why do catholics go to confession
By Fr. My entire family is Catholic. While Catholics are only required to go to Confession when they are aware that they have committed a mortal sin, the Church urges the faithful to take advantage of the sacrament often. Ian Ker Fr. Three things are required of a penitent in order to receive the sacrament worthily: While these are the minimum requirements, here are steps to making a better confession. Benefits of doing this the Catholic way First, the Catholic is seeking forgiveness the way Christ intended it to be sought. Whereas Confession stresses the action of the believer in the sacrament, Reconciliation stresses the action of God, who uses the sacrament to reconcile us to Himself by restoring sanctifying grace in our souls. Photo Credit: Josh Applegate. The sacrament of reconciliation was instituted to enable the forgiveness of sins committed after Baptism, so for those already located within the Body of Christ, and to make it possible for them to receive Holy Communion worthily. And by doing so, we make it even easier to sin some more. Keep in mind many priests have heard thousands of confessions over the years. He has written about Catholicism for outlets including Humanitas and Catholic Answers Magazine. However, the early Church fathers are clear that through the Sacrament of Confession – sometimes called Penance or Reconciliation – our fractured relationship with God is able to be restored. It says in the Bible that the only way to the Father is through the Son (Jesus Christ). Does the Catholic Church Still Believe in Purgatory? The Lord does want us to come to him when we fall into sin. Yet in most parishes, the lines for the confessionals He quoted 1 Tm 2:5 from the Bible to explain that Christ is the one true mediator between God and man. The newspaper, published weekly, provides a lively mix of news, analysis and informed commentary about the Church and social issues as they affect Ireland and the wider-world. Print . Common Questions About Going To Confession. We are once more made one with God. Catholics go to confession to confess their sins and ask for forgiveness, normally receiving penance from the priest. This is especially the case when it comes to committing mortal sins, which cuts our relationship with God. This is why Pope John Paull II said in 2002, “…the Church has insistently reiterated that ‘all the faithful who have reached the age of discretion are bound faithfully to confess their mortal sins at least once a year’”. Box 397 Osmond, NE 68765. As baptised Christians, we have direct access to God through prayer, and have the ability to repent for any of our wrongdoings – especially venial sins. General Absolution helps with those who might be receiving while in a … It also tells us that God gave men the authority on Earth to forgive sins. 1 decade ago. And when he has said this, he breathed on them and said to them, ‘Receive the holy Spirit. (See The Precepts of the Church for more details.) However, there is no specific requirement that confession take place within a certain distance of a … Learn Religions, Aug. 25, 2020, learnreligions.com/the-sacrament-of-confession-542139. If you know Part I, you can skip to Part II. Therefore, we go to confession because it is a sacrament given to us by Christ, and it has always been a practice of the Church. If someone is not Catholic (thus they do not have recourse to the Sacrament), then they can be forgiven, with perfect contrition and confession of their sins to God. For one thing, that’s how the Lord designed the sacrament. I don't want this in my life anymore! I believe that my forgiveness is determined by God, not by the church. "During Lent, many parishes make a special effort to encourage Catholics to celebrate the Sacrament of Penance, also known as Reconciliation or, more popularly, Confession. What does it mean? Don’t we all desire to escape humbling experiences? Unsubscribe. A remote confession would undermine this idea. Confession was essential to Catholic faith and a badge of Catholic identity. I just don't agree with telling your sins to a priest. Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained.’”. That is why the Sacrament of Confession is sometimes called the Sacrament of Reconciliation. A headline in the Catholic-sponsored Our Sunday Visitor answers, “If you can’t go to confession… Lv 7. Catholics believe that all of the sacraments were instituted by Jesus Christ himself. But my biggest question is about confession. Therefore, we go to confession because it is a sacrament given to us by Christ, and it has always been a practice of the Church. Why do I need to go through a ‘middle man’?” This may come as a surprise to some, but the Church teaches that when you go to Confession, you are speaking directly to Jesus. Scott P. Richert is senior content network manager of Our Sunday Visitor. It also carried with it the promise of personal renewal. While Catholics are only required to go to Confession when they are aware that they have committed a mortal sin, the Church urges the faithful to take advantage of the sacrament often. Confession is a Sacrament Which Gives Us Grace The Catholic Church teaches that a sacrament is an outward sign, instituted by Christ, to give grace. During Confession, the priest acts as both the sign and instrument of God’s merciful love for the sinner, and is used by God to administer and communicate absolution. Richert, Scott P. (2020, August 25). We are all born in original sin, meaning the status quo of even the cutest baby on earth before baptism has natural goodness but no supernatural goodness. Subscribe Learn Religions. Favourite answer . And non-Catholics sometimes ask to go to Confession. The sacrament, by its very nature, confers graces that help us to live a Christian life, which is why the Church requires us to receive it at least once per year. In John 20, we read of Christ appearing to the disciples on Easter Sunday. Need Help With Your Marriage? Help With Questions On Parenting. Form action While the number of people practicing Confession has diminished significantly over the last few decades, it’s important to remember how vital it is in bringing vitality to the spiritual life. Do Catholics not believe this? So what should Roman Catholics do with their unconfessed sin? Breathing on them, he said: “Receive the Holy Spirit. 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