Getting back to Confession

Tom Monaghan writes that regular monthly Confession is vital to good spiritual health . . .

Thomas Monaghan

Like many things in our lives, unless we’re vigilant, it can be easy to lose focus on some of the things that are central to our health — whether it’s physical, financial or spiritual health. Sometimes we let these simple, yet important things get crowded out because of other demands on our time or maybe because they’re not the latest trend. Of course, as you can tell from the headline, I’m talking about the importance of monthly Confession.

This is so important that countless saints and certainly our last two Holy Fathers have consistently exhorted the faithful to avail themselves of the sacrament of Confession as frequently as possible — but at least once a month. This is why, when we were developing the format for Legatus’ monthly chapter meetings, we put it in the bylaws that each chapter was to have Confession available before every chapter meeting. It’s really that important.

I don’t know how many books I’ve read or talks I’ve heard that say one of the greatest challenges we face as a society — and indeed in the Church — is a loss of the sense of sin. It’s so easy to become desensitized to the actual sins in our own lives. And if we don’t believe we are in sin and need to be forgiven, then no wonder it’s easy for us to think we don’t need to go to Confession regularly.

I find that the very process of getting ready for Confession forces me to get in touch with my own sinfulness and to put myself in a posture of humility before Christ. This in itself opens me up to grace, and then to have the priest absolve my sins through the authority given him by the Church is remarkable. To say this is central to our spiritual health would be an understatement.

When I think of all the blessings of the Catholic Church, the great riches of the sacraments come to mind. Just ask a recent convert why he joined the Church — the sacraments usually loom large in the answer. And of course in addition to receiving the Eucharist, going to Confession is the other sacrament we can receive over and over again — each time receiving grace to live as Christ has called us to. I don’t know about you, but I need all the grace I can get!

So, as Lent is upon us, it’s a great time to get in the habit of monthly Confession.

Thomas Monaghan is Legatus’ founder and chairman. He is a member of Legatus’ Naples Chapter.