Expert: Fr. Michael - 12/19/2009

Question
Father, I'm well aware that it is not a requirement to confess our venial sins in the confessional. However, every ounce of reading material I've ever come across, always seems to cross references the teachings and writings of our Saints, to make the point that is a pious practice to go to confession at least once a week, and confess even our slightest venial sins. Do you advise this too?  

Answer
Such recommendations were made for religious and and for particularly pious laypeople, such as members of traditional Third Orders.  Given the nature of secular life now, statistics indicate that the vast majority of "Catholics" have difficulty confessing even once a year.  For the
average person, a monthly or bimonthly confession should be sufficient, from a practical perspective, unless that person is dealing with a persistent mortal sin.

Also, the availability of Confession is often less these days.  (I am talking here about the real, traditional Sacrament of Penance, not the fabricated "Reconciliation" used at New Order sites.)  Often from a perspective of progress in one's spiritual life, it is often better to have a more thorough confession less frequently, but one in which the priest can take several minutes to give actual spiritual advice.  This will usually have to be arranged in advance, but it is worth the planning.  The usual rushed, unprepared, formulaic confession does not allow for the full fruits of the Sacrament.