235. The confession of sins

The confession of sins

YOUCAT catechism + Catechism of the Catholic Church Lesson 235

Ave Maria  series

235  Can I make a confession even if I have not committed any serious sin?

Confession is a great gift of healing that brings about closer union with the Lord, even if, strictly speaking, you do not have to go to confession.  [1458]

These Vietnamese Trappist Cistercian monks know the meaning of “holy joy.”  Having lived the full two-year Trappist Cistercian novitiate myself, I understand the peace reflected on the faces of the above religious men.  In the Trappist novitiate we went to confession weekly to root out every imperfection. Now, 60 years later, I seek the confessional once month. …..235

In Taize, at Catholic conferences, at World Youth Day celebrations-everywhere, you see young people being reconciled with God.  Christians who take seriously their decision to follow Jesus seek the joy that comes from a radical new beginning with God.  Even the saints went to confession regularly, if possible.  They needed it in order to grow in humility and charity, so as to allow themselves to be touched by God’s healing light even in the inmost recesses of their souls.

We put off our conversion again and again until death, but who says that we will still have the time and strength for it then?”  St. John Vianney (1786-1859)

[1458]

The confession of sins

1458  Without being strictly necessary, confession of everyday faults (venial sins) is nevertheless strongly recommended by the Church.(compare Council of Trent: Denzinger-Schönmetzer 1680; Codex Iuris Canonici, can. 988 § 2.)⁵⁹   Indeed the regular confession of our venial sins helps us form our conscience, fight against evil tendencies, let ourselves be healed by Christ and progress in the life of the Spirit. By receiving more frequently through this sacrament the gift of the Father's mercy, we are spurred to be merciful as he is merciful(compare Luke 6:36.)⁶⁰–Catechism of the Catholic Church, Second Edition

Whoever confesses his sins . . . is already working with God. God indicts your sins; if you also indict them, you are joined with God. Man and sinner are, so to speak, two realities: when you hear "man" - this is what God has made; when you hear "sinner" - this is what man himself has made. Destroy what you have made, so that God may save what he has made. . . . When you begin to abhor what you have made, it is then that your good works are beginning, since you are accusing yourself of your evil works. The beginning of good works is the confession of evil works. You do the truth and come to the light.(St. Augustine, In Jo. ev. 12,13:Patrologia Latina 35,1491.)⁶¹–CCC 

Church Trappist  Vietnamese