Frequency of Confession

Dearly Beloved,

This must be said: Frequent and sincere Sacramental Confession is essential to our spiritual life and growth. With the exception of those who enter the heavenly kingdom as infants, there is no salvation without Confession. For this reason, the development of a strong and productive Confessional life must be of primary concern when we embark on the spiritual life. There is, of course, much to be said about the practice of Confession; Here we speak only of the appropriate frequency of Confession. Moreover, many different practices regarding Confession have existed during the life of the Church. This suggestion is not meant as a judgment on those pieties.

If we wish to become strong, we must exercise regularly. If we wish to master a musical instrument, or an area of study, we must study regularly. Regular practice and study is essential to any serious endeavor. Since this is the case, it is hardly surprising that, if we truly desire to enter into a life of spiritual growth - and we are able to attend Divine Liturgy and approach the Holy Chalice regularly - we should begin by making sincere and thoughtful Confessions once a month, and as soon as possible when we become aware of any serious sin. If we are able to attend Divine Liturgy and receive the Holy Eucharist only periodically, we should confess before each time we approach the Chalice.

Let us make both habit and the calendar our friends in this regard. We should pick a weekend, say the first or second weekend of the month, and plan to make our Confession that weekend, at such time as our Confessor indicates. Then, if for some reason we cannot go on that weekend, we simply will go the following weekend, returning to our planned weekend the following month.

It may be that our priest is not able to hear our Confession with this regularity - some parishes are quite large and this is not possible. In that case we should discuss the matter with our priest, asking if perhaps there is another priest in the area who might be able to hear our Confession.

At first it will be hard for us to make good and sincere Confessions. We will have to force ourselves (see Matthew 11:12). Others may try to discourage us. Gradually, God will give grace, and we will realize that Confession is a wonderful, wonderful gift of God.

Clergy should encourage frequent Confession, carefully instructing both new converts and all the faithful. Periodic discussion of how to prepare for Confession is helpful in making penitents feel more comfortable revealing their sins. Also, clergy should carefully build their own skill as Confessors. A starting point in this regard is Metropolitan Anthony Khrapovitsky's book Confession: A series of lectures on the Mysery of Repentance. There are many other good sources on this topic.

May God grant us Wisdom!