And to think that frequent confession was at times discouraged by well-meaning, but misguided individuals, including some clergy, who have forgotten the beauty of this particular sacrament.
...Pope Pius XII in Mystici Corporis (#88) urged frequent confession of venial sins “to ensure more rapid progress day by day in the path of virtue.”Read Bishop's Finn's article in it entirety here
According to the Pope, some of its benefits are these: Genuine self-knowledge is increased; Humility grows; Bad habits are corrected; Spiritual neglect and tepidity are resisted; The conscience is purified; The will strengthened; A helpful self-control is attained; and Grace is increased in virtue of the Sacrament itself.
I have found personally that frequent confession – I try to go every week – helps me to try harder to be a better and more holy bishop.
H/T to Father Z
3 comments:
When I read this on Father Z's blog, too, I was really struck by that list of benefits.
Frequent confession is a blessing indeed, I am sad that it isn't practiced more.
Charlotte, it is one of my favorite sacraments because of the benefits but especially because it completely wipes away our sins if we are repentant.
Mimi, is it a sacrament in the Russian Orthodox church too? Sorry for my ignorance.
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