Frequent Confession: Its Place in the Spiritual Life: Instructions and Considerations for the Frequent Reception of the Sacrament of Penance

by Benedict Baur

Here is strong, convincing evidence that frequent reception of the Sacrament of Penance is one of the most reliable paths to spiritual growth. Author Benedict Baur explains the purpose of frequent Confession, outlines the essential elements of every good Confession, and shows how frequent Confession can help you conquer sin (including venial sin), imperfections, self-love, and lukewarmness. On the positive side, he details how frequent Confession will improve your prayer life and give you growth in sacramental grace, fear of God, love of Christ, fraternal charity - and much more.

Genres: Catholic, Religion, Spirituality, Faith, Theology, Nonfiction, Christianity

266 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1922

About the author

Benedikt Baur OSB was born as Karl Borromäus Baur and died November 10, 1963, in Beuron. He was a German Benedictine monk and professor of theology. He served as the fifth Archabbot of Beuron Archabbey.

Baur joined the Benedictine community at Beuron in 1897; he made his solemn profession there on October 5, 1898, and was ordained to the priesthood on September 20, 1903. In 1904, he earned his doctorate in theology (Dr. theol.) in Rome. From 1905 to 1913, he taught dogmatic theology and canon law at the Theological College of Beuron. From 1907 to 1910, he also served as the Prefect of Clerics there.[1] From 1931 to 1938, he held a professorship in dogmatic theology at the Pontifical Athenaeum of Sant’Anselmo—the Benedictine order's institute of higher learning in Rome—as well as in Salzburg and Einsiedeln.

In 1938, he was appointed Subprior at Beuron and was subsequently named Abbot by Pope Pius XI.[4] From January 18, 1938, until 1955, he served as the fifth Archabbot of Beuron.[2] His abbatial blessing was conferred on February 24, 1938, by Archbishop Conrad Gröber.

Baur made significant contributions to both Beuron Archabbey and the Beuron Congregation. He was particularly dedicated to the study of liturgy and manuscript research, and was the founder of the *Vetus Latina* Institute. Benedikt Baur was regarded as an opponent of the Nazi regime.

He published numerous works and writings on spiritual themes, which have appeared in several languages.

Reviews

[Steven · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely essential and unrivaled in all spiritual reading. Every Catholic needs to read this several times. I know I do.

[ANNA fayard]

Discipline to lay your head on the heart of Jesus every day, to invite Jesus into the present moment, to die to self - “In the sacrament of Penance we become, according to the words of St. Thomas Aquinas, ‘united with our Lord suffering for our sins.’ When we go to Confession we want to share in the death sentence that our Lord underwent on account of sin; we want to carry out this death sentence on ourselves and have it carried out on us by actual death with Christ” (78)

Divine Artist!!! darkness into light — “It is God himself who labors in us to raise us up to perfect union with him. For this purpose he takes hammer and chisel in hand and sets to work on our souls to make them all pure and beautiful and worthy of himself. We must pass through darkness and trials, both spiritual and temporal, so numerous and so profound ‘that neither does human knowledge suffice for the understanding of them, nor experience for the description of them’ (St. John of the Cross, Ascent of Mount Carmel, Prologue) (133)

Heart speaking to heart - “We can do ourselves no greater injury than to let pass unheeded the inspirations and urgings of grace. They are so frequent that they accompany us, so to speak, step by step through life. They are continually streaming down upon us, like heavenly rays that shed a warm light on our hearts and show us what is good and urgent us on in our spiritual striving. They enlighten our minds and move our wills: at one time to love, at another to self-denial and austerity; at one time reproaching us, at another encouraging us; at one time quietly and gently, at another strongly and intensely; sometimes just once, at other times with continual patient knocking at the door of our heart”(161)

[Erik]

Included in the "Spiritual Reading" section of Fr. John McCloskey's 100-book Catholic Lifetime Reading Plan.

[booklady]

A Christmas gift from my sister ... thanks Patti! It looks great!

[NOD · Rating 5 out of 5]

Encouraging and wonderful insights on the examination of consicence.

[Eric · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good guide to the spiritual life.

[Nathan H · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great read for anyone looking to grow in the spiritual life. Wonderful analysis of the benefits of regular and frequent Confession. This book is a great source of motivation for those who do not like Confession or may have fallen away from the habit of it.

The book does, however, get a little repetitive towards the end, but redeems itself with a strong closing chapter.

