It depends on what you mean by frequent. Once a month is a reasonable timeframe. It was recommended to me by my priest and I see that as a suggestion in many devotional books. I do know several people who go once a week. More often than that is probably not too common among us ordinary people.
Being holy also involves how you live your daily life…putting your faith into practice, living the virtues, being your brother’s keeper. Remember, when we receive the Eucharist, we are receiving Christ — and what do we do with Christ in our soul? We bring Him to the world. Love your neighbor! Think “Mother Theresa”. If Mother Theresa’s example is too much to relate to, then think “Saint Therese of Lisieux” and her “little way.”
The once a month figure seems somewhat arbitrary. Who are “us ordinary people”? Why is it that someone who wishes to go weekly or bi-weekly should follow a priest’s advice when he suggests monthly, but if he suggests less frequently than that, one should find another confessor?
DominicVobiscum;5460414:
Looks like there is no consensus in here on what “frequent confession” is. I am just a little sensitive to this issue in that I was once told by a confessor that bi-weekly was too often. Honestly, that kind of ticked me off.
I would say do what is comfortable.
As for striving for holiness, pick a saint to model after.
I am merely sharing what was recommended to me and what I have often read. It is because I see the once a month recommendation so often that I thought a priest who suggested that was still too often might be nt giving the best advice. However, you are right to say that if this is her regular confessor and he suggests every 2 months or some other timeframe, than she should obey.
I think this is why priests often recommend once per month. To go more frequently could lead to a feeling of holier-than-thou and could also lead to scrupulosity. My recommendation is to go when you feel the need, and if your confessor recommends an interval, follow his direction.I came across this thread and I must say I am confused
I am getting an impression that there are members of the Church who are perceived as better than everyone else just because they frequent confessionals more often.
And as far as I thought, even the saints didn’t consider themselves holy because that would be a sin of pride.
I thought we were all sinners, equal in God’s eyes. Am I mistaken??
I did not say that. I believe that one should go to confession frequently, whether that means bi-weekly or even weekly. If a priest discourages this, then one should probably go to another confessor, if possible. If not, then continue to go to that priest and make the best of it. I find it sad when a priest discourages the path to sanctity through more frequent confession. I find that this goes hand-in-hand with parishes that only offer confession times for one hour per week. The more confession hours that are offered, the more people will come. Even a one-priest parish should make confession times an absolute priority.
I completely agree. It seems that meeting with the roofing contractor, say, is a better thing to delegate to a layman, then not being available in the confessional.
Ohh okay I understand this now. Thank you & God bless
But are you Mr/Miss Holiness in person? The Royal Holiest? See my post no.18.
This is very true. We struggle with mortal sin and major character faults–gossiping, greed, etc. They are like big clods of dirt on the floor. The Saints have cleaned up that and now see dust and small grains of sand–however, they also say that their floors are just as dirty because the floor isn’t swept entirely clean! We tend to mop up a spill and say “great, clean floor!” even though the spot is still sticky when we walk on it!
