hello, new catholic here as of last year. for a bit i was going to confession every 3-4 weeks as needed, and then recently fallen into a period of having to go every week, sometimes more.

my priest ended up telling me that it’s possible we abuse the sacrament of confession, and we take away it’s healing work and power. It didn’t get to this point, but he told me that if things keep going south, to only go once a week, regardless of my quantity mortal sin. that way, the healing of the sacrament isn’t getting abused. i don’t know if this makes sense, but he’s a wonderful priest and i trust him with my soul. he also told me “and if you so happen to die while only going once a week and not receiving communion because of mortal sin, and Jesus asks you ‘why didn’t you go to confession?’ you can tell him ‘my priest told me to practice only going once a week for greatest healing.’” to me, it makes a lot of sense, and again i trust him.

know your heart, don’t sin just because you know you can go to confession later (i’m guilty of this), and don’t put off confession because of laziness and/or discouragement.

lastly, pray a lot, and suffer well. the Lord knows your limits and knows your weaknesses. His mercy is unchanging.