[Andrea L · Rating 5 out of 5]

Un libro clásico: la exposición del tema (podría decirse "repetitiva"), la estructura del contenido, el tipo de ejemplos, evidentemente dirigidos al ámbito religioso o incluso parroquial, pero igualmente aplica a todos los cristianos.

Buenas sugerencias para abordar el examen de conciencia y "utilizar" mejor la confesión frecuente. No se trata de ir y ya, al interiorizarla nos preparamos para recibir mejor la gracia de Dios en el Sacramento. Algunos apartados sobre la Pasión y la vida de oración son particularmente inspiradores, como no, si son puntos donde nos jugamos la vida.

Personalmente, me resultó más fácil de leer que otros, pero igual me salté lo que no era necesario para mi caso particular.

[Leslie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Where has this book been for my whole Catholic life? So very useful. The first section deals with the advantages and aim of frequent confession, examination of conscience, some thoughts on spiritual direction and conscience. The second section helps with overcoming deliberate venial sin, sins of frailty, imperfections, self-love, self-righteousness, compunction and more. This is a book to refer to over and over, a good companion on the journey. As someone who hasn't had much advice on the practice of Confession, I treasure this book.

[Ray · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good Lenten read. I appreciate Baur's emphasis on how frequent devotional Confession should be not just something done haphazardly or habitually but rather an opportunity for self-examination leading to self-growth.

[Marianne]

Actually, I haven't received it in the mail yet.

[Ecnav Dragyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

An impressive work. Short, dense chapters about how Confession and its fruits should impact every part of life. Highly recommended.

[Denisele · Rating 3 out of 5]

I picked this book up on retreat. it had several good nuggets. I had to focus to read- it was not a fast/easy read. I expected something a little more practical-this was very theoretical.

[Matthew Purt · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a must read and a must implement!

[Laura Turchetti · Rating 5 out of 5]

Benedict Baur was Abbot of the German Benedictine abbey in Beuron. They were lucky to have him! Great book on the benefits of weekly confession.

[Joyce · Rating 5 out of 5]

The content of this book is very good. In the first half, on the practicalities of Confession, I learned much, particularly about a purpose of amendment, and the three types of venial sin. There was also a chapter on one's relationship with one's confessor and spiritual director. That was enlightening, and certainly helps me understand the purposes and limitations of the Sacrament, and of these relationships.

The second half, with reflections on the impact of frequent Confession on the different facets of the spiritual life, offers excellent material for reflection and meditation.

One note of disappointment: my old Scepter edition contained a number of very obvious and poor typos; unfortunate. The content was still excellent, though.

[Sskous · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! some reviewers like to make much of hte fact that Baur spends some time on the role of this beautiful sacrament in the lives of men and women in religious life, I think he makes it very clear how Confession plays an important role in the life of anyone who is working toward the perfection that Jesus asked of us. How to deal with small, annoying imperfections and failings that may not be truly sinful. It's changed the way I go to Confession. It's changed the way I understand my pesky faults. and it's changed my ability to hope for closer movement to Our Lord. I am so deeply grateful for this book.

[ShepherdsDelight · Rating 5 out of 5]

91/100 (= 5.4/6) ≈ 5 Stars

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Super style. Wonderful tips for the spiritual life. Practical advice for daily improvement - how to advance instead of fall back. Especially by productive battling of faults (concentrated efforts towards particular evil). Excellent treatise on confession (together with Fr. Sullivan's book perhaps -- this one is more practical, the other one more encouraging). The considerations section also super. A great spiritual writer!

[Pablo Galiana]

Breve tratado doctrinal y ascético, en el que se comentan las enseñanzas de la encíclica Mystici Corporis, del Papa Pío XII, sobre el sacramento de la Penitencia. Mueve al examen de conciencia y a valorar mucho la confesión. Básico y muy útil para todos, también para personas con experiencia en la vida interior.

[Mel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good practical advice for those who go to confession frequently. Some of the later chapters, in my opinion, were a little too focused on perfectionism, but on the whole a very useful book.

[Don · Rating 4 out of 5]

Grace Mercy

[Ronald Belchez]

Highly recommended as a source of inspiration to those practicing frequent confession/communion but have many questions in mind..

[Eduardo Da Silva · Rating 5 out of 5]

Um livro de grande espiritualidade, para ajudar na compreensão e vivência da confissão frequente, aliada à comunhão frequente.

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(Review écrite six mois plus tard.)