Last week we looked at the Second Precept of the Church as enumerated in the Catechism of the Catholic Church: You shall confess your sins at least once a year. Consequently, to consider oneself a “practicing Catholic,” one should go to Confession at least once a year. In fact, this is considered the bare minimum, and most people should go more often. In my personal opinion, I think that every Catholic should go at least twice a year; once in Advent and again in Lent. However, those who are serious about advancing in the spiritual life will make use of Confession even more frequently, because of the tremendous graces this sacrament brings.

For many years now, the Sacrament of Confession has undergone a crisis in our Church. It is a crisis of fear, prompted by a lack of understanding. Sometimes, the confusion has been on the part of the clergy more than the laity. I have often heard people say they felt many priests in recent years discouraged the use of the Sacrament. This is shocking, but in my experience, it is also true. Today, it is common to meet Catholics who come to Mass every Sunday and Holy Day, yet have not been to Confession in twenty years.

However, the situation is improving. I am happy to be able to say that the Sacrament of Penance is undergoing a resurrection in the Church. People are returning to Confession, and are relearning how to properly make use of this most valuable sacrament. This is happening because of the revolution that Pope John Paul led for a quarter of a century in order to restore the Catholic Faith after a painful period of neglect. Our late, great, Holy Father constantly encouraged the practice of Confession, and led by example, hearing Confessions of the faithful even as Pope.