How often does a Catholic need to go to confession?

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   unico hijoposted 13 years ago

   How often does a Catholic need to go to confession?
   
   It is very easy to commit sin as we go about our daily lives. In receiving Christ through the Holy Communion, a Catholic needs to be void of sin. If followed to the letter, this means that an ordinary Catholic needs to visit the Confession box fairly quite often.

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2. 59

   cceerppposted 13 years ago

   We have to go to confession anytime we have committed mortal sin. There is no excuse for that at all.
   
   About confessing to priests, let’s see what the Bible says or at least suggests.
   
   “Therefore confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man has great power in its effects.” (James 5:16 RSV)
   
   Also, After Christ Jesus death and resurrection, He came to His disciplines to tell them a secret I guess? Let’s see…
   
   “On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being shut where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I send you.” And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.”” (John 20:19-23 RSV)

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3. 61

   Dave Mathewsposted 13 years ago

   If it were up to the church, a priest would probably tell you at least once a week.
   
   Everytime one goes to Mass one prays a prayer of contrition where they confess infront of the whole congregation that they have sinned and asks forgiveness, this in itself is confession.
   
   I have been a Chistian raised in the Catholic church for over 60 years and I read my Holy Bible constantly trying to learn as much as possible about God and Christianity.
   
   Jesus [does not say that] "No man can come unto the Father but through me and my priest buddies."
   
   He says: "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life: No man can come unto the Father but by me."
   
   In other words if you are going to confess your sins, confess them to Jesus, for Jesus alone is the only one who can forgive sin.
   
   Keep in mind that It is Jesus Christ and Him alone who cleanses you of your sin, nobody else, not even the priest.

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4. 0

   DrDeanCrosbyposted 13 years ago

   Confession of our sins is an absolutely essential spiritual activity.In fact our salvation depends on it.
   
   Luke 13:3
   
   I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish.
   
   Protestants believe that they can confess their sins through private prayer but no matter how you do it,"keep on keeping on"!

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5. 60

   ShevaStreetposted 13 years ago

   You do not need to go to confession at all, because a man cannot forgive your sins, only the Creator whose name is YHWH can.

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      Perry the Catposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      This is not the Catholic perspective.  Please reread the question.

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6. 68

   Matt_Anselmiposted 13 years ago

   It is encouraged for Catholics to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation (aka Confession) at least once a year at minimum. Whenever a Catholic feels that he or she is in grave sin Confession is recommended.

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7. 80

   ii3rittlesposted 13 years ago

   We all sin. We all do things we shouldn't but don't you think God should be the one your confessing your sins too? Not some man you call "father" in church? I have two fathers and two fathers only. The father that had sex with my mom, and the father that is responsible for my existence (GOD).

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8. 52

   cagedskyposted 13 years ago

   I always know when i need to go to the Sacrament of Reconciliation (Confession). It's when I've realized how awful my sin was and I long to be absolved of it. It's not about how often we go. God isn't about maths, numbers.
   When I go to Reconciliation, I find it almost impossible to talk to anyone on the way in. I can't make small talk etc. the longing to know I'm forgiven by my God and King takes me over completely. The need to go to Confession wells up from your heart.
   The peace afterwards is indescribable. And the strength and courage you receive that helps you to see and fight whatever that temptation was from then on.

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9. 60

   zduckmanposted 12 years ago

   It depends if you are a priest that has acted inappropriately with children....then no amount of confession will do. For most of us it is better to try and live in a way that brings harm to noone. Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. If you live by this creed....you will find that you have nothing to confess.

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10. 59

    Vegas Eliasposted 11 years ago

    Confession does not help. One has to repent and sin no more. That is what Jesus recommends. Jesus asks us to confess our sins to each other and to God and ask for forgiveness. Jesus did not ask sinners to tell him what sins they have committed. He just told them that their sins are forgiven and warned them not to sin any more.

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       Perry the Catposted 11 years agoin reply to this

       This question is for Catholics.  You may have opinions on the subject, but you don't know the Catholic perspective.  This is out of your area of expertise

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11. 59

    Perry the Catposted 11 years ago

    Ideally Catholics should go to confession before they take communion.  They are supposed to be "clean of spirit" before they take Christ into their bodies.  That usually meant that you go to confession on Saturday and to mass on Sunday.  In between you were supposed to be as sin free as possible. 
    
    Interestingly, you were also supposed to be gastrically free as well and not eat an hour before you received communion.  Sort of like swimming.

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12. 69

    connorjposted 11 years ago

    My, my there is significant misunderstanding here. Please with all due respect, it is our Catholic belief that when a Catholic confesses to a Priest; he is actually confessing to Christ. This is simply our belief. For that matter, when ever a Priest is giving a Sacrament; he has essentially become Christ (in a temporary manner). I am not asking you to believe this. Believe what you must; however, remember this is the Catholic belief.

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