Venial Sins and Confession

[JoeFreedom]

Hi, this may sound like a silly question, but I truly, I don’t know and I’m wondering.

What is the purpose of confession if only venial sins are being confessed if when we take the Eucharist, all venial sins are forgiven?

Thanks.

 

[Mary_Ellen]

The Church recommends bringing venial sins to the Sacrament of Reconciliation:

Can. 988 §2. It is recommended to the Christian faithful that they also confess venial sins.

CCC 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:……

1493 One who desires to obtain reconciliation with God and with the Church, must confess to a priest all the unconfessed grave sins he remembers after having carefully examined his conscience. The confession of venial faults, without being necessary in itself, is nevertheless strongly recommended by the Church.

I go to Confession almost every week and hardly ever have mortal sins to confess. I’ve been doing this for years and find the following benefits:

1. The practice of regularly and thoroughly examining my conscience in preparation for the sacrament helps to highlight those faults which I most need to work on. Sins that come up more frequently represent major faults where I’ve come to know that I really need God’s help to overcome.
2. The act of confessing venial sins to a human representative of Christ - the priest - helps me to be accountable for what I have done or failed to do and to be accountable for my commitment to change my ways.
3. I often receive brief but valuable and practical advice from my confessor(s) about how to change.
4. Most importantly I receive the sacramental graces of this particular sacrament. These graces strengthen me, strengthen my resolve and intention to sin no more.

Facing my sins while facing my priest(s) I have changed in significant ways over the years. The more I know about myself the more I know I have sins, faults, and failings. Nevertheless I have grown spiritually and have overcome certain sins almost completely because of this practice. I do not think this growth would have come about without the Sacrament of Confession/Penance/Reconciliation.

 

[Roseeurekacross]

Confession is a sacrament available to us. It brings us closer to God. Help s us stay on that narrow prickly rocky path home.

Also how do we really know what’s mortal or venial.

 

[Vico]

Confession is a sacrament available to us. It brings us closer to God. Help s us stay on that narrow prickly rocky path home.

Also how do we really know what’s mortal or venial.

Learn what is grave sin. Then examine the conscience often so identify what is mortal:

Catechism of the Catholic Church

1857 For a sin to be mortal, three conditions must together be met: "Mortal sin is sin whose object is grave matter and which is also committed with full knowledge and deliberate consent."131

 

[Roseeurekacross]

Learn what is grave sin. Then examine the conscience often so identify what is mortal:

Catechism of the Catholic Church

1857 For a sin to be mortal, three conditions must together be met: "Mortal sin is sin whose object is grave matter and which is also committed with full knowledge and deliberate consent."131

I believe, the determination of mortal sin vs venial sin, should be one left in the confessional , in consultation with the priest.

 

[Herculees]

Receiving the sacrament of confession/reconciliation whether or not we have any mortal sins makes us stronger and over time helps us overcome our sinfulness.

 

[Vico]

I believe, the determination of mortal sin vs venial sin, should be one left in the confessional , in consultation with the priest.

That is acceptable, but not required, in addition to the prior examination of conscience:

Before celebrating the Sacrament of Penance, one should prepare themselves with an examination of conscience. An examination of conscience is a “prayerful self-reflection on our words and deeds in the light of the Gospel to determine how we may have sinned against God."

 

[Roseeurekacross]

That is acceptable, but not required, in addition to the prior examination of conscience:

Before celebrating the Sacrament of Penance, one should prepare themselves with an examination of conscience. An examination of conscience is a “prayerful self-reflection on our words and deeds in the light of the Gospel to determine how we may have sinned against God."

Yep, examining your thoughts, words, actions and inactions is extremely beneficial before Confession.

My belief is we , alone, without spiritual guidance, can be in error as to the classification of our sins.
Threads abound on CAF regarding the gravity and impact of sins.

I can think of so many examples where grave matter may not be associated with full knowledge or deliberate consent.

Jesus does say theives and murderers need our help , when talking to Peter after his clothing was stolen.

 

[paperwight66]

.

Jesus does say theives and murderers need our help , when talking to Peter after his clothing was stolen.

You’ve had me racking my brains, Rose! I thought I knew the Gospels pretty well, but I don’t recall this incident, I have to admit. So put me out of my misery and tell me when was this?

 

[Vico]

Yep, examining your thoughts, words, actions and inactions is extremely beneficial before Confession.

My belief is we , alone, without spiritual guidance, can be in error as to the classification of our sins.
Threads abound on CAF regarding the gravity and impact of sins.

I can think of so many examples where grave matter may not be associated with full knowledge or deliberate consent.

Jesus does say theives and murderers need our help , when talking to Peter after his clothing was stolen.

Certainly one can be in error in the classification of sin, and even the confessor can be. This is because the confessor only knows what you reveal, unless there is a divine revelation.