Catholics-how often do you go to confession?

[Anonymous]

Catholic here, just curious

[Anonymous]

I think maybe I went once in college. Before that in high school before confirmation. I'm not a good Catholic.

[Anonymous]

Not enough. I'm an interfaith hospice minister but identify as Catholic and attend mass. But going to confession is tough. I really need to force myself to go. I just got chills thinking about it which to me is a sign. I always feel better after I go. For non-Catholics - at my parish it is nothing like what you see in the movies. We meet with the priest face to face. It's more like spiritual counseling. But it can feel raw to lay out shortcomings. My priest always offers great insights.

[Anonymous]

Never. I think the last time I went I was in high school.

[Anonymous]

OP, I now try to go about 1x a year, but that's because both kids (now just one; other graduated) attended Catholic school which is very connected to the adjacent church, and the priests there are awesome. So when the kids were going through 1st confession (reconciliation) the priest asked us parents why we should expect our kids to do what we don't do?

Anyways he also talked about how confession is different from just praying to God, because it forces you to say stuff out loud to another person; forces first, you to reflect and second forces you to hold yourself accountable in a "safe space." Anyways it sounded good to me, and felt like a challenge so I've done it.

One thing our priest has done that I think has backfired a little is to go on and on about how he's heard everything, nothing is too shocking for him. Ok if you are me, you kind of end up feeling like I've got nothing to say because my stuff feels trivial by comparison to the al. So I had to get over that.

For me, it's more philosophical, like, currently I can't wait for my eldest to go to college....I don't like that I'm doing a little too much of wishing my life away, because I am cognizant that that means I'm not appreciating my present life, and all the blessings that I have (including my eldest who is actually really a good kid, just a snarky teen that gets under my skin constantly)

I'd like to mention a tip--I have a "confession buddy." We go to confession, then our reward is dinner at the local sushi place. (or a glass of wine). I like having a motivator and reward. And meeting a friend makes confession less intense.

[Anonymous]

High school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Never. I think the last time I went I was in high school.

This. I don't need a priest to communicate with God.

[Anonymous]

I hadn't been in years though my kids go regularly in school and even as teenagers now they don't have any issue with it. But I went yesterday. It was nice! Priest was wonderful and though I had nothing "dramatic" to confess, we had a nice chat and he was encouraging. I think I will go more often now.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Never. I think the last time I went I was in high school.

This. I don't need a priest to communicate with God.

It's not about communicating with God. There is accountability in confessing and comfort in being absolved. It is very easy for us to rationalize that what we say and do is not really wrong or hurtful. Examining your consencience and being contrite enough to confess openly is humbling. Plus you get the counsel of a priest and the grace to make changes in your life. Why go it alone if you don't have to?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Never. I think the last time I went I was in high school.

Same here.

Is it even required?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, I now try to go about 1x a year, but that's because both kids (now just one; other graduated) attended Catholic school which is very connected to the adjacent church, and the priests there are awesome. So when the kids were going through 1st confession (reconciliation) the priest asked us parents why we should expect our kids to do what we don't do?

Anyways he also talked about how confession is different from just praying to God, because it forces you to say stuff out loud to another person; forces first, you to reflect and second forces you to hold yourself accountable in a "safe space." Anyways it sounded good to me, and felt like a challenge so I've done it.

One thing our priest has done that I think has backfired a little is to go on and on about how he's heard everything, nothing is too shocking for him. Ok if you are me, you kind of end up feeling like I've got nothing to say because my stuff feels trivial by comparison to the al. So I had to get over that.

For me, it's more philosophical, like, currently I can't wait for my eldest to go to college....I don't like that I'm doing a little too much of wishing my life away, because I am cognizant that that means I'm not appreciating my present life, and all the blessings that I have (including my eldest who is actually really a good kid, just a snarky teen that gets under my skin constantly)

I'd like to mention a tip--I have a "confession buddy." We go to confession, then our reward is dinner at the local sushi place. (or a glass of wine). I like having a motivator and reward. And meeting a friend makes confession less intense.

sounds like you should keep the confession buddy and skip confession

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Never. I think the last time I went I was in high school.

This. I don't need a priest to communicate with God.

No. You don't. And I don't think people should go to confession to check the block. I am the minister who posted above. I view my time with the priest the same way I would time with a therapist. Sure, there is peace in hearing absolution. But I don't need a priest for that. God created me perfectly. When I screw up, he is more than able to help me recover. However the process of examining my conscious and my thoughts and words is powerful. My priest is someone who can provide spiritual guidance and insight. For me, that is the real value of giving confession.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Never. I think the last time I went I was in high school.

This. I don't need a priest to communicate with God.

It's not about communicating with God. There is accountability in confessing and comfort in being absolved. It is very easy for us to rationalize that what we say and do is not really wrong or hurtful. Examining your consencience and being contrite enough to confess openly is humbling. Plus you get the counsel of a priest and the grace to make changes in your life. Why go it alone if you don't have to?

Why pledge to a church when you can confide in a trusted friend or see a shrink?

[Anonymous]

In my 20s before my wedding

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Never. I think the last time I went I was in high school.

Same here.

Is it even required?

Only if you want to go to heaven