how often do you guys go to confess?? usually my parents and i go once in a while but im not sure if we should be every week or every month or even every year
Someone correct me if im wrong, I believe the church teaches an absolute minimum of once a year, but keep in mind you should not recieve Eucharist in a state of mortal sin. So if you are aware of a grave sin that you committed, with the knowledge that the act was sinful, then go as needed, up to weekly. Otherwise, if youre just wondering how long you should let venial sins pile up before confessing them, I would recommend every 1-2 months, but thats just my opinion.
And the Eucharist! The Eucharist forgives sins. But Confession is also valuable as God gives us healing and graces through it as well, (and hopefully counsel from the priest) so confessing venial sins is still good.
It’s not strictly required to confess venial sins, but it is a fruitful practice. Venial sin doesn’t kill charity in the soul as mortal does, but still damages the soul and weakens charity. It’s healthy to have a regular practice of examining the conscience and sacramental Confession. We receive healing and grace through the sacrament, so that we can grow in holiness. The Saints generally recommend frequent Confession, even though many of them were vastly holier than most of us.
And preferably right before Easter if only going once per year.
Mortal sins should be confessed sooner than later. Otherwise, the person is not disposed and in a state of grace to receive our Lord in the sacrament of the Eucharist.
Yes absolute bare minimum is during advent or lent. And Divine Mercy Sunday tho not required is especially recommended for the extra Graces on that day! To say the Divine Mercy novena which starts on Good Friday, go to confession within 20 days of Divine Mercy Sunday, and receive communion on that Sunday fulfills requirements for plenary indulgence and reconciliation, forgiveness of sins! Most churches also celebrate Divine Mercy services that afternoon- after the regular masses.
You should go as needed. Most priests I know suggest once a month, but if you have a sin you need to confess before that, there is nothing stopping you. At the same time, if you are going too often out of scrupulosity, that could be unhealthy. If you are unsure it'd be good to ask a priest about this.
I go about every two weeks. It’s not that I have mortal sins weighing on me every two weeks but I am very much an out of sight out of mind kind of person so two weeks let’s me keep a shorter list when I do go.
Personal discernment definitely comes in. A lot of people only go when they commit a mortal sin, which is totally fine but the sacrament of penance/confession actually confers grace whenever received to cleanse and strengthen us against venial sin as well which is often a lot harder to root out of our lives. Pope Francis recommended for people to go as frequently as weekly but as long as you are examining your conscience and praying daily then I’m sure you can find the sweet spot for yourself. Sometimes you might increase it for a period other times it might decrease in frequency.
I look on confession as an incredible gift and do not treat as an obligation but rather it is an opportunity to grow in my practice of our faith. Even if I am able to avoid mortal sins I know that there are many venial sins that unless I actively work on cutting them out have an adverse effect on the people in my life. Things like being quick to anger, being impatient, procrastination. By keeping things like this as an active part of trying to be a better man through the examination of conscience as an element of confession is incredibly helpful.
I go every two to three weeks.
I know people who go once a week, those who go once a month, or every other. For me it depends on when I last mortally sinned. Sometimes it could be twice in a month, sometimes it can be a few months. I do try to go at least once every easter season and maybe advent as well. Some of the people I know who go once a week don't need to, some do.
Right now around twice a year, once before Christmas, and on Divine Mercy Sunday. Usually these are times where my church has penance services, with more priests available for confession than usual.
Ideally, every week. The Church mandates confession once a year, but it is better to keep your soul in a pure state rather than just have it purified once a year.
The mandate for once a year is tied to the mandate to receive Communion once a year in the Easter season. These mandates date to a time when most Catholics received Communion only once a year. Now that most practicing Catholics received Communion every week, confession should be much more frequent than once a year. So I agree with you, most people should probably confess weekly.
I try to go every week even if I don't commit a mortal sin so I can "tidy up" if you will. For me not going to confession was like not taking a shower but every day not showered is a year, metaphorically.
i go when i feel myself start to “crack” which typically means im not keeping track of what needs to be confessed anymore and just have a general feeling of doing worse lately. usually 3-4 weeks. i used to go every week and my spiritual life was never better. i wish i would go back to that.
We are required to confess any grave sins once a year, since we are supposed to receive communion once during Easter Season. But that is the bare, bare minimum.
