to Catholics: do all of you really go to confession?

Answer 1

Unfortunately many Catholic Christians don't go to Confession because they think it is not necessary. It is very necessary.

When we sin, we wound our soul. These wounds are something only God can heal.

The Sacrament of Penance (Confession) is the way we allow God (through the hands of his Priest) to heal our our soul.


John Chrysostom said this in 387 A.D.:

"Priests have received a power which God has given neither to angels nor to archangels. It was said to them: ‘Whatsoever you shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatsoever you shall loose, shall be loosed.’ Temporal rulers have indeed the power of binding; but they can only bind the body. Priests, in contrast, can bind with a bond which pertains to the soul itself and transcends the very heavens. Did [God] not give them all the powers of heaven? ‘Whose sins you shall forgive,’ he says, ‘they are forgiven them; whose sins you shall retain, they are retained.’ What greater power is there than this? The Father has given all judgment to the Son. And now I see the Son placing all this power in the hands of men [Matt. 10:40; John 20:21–23]. They are raised to this dignity as if they were already gathered up to heaven" (The Priesthood 3:5 [A.D. 387]).

SOURCE:
http://catholic.com/library/Confession.asp

Answer 2

Yes I do go to sacrament of reconciliation (confession). Until recently, I was like most Catholics and didn't go but once a year. Listening to Relevent Radio made me want to go more often.

Purely from a mental well-being standpoint, it helps to have someone to discuss my weaknesses with. But even more valuable to me is the assurance from another human being that God loves me and forgives me.....even after hearing what sins I have committed.

There is a lot of Theology behind the sacrament I could give you. But somehow, I don't think you are looking for that just now.

Anytime, you allow God to reach out to you through sacraments, prayers, songs, or sunsets, you are always better off because of it.

Stay Blest.
Bob

Answer 3

I go. Catholics must go at least once yearly, their Easter Obligation to remain a good Catholic. I go more frequently, not because I have more to confess but because it can take the weight off your shoulders, I like it and it is one of the Sacraments. Why not use it?

Answer 4

Yes. Otherwise the words of Christ to His priests, "whose sins you forgive, they are forgiven them", would be meaningless. The holy sacrament of reconciliation is a tremendous gift to His people. Unless you have experienced it you cannot even imagine the grace of knowing with complete certainty that your sins are washed away, and that you stand as spiritually pure as the day you were born. Praise God! Manmade denominational religion has lost so much of full Christianity, it is really very sad.