Frequent confession is the spiritual practice among some Roman Catholics of going to the sacrament of reconciliation often and regularly in order to grow in holiness. It is a practice that has been recommended by Catholic leaders and saints as a powerful means of growing in lovewith God, in humility, and having sorrow for sins, since it is considered a personal encounter with Jesus who is the source of God's grace, help, and forgiveness. A recommended frequency, based on the teachings of the Pope and Catholic Church law, is between once a month and once a week. This practice "was introduced into the Church by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit", according to Pius XII. Confession of everyday faults is "strongly recommended by the Church", according to the Catechism of the Catholic Church 1458. Paul VI said that frequent confession is "of great value". According to the study of Sal Ferigle of Church law and teachings, "whenever possible, frequent confession will ordinarily mean between once a month and once a week." Many Lutheran Churches also encourage going to frequent Holy Absolution, and follow similar teachings as Roman Catholics on frequent confession.
Basis and importance
The Catholic Church teaches that everyone is called to sanctity, since man was created to love and serve God, the ultimate source of man's happiness. For this, God has given the sacraments as God's way of giving divine life to each person. The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches:
Paul VI who presided over the Second Vatican Council taught that frequent confession is "of great value". John Paul II who went to confession weekly, said: In his Apostolic Exhortation, Reconcilatio et Paenitentia, John Paul II also encouraged frequent confession even if only of venial sins:
Advantages of frequent confession
The advantages of frequent confession was discussed by Pius XII. He said that "the pious practice of frequent Confession which was introduced into the Church by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit to be earnestly advocated." Pius XII, who went to confession daily, explained that by frequent confession:
grace is increased in virtue of the sacrament itself.
He then warned those "who make light of or lessen esteem for frequent Confession know what they are doing. What they are doing is alien to the spirit of Christ and disastrous for the Mystical Body of Christ." Benedict Baur's book, Frequent Confession is a classic in explaining the advantages of frequent confession: John Paul II also enumerated these:
we are renewed in fervor,
strengthened in our resolutions, and
supported by divine encouragement
He said those who discourage frequent confession "are lying."
Recommended frequency
According to Rev. Fr. Sal Ferigle, "For those who sincerely wish to do their best to avail themselves of the opportunity of frequent confession in order to grow spiritually, frequent confession will ordinarily be linked to having a fixed confessor. The confessor will be the best qualified person to suggest the frequency suited to the spiritual development and the physical and moral possibilities of the penitent. Within those rather broad limits of flexibility and to seek a general rule of common sense, we can refer to which speaks about 'receiving the Sacrament of Penance frequently, that is twice a month.' Previous legislation which specified regular intervals for confession spoke about weekly confession. One can therefore say in general terms that, whenever possible, frequent confession will ordinarily mean between once a month and once a week."