Perhaps it is my diocese that says twice. I believe that is within the power of the Ordinary, the particular Bishop of my/his diocese. Lent perhaps, but what devout Catholic would object to Advent?
Maybe although I have never heard of this- could it just be advice rather than an "obligation"?
I am just citing what is in Canon law. Of course, most priests would say once or twice a year is not enough
Strictly speaking, the Church only requires Confession yearly for grave sin (of course grave sins should be confessed asap and we cannot receive Eucharist except in a state of grace). Monthly or weekly is an excellent spiritual practice, however.
Once a month is what is required by the Church as bare minimum, yes. But the blessed mother has asked for monthly confession.
You meant “yearly” as a bare minimum, not “monthly”.
That being said, I agree, although we have to be careful to not make it sound as if monthly is strictly required. I think it’s very difficult to really develop virtue if a person only meets the minimum, but a person who fulfills the minimum is still fulfilling what the Church asks. We can’t make it seem as if a person is actually required or expected to more, even if we can’t and should encourage more.
Someone correct me if im wrong, I believe the church teaches an absolute minimum of once a year, but keep in mind you should not recieve Eucharist in a state of mortal sin. So if you are aware of a grave sin that you committed, with the knowledge that the act was sinful, then go as needed, up to weekly. Otherwise, if youre just wondering how long you should let venial sins pile up before confessing them, I would recommend every 1-2 months, but thats just my opinion.
Pretty sure venial sins are absolved when we say the prayer at the beginning of Mass. Same when we say an Our Father.
Yes, but confessing them still provides graces also.
And the Eucharist! The Eucharist forgives sins. But Confession is also valuable as God gives us healing and graces through it as well, (and hopefully counsel from the priest) so confessing venial sins is still good.
It’s not strictly required to confess venial sins, but it is a fruitful practice. Venial sin doesn’t kill charity in the soul as mortal does, but still damages the soul and weakens charity. It’s healthy to have a regular practice of examining the conscience and sacramental Confession. We receive healing and grace through the sacrament, so that we can grow in holiness. The Saints generally recommend frequent Confession, even though many of them were vastly holier than most of us.
Yes. OCIA students at my parish are advised every 1-3 months unless individual circumstances warrant something else.
Yes this is very good advice.
It’s one a year if you’re in mortal sin. I don’t think you’d be considered in full communion anymore if you don’t.
And preferably right before Easter if only going once per year.
Mortal sins should be confessed sooner than later. Otherwise, the person is not disposed and in a state of grace to receive our Lord in the sacrament of the Eucharist.
I try to go every other week is that ok
Yes absolute bare minimum is during advent or lent. And Divine Mercy Sunday tho not required is especially recommended for the extra Graces on that day! To say the Divine Mercy novena which starts on Good Friday, go to confession within 20 days of Divine Mercy Sunday, and receive communion on that Sunday fulfills requirements for plenary indulgence and reconciliation, forgiveness of sins! Most churches also celebrate Divine Mercy services that afternoon- after the regular masses.
You should go as needed. Most priests I know suggest once a month, but if you have a sin you need to confess before that, there is nothing stopping you. At the same time, if you are going too often out of scrupulosity, that could be unhealthy. If you are unsure it'd be good to ask a priest about this.
thank you!! i think ill go a month or every two months to confess
Monthly.
Our Lady of Fatima recommended once a month so that’s what I shoot for
This is what I do too. Sadly I almost always mess up ☹️
The important part is that you keep trying.
Yep! Keep getting up and trying
ohh okay thanks!!! ill try to go to the next confession my church hosts _^
I started going monthly, when I started the First Saturday Devotion. It has made me so grateful.
I go about every two weeks. It’s not that I have mortal sins weighing on me every two weeks but I am very much an out of sight out of mind kind of person so two weeks let’s me keep a shorter list when I do go.
Personal discernment definitely comes in. A lot of people only go when they commit a mortal sin, which is totally fine but the sacrament of penance/confession actually confers grace whenever received to cleanse and strengthen us against venial sin as well which is often a lot harder to root out of our lives. Pope Francis recommended for people to go as frequently as weekly but as long as you are examining your conscience and praying daily then I’m sure you can find the sweet spot for yourself. Sometimes you might increase it for a period other times it might decrease in frequency.
