Too much frequent confession - a bad thing?

  • Thread starter Thread starter catholic_guy83
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
C

catholic_guy83

Guest
HI all,

Would like to seek some clarification on the sacrament of confession -

Lately I have been struggling a lot with some personal sin and it fits all the requirements of a mortal sin. As a result I have been going for confession, a little too frequently and I was told by the confessor (priest) that I shouldn’t be going for confession too much and I should give some time to reflect on my life and my areas of struggle before making a confession.

I am not too sure what he meant by that but I would like to seek some clarification on whether there is such a thing as “too much confession” - I do realise that my behaviour on the outward may appear as being “scrupulous” but I know deep within me I am just really struggling with this sin, especially in recent times given my situation. And I do fear that by not confessing this I will miss out on God’s grace which I so desperately need if I am going to really fight this sin during these trying times. I do know the validity of this sacrament and I am also aware not to make this a habit (i.e - making confession as a washing machine for soul and as a result taking God’s grace and mercy for granted which is why I am torn on whether I should then “deliberately” be in a state of mortal sin until some time has passed (1-2 weeks) before confessing - would that help in my spiritual growth? - I really don’t know!)

Any advice or comments is much appreciated her - I I am unfortunately unable to also visit my regular spiritual director at the moment due to my situation but will be planning to do so in a couple of weeks hence I needed to post this to get some answers.

Blessings and peace to all of you.

Kind regards,
CatholicGuy
 
Last edited:
I do not think there is ever such a problem as too much confession; however, if you are going so frequently that you feel as if you are Abusing the Sacrament, that’s something else.

I’m not sure how often you’re going but…if you are not making serious amends to your life (which you promise to do in the Act of Contrition) then you are not properly using the sacrament.

Also, if you’re going to confession everyday (it’s not a bad thing in itself) you may be over scrupulous. Soon, everything is a sin and this can be a serious problem in your spiritual life.

Stepped on a worm? That’s a sin. Thought of a girl you like? That’s a sin. This become your mindset and it can ruin your spiritual life and relationship with God.

The problem may be that you are not properly amending your life after you confess and the same distractions and temptations are present in your life. Seek to remove them first. If you are still struggling, then this is something you should earnestly discuss with the priest and I would be surprised if he does not offer serious and helpful advice.

God bless.
 
catholic_guy83 said:
…I am just really struggling with this sin, especially in recent times given my situation. And I do fear that by not confessing this I will miss out on God’s grace which I so desperately need if I am going to really fight this sin during these trying times. I do know the validity of this sacrament and I am also aware not to make this a habit (i.e - making confession as a washing machine for soul and as a result taking God’s grace and mercy for granted…
Click to expand...
By your words here, I think your confessor is on to something. You seem to have a superficial understanding of what you’ve stated above. If you’re confessor thought that your soul was in danger from mortal sin, do you really think he would have given you said advice?
 
Last edited:
I think what your confessor may be trying to say, is that you are regarding confession as a spiritual shower, rather than truly amending your life.
Confession gives us strength (GRACE) to fight future temptation if we are truly repentant and pray vigorously.
Next time you are tempted, tell yourself that you might not get to confession in a timely manner. Thinking this way may change your desire to do whatever the sin is, out of what we used to call “holy fear”.
 
I remember hearing when I was little that the Pope confesses every day. I don’t know if that’s true (or if it was just the Pope at that time who had this habit) but for most of us that would be too much. I’m also sure that even the Pope’s confessor would tell him if he felt it would be better to reflect more and take some time between confessions.

I try to get indulgences for deceased souls when I pray and I also was doing the First Saturdays. Plenary indulgences require a confession every 21 days and First Saturdays need it within 8 days of the Saturday so I time my confessions to meet the requirements. I usually end up going every 1 to 3 weeks and that seems to be somewhere between just right and maybe a little too frequent.
 
Some suggest once a month. At most maybe twice a month. I wouldn’t go without confession for more than three months.
 
Yeah, every 1-2 months is a good period for me personally, but everyone is different. Some don’t worry too much about going every week. You have to see what’s best for you.
 
I go to confession weekly and confess only venial sins. My confessors don’t see signs of scrupulosity in me and have never advised that I confess less frequently.

@catholic_guy83, your situation is obviously different. If I were you I’d listen to my confessor until I had time to discuss it fully and honestly with my spiritual director. At that point I would take his advice and stick with that. This conversation is only a few weeks away so in the meantime,

be at peace.
 
I, myself have the same problem w/ too frequent
confessions and also have been advised by my
priest that it is “unhealthy” to confess every time
confession is available. However, I DO advise
going to mass(daily or weekly Sunday) even
when you cannot receive communion, you are
there is WORSHIP God.
 
Hi all,

Thank you all for your kind and thoughtful comments. I have read through them and I also had some time over the weekend to reflect and discern further. And ironically I got the answer from last Sunday’s reading - loving God with all your heart, strength and mind. Therein has been my issue - I came to realise my relationship with God has not been one of strong deeply rooted love but rather one at a perfunctory level.

You see, I wasn’t being scrupulous with my behaviour, but I was so afraid God would abandon me if I didn’t confess my mortal sins and I was more afraid of losing His favour then losing Him completely. That led me in a way to go on a “confession binge” which resulted in me not really having much time to reflect and be contrite (Ironic considering the prerequisite for confession is a contrite heart).

As a result, I didn’t really amend my ways. It was a real touch and go experience for me at the confessional. And that’s why I struggled. And that’s when it hit me - Do I really love God with all my mind, strength and heart?

So I think the priest was in some ways right - I shouldn’t go too often if I am not repentant and truly sincere in my efforts in restoring my relationship with God. Because when you truly are earnest in seeking to reconcile with God, He does pour his grace (during Sacrament of confession) to strengthen you to overcome those particular sins.

So this is my journey now. At least I know where I am and I am aware of my condition. The restoration work begins. Where sin increases, grace abounds all the more (Rom 5:20).

Afterall wasn’t Our Lord in the restoration business throughout salvation history? 🙂
 
That’s great that the priest through the grace of Jesus was able to realize this issue and give you the right advice to strengthen and deepen your relationship with God.

God bless you.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top