Too Much Confession?

[nsper7]

I have been told by two Priests at my parish that I go to Confession too much, often either confessing things that are not sinful or venial sins, but I also deal with an addictive lust issue, but have been told that an addiction like that cannot be mortal. I have been diagnosed with OCD by a psychologist.

Here is my question: what is wrong with going to Confession a lot (say 2+ times per week)?

Real grace is conferred through the Sacrament and venial sins are still forgiven. I may deal with a Scrupulosity and a conscience over-attuned to sin, but I dealt with those issues back when I was a Protestant confessing to God in prayer.

What is wrong with a scrupulous conscience, but a spotless soul?

 

[alavenderluvbug]

Do you go to daily mass also? I believe your venial sins are forgiven by recieving the eucharist. I go to daily mass and weekly confession. I usually have to confess venial sins and vices but I also go for spiritual direction. Sometimes if I am having a bad day or got into an argument with my husband I would call the priest and go to confession as soon as I could usually that same day. Sometimes 2+ times a week and I have never been told that I go too much. I usually go to the same priest all the time. He is also my spiritual director if that makes any difference. I’d rather be safe and full of grace than sorry.

 

[FrDavid96]

I have been told by two Priests at my parish that I go to Confession too much, often either confessing things that are not sinful or venial sins, but I also deal with an addictive lust issue, but have been told that an addiction like that cannot be mortal. I have been diagnosed with OCD by a psychologist.

Here is my question: what is wrong with going to Confession a lot (say 2+ times per week)?

Real grace is conferred through the Sacrament and venial sins are still forgiven. I may deal with a Scrupulosity and a conscience over-attuned to sin, but I dealt with those issues back when I was a Protestant confessing to God in prayer.

What is wrong with a scrupulous conscience, but a spotless soul?

nsper7:
Trust you confessor. In this case, in the plural. Also, if you’re in RCIA you realy should talk to them about even going to confession before being received into the Church.

People on the internet cannot give you an answer to your question (though no doubt many will try), only your confessor can do that. You need to trust him (them). That’s the best advice and explanation that anyone can give. Address your questions to them and they can give you the right answers.

 

[m134e5]

I have been told by two Priests at my parish that I go to Confession too much, often either confessing things that are not sinful or venial sins, but I also deal with an addictive lust issue, but have been told that an addiction like that cannot be mortal. I have been diagnosed with OCD by a psychologist.

Here is my question: what is wrong with going to Confession a lot (say 2+ times per week)?

Nothing is wrong with it, but you should follow the advice of the confessors. I certainly wouldn’t go more than once a week until you have been in the Church for awhile. Also remember that obcession does not foster holiness- devotion does, and the two are not the same thing.

Real grace is conferred through the Sacrament and venial sins are still forgiven. I may deal with a Scrupulosity and a conscience over-attuned to sin, but I dealt with those issues back when I was a Protestant confessing to God in prayer.

I imagine you need time to study and learn what the Church teaches about grace, human nature, concupiscence, confession, mortal and venial sins and scrupulosity before you go to confession very much.

When you become Catholic, you have to change your whole way of looking at sin, human nature, and the dignity of the human person. RCIA should help you with this, as well as your own personal study (as long as you are advised properly on what materials to get). I often think many converts (particularly from evangelical/fundamentalist churches) do not understand this- and it scares me about the practice of allowing people to convert without going through RCIA (because often the book knowledge these converts have is very, very impressive).

What is wrong with a scrupulous conscience, but a spotless soul?

Plenty… Scrupulosity is a disorder of the conscience- just like presumption of God’s mercy is (presumption is assuming you can sin and then go to confession, or that your sins aren’t that bad so you don’t ever need to go to confession). I should emphasize something- scrupulosity is NOT holiness- it does not develop holiness in any way- it actually (at least in many cases) impedes it.

I am not so sure going to confession so soon in the RCIA process was a good idea, especially because you say you have been diagnosed with OCD. I think it would have been better to wait until closer to your reception into full communion with the Church.

 

[nsper7]

As a point of information, I am a Candidate in RCIA, so I have been validly Baptized. So isn’t it ‘legal’ for me to receive Reconciliation at that point? Just wondering.

 

[eelpis]

There is nothing wrong with frequent confession even daily, some should do it more often. The problem in HMC is not too frequent confessions, the problem is people stay away altogether.

Priests are NOT psychologists or doctors and should refrain from imitating them too.

 

[alavenderluvbug]

When I was a candidate in RCIA I wasn’t allowed to go to confession until it was time for me to recieve the Eucharist and be confirmed. I believe just because you are validly baptised doesn’t mean it is okay to go to confession or otherwise protestants would be able to go to confession also.

 

[bquinn]

Protestants are allowed to go to confession. It’s one of the Sacraments that they are allowed to receive as long s they are baptised.

I agree with FrDavid, trust your confessors. However, one point - unfortunately there are Priests out there who do not believe confession is necessary. You may want to find a Priest you trust, and have him be your regular confessor (of course its ok to go to others inbetween when necessary). But, do the Priests who tell you that you are going to often, say so because they are worried you are not trusting in God’s mercy? Scrupulosity is a sin, in that we think we can make ourselves perfect…we can’t, it is by God’s grace and His sacrifice on the Cross. When we go to confession, it is His blood that is poured over us. Trust in His blood to purify you. Regular confession is beautiful when used to grow in God’s grace and love. Discuss with them, why they suggest you shouldn’t go as often. If it is because they worry that you are suffering from scrupulosity, then work on that. If they are saying so because they do not have enough respect for the Sacrament, then maybe it’s time to find another confessor.

 

[FrDavid96]

Protestants are allowed to go to confession. It’s one of the Sacraments that they are allowed to receive as long s they are baptised.

