Frequent confession


Frequent confession is the spiritual practice among many Christians, especially Catholics, Lutherans and some Anglicans, of going to the confession and absolution often and regularly in order to grow in holiness.
A recommended frequency, based on the teachings of past popes and canon 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 Rev. Salvador M. Ferigle's study of Church law and teachings, "whenever possible, frequent Confession will ordinarily mean between once a month and once a week."
Within the Lutheran Churches, as well as among certain high church Anglicans, frequent Confession and Absolution is encouraged in the same way.

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:
In his Apostolic exhortation, Reconcilatio et Paenitentia, John Paul II also encouraged frequent confession even if only of venial sins:
Lutheran writer Peggy Pedersen wrote with regard to the benefit of frequent confession:

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."