“Why do you confess your sins to a mere man instead of confessing directly to God?” In answer to the first question: We Catholics confess our sins to a priest because that's the method of forgiveness that Jesus Himself established during His earthly ministry.
You can confess your sins directly to God. You do not need to confess to a pastor, priest, or spiritual leader to be forgiven.
' Ask His forgiveness with all your heart with an act of contrition, and promise Him, 'Afterward I will go to confession. ' You will return to God's grace immediately. You yourself can draw near, as the catechism teaches us, to God's forgiveness, without having a priest at hand.”
There is great wisdom here. James says, “Confess your sins one to another so that you may be healed” (James 5:16). Confess your sins to God.
James 5:16 - James clearly teaches us that we must “confess our sins to one another,” not just privately to God. James 5:16 must be read in the context of James 5:14-15, which is referring to the healing power (both physical and spiritual) of the priests of the Church.
Many Protestants present a starker challenge: “Why do you confess your sins to a mere man instead of confessing directly to God?” In answer to the first question: We Catholics confess our sins to a priest because that's the method of forgiveness that Jesus Himself established during His earthly ministry.
Answer: Sacramental confession is normatively required for the forgiveness of mortal sins; it is not absolutely required. What this means is that, in extraordinary circumstances, mortal sins can be forgiven outside of sacramental confession.
The Sacrament of Reconciliation is one of the most unique and beautiful aspects of Catholicism. Jesus Christ, in His abundant love and mercy, established the Sacrament of Confession, so that we as sinners can obtain forgiveness for our sins and reconcile with God and the Church.
You confess sin to God through prayer, but you can also pray for the courage to confess to another person, and ask Him to help you see any other things you need to confess (Psalm 139:23-24). Grieve your sin. It is appropriate to mourn your sin and the hurt and separation it has caused (Psalm 51:17; James 4:8-10).
Given the delicacy and greatness of this ministry and the respect due to persons, the Church declares that every priest who hears confessions is bound under very severe penalties to keep absolute secrecy regarding the sins that his penitents have confessed to him.
You don't need to receive Holy Communion when attending Mass, which is why going to confession is not a “strict” requirement for basic attendance. Furthermore, if you are only conscience of venial sins on your soul, you are permitted to receive Holy Communion, even if you don't go to confession.
The Catholic Church encourages followers to confess their sins to a priest at least once a month. But these days, just 2 percent of American Catholics maintain such a routine. Bridget Cusick is a devoted Catholic. She prefers prayer over formal confession.
Any Catholic who has committed a mortal sin cannot receive Holy Communion unless they have been to confession, the Pope has said.
The simple answer is no. While confession is the ordinary way to have your sins forgiven, it is not the only way. The Catechism says: “When it arises from a love by which God is loved above all else, contrition is called "perfect" (contrition of charity).
The Catechism says that “only God forgives sin” (1441). As Catholics, we believe that God does this through the means of a priest, in the person of Christ, in the Confessional. In complete privacy, we state our sins, and are given absolution.
Personal relationship with the Lord is great; no one (who knows anything about Catholicism) denies it. Protestants do, however, emphasize it more in “everyday life” terms, and Catholics would do well to readily agree with that, rather than ever oppose it, since it is our own tradition (deeply understood), too.
Therefore I tell you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven. And whoever says a word against the Son of man will be forgiven; but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come" (Matthew 12:22-32).
A prayer of confession is a way for us to acknowledge and repent from our sins. Through prayers of confession, we come clean with God about our mistakes and need for God's grace, preparing our hearts to be cleansed by Christ's sacrifice and transformed by the Holy Spirit.
After having reached the age of discretion, each member of the faithful is obliged to confess faithfully his or her grave sins at least once a year. This yearly confession is necessitated for performing one's "Easter duty", the reception of Communion at least once during the Easter season.
The Church says that all grave or mortal sins must be confessed as soon as possible (CIC 988).
Catholics do not pray to Mary as if she were God. Prayer to Mary is memory of the great mysteries of our faith (Incarnation, Redemption through Christ in the rosary), praise to God for the wonderful things he has done in and through one of his creatures (Hail Mary) and intercession (second half of the Hail Mary).
Seventy-seven times. That's how many times the Bible tells us we should forgive someone. Matthew 18: 21-22 21 Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?” 22 Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.
There is no simple answer to whether applause is appropriate in the liturgy. It really depends on who the Catholics are and why they might be clapping! Applause is never called for per se in the rubrics that govern our rites.
It is very clear: If you cannot find a priest to confess to, speak directly with God, your father, and tell him the truth. Say, 'Lord, I did this, this, this. Forgive me,' and ask for pardon with all your heart.”