and my children), I was home-bound for the first half of Lent, and I am only now able to get out and about a little bit, without being overwhelmed and exhausted. I wanted to make sure I wasn’t going to be guilty of a mortal sin if I am somehow unable to make it to one of the remaining times for confession during Lent. I used to go the first weekend of every month, but the past couple of months have thrown me off with several crises and illnesses.
Thanks to anyone who is able to help me understand this!

The practice is different in the eastern Catholic churches and is given in canon law for the eastern Catholic churches CCEO, which is that known serious sins should be attended to as soon as possible, and also often during times of fasts and penance:
CCEO Canon 719
Anyone who is aware of serious sin is to receive the sacrament of penance as soon as possible; it is strongly recommended to all the Christian faithful that they receive this sacrament frequently especially during the times of fasts and penance observed in their own Church sui iuris.