Actually, that’s a common misconception. The Sacraments are for the faithful only, and Protestants may only receive Confession under 2 circumstances.

The first is baptised RCIA candidates preparing for the Easter Vigil (which is quite a ways off at this point).

The second is in extreme circumstances such as war, persecution, or natural disaster AND only if it is impossible for them to approach a minister of their own community, AND with permission of the bishop. AND they must express belief in the Sacrament itself as the Church understads it. All 4 pre-conditions must be met. Even then, the priest is permitted to hear the confession, but not required.

That’s why it’s important for this person to speak to his confessors about this issue.

I agree with FrDavid, trust your confessors. However, one point - unfortunately there are Priests out there who do not believe confession is necessary. You may want to find a Priest you trust, and have him be your regular confessor (of course its ok to go to others inbetween when necessary). But, do the Priests who tell you that you are going to often, say so because they are worried you are not trusting in God’s mercy? Scrupulosity is a sin, in that we think we can make ourselves perfect…we can’t, it is by God’s grace and His sacrifice on the Cross. When we go to confession, it is His blood that is poured over us. Trust in His blood to purify you. Regular confession is beautiful when used to grow in God’s grace and love. Discuss with them, why they suggest you shouldn’t go as often. If it is because they worry that you are suffering from scrupulosity, then work on that. If they are saying so because they do not have enough respect for the Sacrament, then maybe it’s time to find another confessor.

We need to be supporting the existing relationship between this poster and his two confessors, rather than suggesting another priest, especially given that he’s still in the RCIA process.

Thanks for stressing that point, but let’s refrain from suggesting going to someone else. When scrupulous persons do this (and the poster himself alluded to this so I’m not making an assumption here) it often makes the part of overcoming the scrupulosity even more difficult.

 

[SuscipeMeDomine]

I have been told by two Priests at my parish that I go to Confession too much…

I am always left puzzled when I see questions like this.

You have priests who you know and who know you. They have given you advice. (And two different priests have given the same advice.)

Now you’re turning to total strangers on the Internet about the same issue. Why in the world would you trust our advice – strangers who don’t know you, people who may or may not be knowledgeable Catholics – over the advice of your confessors?

If you don’t feel you can rely on them, why are you confessing to them?

 

[bquinn]

Actually, that’s a common misconception. The Sacraments are for the faithful only, and Protestants may only receive Confession under 2 circumstances.

The first is baptised RCIA candidates preparing for the Easter Vigil (which is quite a ways off at this point).

The second is in extreme circumstances such as war, persecution, or natural disaster AND only if it is impossible for them to approach a minister of their own community, AND with permission of the bishop. AND they must express belief in the Sacrament itself as the Church understads it. All 4 pre-conditions must be met. Even then, the priest is permitted to hear the confession, but not required.

That’s why it’s important for this person to speak to his confessors about this issue.

We need to be supporting the existing relationship between this poster and his two confessors, rather than suggesting another priest, especially given that he’s still in the RCIA process.

Thanks for stressing that point, but let’s refrain from suggesting going to someone else. When scrupulous persons do this (and the poster himself alluded to this so I’m not making an assumption here) it often makes the part of overcoming the scrupulosity even more difficult.

Point taken, thank you.

 

[nsper7]

All the Priests at my parish (at least I know 3 out of 4 know) I am a Candidate in RCIA and they allow me to receive Reconciliation.

 

[FrDavid96]

All the Priests at my parish (at least I know 3 out of 4 know) I am a Candidate in RCIA and they allow me to receive Reconciliation.

nsper7,

As I said, follow the counsel of your confessor(s).

In the above post I was explaining what the law says on the matter. Since you are in RCIA (as opposed to a Protestant who has no affiliation with the Church) you are eligible for confession as part of your preparation for acceptance into the Church. You meet the requirements for that first example. How that is done is for your pastor to decide on an individual basis, and your other confessor under the direction of the pastor. Since the pastor has decided that confession should be available to you, in your situation, that settles it–you are eligible.

 

[alavenderluvbug]

Actually, that’s a common misconception. The Sacraments are for the faithful only, and Protestants may only receive Confession under 2 circumstances.

The first is baptised RCIA candidates preparing for the Easter Vigil (which is quite a ways off at this point).

The second is in extreme circumstances such as war, persecution, or natural disaster AND only if it is impossible for them to approach a minister of their own community, AND with permission of the bishop. AND they must express belief in the Sacrament itself as the Church understads it. All 4 pre-conditions must be met. Even then, the priest is permitted to hear the confession, but not required.

That’s why it’s important for this person to speak to his confessors about this issue.

We need to be supporting the existing relationship between this poster and his two confessors, rather than suggesting another priest, especially given that he’s still in the RCIA process.

Thanks for stressing that point, but let’s refrain from suggesting going to someone else. When scrupulous persons do this (and the poster himself alluded to this so I’m not making an assumption here) it often makes the part of overcoming the scrupulosity even more difficult.

PERFECTLY said:thumbsup:

 

[porthos11]

I’ve said it before, and will say it again: the scrupulous should not ask advice on the forums. The scrupulous must obey their confessors in EVERYTHING, without question whatsoever, no matter what.

Telling the scrupulous to shop for another priest does not help him and can make his condition even worse.

 

[jpjd]

I am always left puzzled when I see questions like this.

You have priests who you know and who know you. They have given you advice. (And two different priests have given the same advice.)

Now you’re turning to total strangers on the Internet about the same issue. Why in the world would you trust our advice – strangers who don’t know you, people who may or may not be knowledgeable Catholics – over the advice of your confessors??

People do this because they are looking for someone to give them the answer they want to hear.