The Sacrament of Reconciliation provides grace and restores friendship with God and one another after sin. This experience of Gods love, mercy, and forgiveness is crucial in the life of a Catholic and should be received regularly.
Although the Precepts of the Church state that Catholics should confess mortal sin in the Sacrament of Reconciliation a minimum of once per year as part of the Easter duty, more frequent Confession is often recommended.
A regular examination of conscience allows Catholics to recognize any mortal sin they have committed and can help determine when or how often they should go to Confession.
If a Catholic is aware that they have committed a mortal sin, they should receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation as soon as possible since they have lost the Sanctifying Grace necessary for their salvation.
Catholics should not receive Holy Communion in a state of mortal sin. They should wait until they have confessed their sins and received absolution.
Although it is not necessary to confess venial sins to a priest in the Sacrament of Reconciliation, there are many benefits and the practice should not be discouraged.
The Sacrament of Reconciliation is not only an opportunity to receive God’s forgiveness and to become whole again, it also a way to receive God’s grace to grow in virtue.
Frequent and reverent confession motivated by a desire for intimacy and friendship with God is a healthy spiritual practice which gives Catholics the grace to grow in holiness and deepen their faith.
Confession should be frequent enough to remember any sins since the last confession and often enough to provide the necessary increase in grace to overcome habitual sin.
Experiencing the grace and mercy of God:
A good practice is to confess more often:
If we say, “We are without sin,” we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we acknowledge our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive our sins and cleanse us from every wrongdoing. If we say, “We have not sinned,” we make Him a liar, and his word is not in us.
1 John 1: 8-10
Receiving grace to grow in virtue:
Go to Confession as much as you need:
According to the Church’s command, “after having attained the age of discretion, each of the faithful is bound by an obligation faithfully to confess serious sins at least once a year.” Anyone who is aware of having committed a mortal sin must not receive Holy Communion, even if he experiences deep contrition, without having first received sacramental absolution, unless he has a grave reason for receiving Communion and there is no possibility of going to confession. Children must go to the sacrament of Penance before receiving Holy Communion for the first time.
Catechism of the Catholic Church 1457
Regularly encountering Jesus as Savior:
Frequent Confession has many benefits:
A source of spiritual advice and guidance:
As you well know, Venerable Brethren, it is true that venial sins may be expiated in many ways which are to be highly commended. But to ensure more rapid progress day by day in the path of virtue, We will that the pious practice of frequent confession, which was introduced into the Church by the inspiration of the Holy spirit, should be earnestly advocated. By it genuine self-knowledge is increased, Christian humility grows, bad habits are corrected, spiritual neglect and tepidity are resisted, the conscience is purified, the will strengthened, a salutary self-control is attained, and grace is increased in virtue of the Sacrament itself. Let those, therefore, among the younger clergy who make light of or lessen esteem for frequent confession realize that what they are doing is alien to the Spirit of Christ and disastrous for the Mystical Body of our Savior.
Pope Pius XII, Mystici Corporis Christi, 29 June 1943
All sins may be confessed to a priest:
Help for those who are striving to love God:
“Want” to go to Confession, not “have” to:
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