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, Christianity, Theology, Nonfiction, Faith

266 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1922

About the author

Rev. Fr. Dom Benedict Baur, OSB

Benedikt Baur OSB (* 9. Dezember 1877 in Mengen als Karl Borromäus Baur; † 10. November 1963 in Beuron) war ein deutscher Benediktiner und Theologieprofessor. Er war 5. Erzabt der Erzabtei Beuron.

Baur trat 1897 der Ordensgemeinschaft der Benediktiner in Beuron bei, legte am 5. Oktober 1898 dort Profess ab und empfing die Priesterweihe am 20. September 1903. 1904 wurde er in Rom zum Dr. theol. promoviert. Von 1905 bis 1913 lehrte er Dogmatik und Kirchenrecht an der Theologischen Hochschule Beuron. Von 1907 bis 1910 war er dort auch Klerikerpräfekt.[1] Von 1931 bis 1938 war er Professor für Dogmatik an der römischen Ordenshochschule, dem Päpstlichen Athenaeum Sant’Anselmo sowie in Salzburg und Einsiedeln.

1938 wurde er zum Subprior in Beuron bestellt und durch Papst Pius XI. 1938 zum Abt ernannt.[4] Vom 18. Januar 1938 bis 1955 war er fünfter Erzabt von Beuron.[2] Die Abtsbenediktion fand am 24. Februar 1938 durch Erzbischof Conrad Gröber statt.

Baur erwarb sich große Verdienste um die Erzabtei Beuron und die Beuroner Kongregation. Er engagierte sich vor allem für die Liturgie und die Handschriftenforschung, und war Gründer des Vetus-Latina-Instituts. Benedikt Baur galt als Gegner des NS-Regimes.

Er veröffentlichte zahlreiche Werke und Schriften zu geistlichen Themen, die in mehreren Sprachen erschienen sind.

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.

[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.

[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.

[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.)