Kent & Nepean Streets
Parish Office - 281 Nepean St.
Ottawa ON K1R 5G2
CANADA
Both parishioners and many others from across our diocese seek out Saint Patrick’s as a “sanctuary of mercy”, most clearly in the ministry of confession which is so readily available here. I want to offer some pastoral guidance for those coming to confession. What can be said in the context of a web message is limited but it is important to offer some counsel.
Firstly, what is the focus of confession? After an examination of conscience, the penitent should indicate to the confessor the time since their last confession and then in concise fashion, identify by name and number of occurrences, the sins that they have committed since their last confession. One should not confess sins which have already been confessed and for which absolution has been given. If a person wishes to do a “general confession of life”, the proper context would be during a retreat of some days in a retreat centre or religious house. As confession should be concise, it is not necessary – nor helpful unless asked by the confessor – to give your history of the sin, nor examples.
Secondly, what should be the frequency of regular confession? It is my considered view that one should not be going to confession more than weekly. The Church requires that we go to confession at least once a year. The traditional practice has been monthly confession. As for the frequent confessions of the saints, the example that is helpful from modern times is that of Pope St. John Paul II. He went to confession weekly. Going to confession more than once per week creates a number of concerns: 1° the danger of scrupulosity is evident which leads us to look only at ourselves, and at our faults, and not rely on God’s mercy; 2° too frequent confession begins to put the emphasis on what “I” do and my practices – a sort of semi-pelagianism – and not on the mercy of God which is the focus of the sacrament; 3° if we are too busy preparing to go to confession and going to confession, we run the danger of not taking the time to see the mercy of God working in our lives. What should we do, then, if we are aware of serious sin before our next weekly confession? This may be the situation where one should attend mass, receiving the graces that come from praying with the faith community, and fast from receiving the host. It would be best to celebrate the weekly confession so as to receive communion on Sunday (or the Saturday Vigil Mass of Sunday) which is the primary feast day of Catholics. What if I am in danger of death and am aware of unforgiven serious sin? Call a priest. If a priest is not available, then make a perfect act of contrition relying on God’s mercy. The Church through the Sacrament of Confession is at the service of God’s mercy. God’s mercy is vaster than the Church whose mission is to make known, celebrate and be a minister of His Mercy.
Finally, it is not necessary to confess venial (minor) sins, although it is a good practice to confess them in a monthly confession. With respect to our minor sins, we can rely on the penitential rite at the beginning of mass where we ask God for pardon and peace in order to be properly disposed for the celebration of the sacred mysteries.
- Fr. Kevin
Note: In the area of deliberate sexual sins listed below, all are mortal sins if there is sufficient reflection and full consent of the will. "No fornicators, idolaters, or adulterers, no sodomites,... will inherit the kingdom of God." (1 Cor 6:9-10) "Anyone who looks lustfully at a woman has already committed adultery with her in his thoughts." (Mt 5:28)
O most merciful God! Prostrate at your feet, I implore your forgiveness. I sincerely desire to leave all my evil ways and to confess my sins with all sincerity to you and to your priest. I am a sinner, have mercy on me, O Lord. Give me a lively faith and a firm hope in the Passion of my Redeemer. Give me, for your mercy´s sake a sorrow for having offended so good a God. Mary, my mother, refuge of sinners, pray for me that I may make a good confession. Amen.