God bless
I look on confession as an incredible gift and do not treat as an obligation but rather it is an opportunity to grow in my practice of our faith. Even if I am able to avoid mortal sins I know that there are many venial sins that unless I actively work on cutting them out have an adverse effect on the people in my life. Things like being quick to anger, being impatient, procrastination. By keeping things like this as an active part of trying to be a better man through the examination of conscience as an element of confession is incredibly helpful. I go every two to three weeks.
I go as often as I need to to be able to recieve the Eucharist every time I'm at Mass.
At least during lent before the Easter season. During Lent and Advent Monthly
Weekly
Once a year is mandatory, once a month is my priest's recommendation. I try to go every 2-3 weeks.
Every week because I am a sinner
Monthly, to honor Our Lady's Fatima request to keep the First 5 Saturdays. I do them every month of the year.
I go every couple weeks usually. I try not to let it go more than a couple months.
oh yikes ive gone probably a few years without confession
I shoot for monthly or obv whenever in definite need
I know people who go once a week, those who go once a month, or every other. For me it depends on when I last mortally sinned. Sometimes it could be twice in a month, sometimes it can be a few months. I do try to go at least once every easter season and maybe advent as well. Some of the people I know who go once a week don't need to, some do.
Right now around twice a year, once before Christmas, and on Divine Mercy Sunday. Usually these are times where my church has penance services, with more priests available for confession than usual.
Ideally, every week. The Church mandates confession once a year, but it is better to keep your soul in a pure state rather than just have it purified once a year.
The mandate for once a year is tied to the mandate to receive Communion once a year in the Easter season. These mandates date to a time when most Catholics received Communion only once a year. Now that most practicing Catholics received Communion every week, confession should be much more frequent than once a year. So I agree with you, most people should probably confess weekly.
I grew up going weekly, I still go at least every other week. You wouldn't go without showering for an extended period of time.
I try to go every week even if I don't commit a mortal sin so I can "tidy up" if you will. For me not going to confession was like not taking a shower but every day not showered is a year, metaphorically.
It’s a personal thing. I go around once a month? But I used to go like twice a year, before Easter and Christmas.
I’m a recent revert currently knee deep battling my life long porn addiction, so I go every week.
At my last confession my priest recommended I try to come every 3 months
St. Pope John Paul II went daily
I go during lent.
I go when I’ve committed something grave. Tends to (unfortunately) be a couple times a year
I go before each time I receive Communion, unless it has been less than a week since my last confession.
Twice a week is good I feel like
Do you think this may be a scrupulosity issue?
Maybe, but I am picky with my sins and I think I could die in a car accident any time so I want to be in a state of grace all the time
i go when i feel myself start to “crack” which typically means im not keeping track of what needs to be confessed anymore and just have a general feeling of doing worse lately. usually 3-4 weeks. i used to go every week and my spiritual life was never better. i wish i would go back to that.
If you are trying to overcome a persistent sinful act, go more often! Grace abounds.
First Saturday of every month
I think the Church says once a year. But I try once a Month like Our Lady of Fatima suggested
Twice a year is mandatory, more often is a much better idea. I try to do so monthly.
We are required to confess any grave sins once a year, since we are supposed to receive communion once during Easter Season. But that is the bare, bare minimum.
Perhaps it is my diocese that says twice. I believe that is within the power of the Ordinary, the particular Bishop of my/his diocese. Lent perhaps, but what devout Catholic would object to Advent?
Maybe although I have never heard of this- could it just be advice rather than an "obligation"? I am just citing what is in Canon law. Of course, most priests would say once or twice a year is not enough
Once a month is what’s expected. I try to go every 2 weeks.
Strictly speaking, the Church only requires Confession yearly for grave sin (of course grave sins should be confessed asap and we cannot receive Eucharist except in a state of grace). Monthly or weekly is an excellent spiritual practice, however.
Once a year is what is required by the Church as bare minimum, yes. But the blessed mother has asked for monthly confession.
You meant “yearly” as a bare minimum, not “monthly”.
That being said, I agree, although we have to be careful to not make it sound as if monthly is strictly required. I think it’s very difficult to really develop virtue if a person only meets the minimum, but a person who fulfills the minimum is still fulfilling what the Church asks. We can’t make it seem as if a person is actually required or expected to more, even if we can’t and should encourage more.
Sorry, yes, I meant once a year. I’ll edit.