Able to use this in Confession?

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In a recent thread not so long ago I read that people were using notes they had written on paper as part of giving their confession to the priest, and there was much debate about whether it was allowed. Some said it was and other said they were told not use notes or have their confession written on paper but use their minds and hearts, by the priests, other priest reminded the penitent to burn their paper they used in confession.

Can I use my paper to help with my confession? I am not good at remembering what I am supposed to confess sometimes.

Anything that will be of Help is appreciated:shrug:
 
I never even thought about this. Is there a book like the CCC that spells this all out?
 
CatholiCommit said:
In a recent thread not so long ago I read that people were using notes they had written on paper as part of giving their confession to the priest, and there was much debate about whether it was allowed. Some said it was and other said they were told not use notes or have their confession written on paper but use their minds and hearts, by the priests, other priest reminded the penitent to burn their paper they used in confession.

Can I use my paper to help with my confession? I am not good at remembering what I am supposed to confess sometimes.

Anything that will be of Help is appreciated:shrug:
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There’s nothing prohibiting you from writing down your sins.

I don’t think it’s a good idea because
  1. There’s always the possibility that someone else might read it
  2. I don’t think it’s very healthy spiritually to walk away from confession carrying a list of sins that have been forgiven. There’s always the temptation to keep that list and dwell-on what God has forgotten.
Having said that, one should always follow the advice of his own priest-confessor. If he says not to write them down, then you should not do it. If he says you should (and I can only imagine that in some extreme situation) then you should.

Yes, if you do write them down be certain to burn the paper immediately afterwards. You never know what might happen.
 
I used notes the last time I went to confession. (It had been a while, and I had some big things to confess, and…honestly…I was so nervous, I thought I would get in there and totally blank out. And I did!! I was so happy I had the notes!!)

Mind you, they were one-word reminders, and most of them only would have made sense to me.

I think it’s nice to be able to leave confession, and then destroy the list. POOF! 😃
 
I’ve never understood why it is so encouraged to burn the notes. Why not simply make sure there is nothing to highlight whose list it was and throw it in the bin?

This lack of understanding is partly influenced by having smoke detectors in every building here - and it is just weird to start lighting up pieces of paper outside (not to mention dangerous).
 
I use notes all the time for my confessions. I normally go about once a month and I do a complete examinatoin of conscience beforehand. I will admit, like a lot of people, I do have a tendency to get a bit nervous when I enter the confessional so writing down my sins on a piece of paper helps me remember them as I don’t want to forget any sins. After I leave the church, I always shred the paper, sort of like a final act of the forgiveness process. I’ve even asked some priests about this practice and have told there is nothing wrong with it, especially if it helps you to remember them when you go.

Mark
 
I know I have read that some priest are specific about not using notes, but the priests at my parish have not said whether or not we are able to use them or not, and I don’t want to assume anything. Maybe I should as the priest before confession if it is okay.

I have always been a nervous person ever since I could remember, and confession is no different, I try to put my mind at ease however it does not work until after I have received absolution.

This must be how God keeps me on my toes:shrug:
 
There is, to my knowledge, no hard and fast rule in Canon Law either way.
  • I have gone in without written notes;
  • I have brought along an examination of conscience so I could keep my finger on the stuff I did not want to forget;
  • I have taken my palmpilot in with a list of sins (after an especially long period away from the sacrament) and read them.
I have done this face-to-face and behind the screen and have never had a problem. I like the advice to trust your confessor and do as he suggests (and remember, if Father asks you to put the list away and you truly just forget a sin on the list you are still forgiven).
 
In Bavaria it used to be so that people always wrote their sins, great or small, on a piece of paper in order not to forget this when confessing.
 
Marcus_T said:
I use notes all the time for my confessions. I normally go about once a month and I do a complete examinatoin of conscience beforehand. I will admit, like a lot of people, I do have a tendency to get a bit nervous when I enter the confessional so writing down my sins on a piece of paper helps me remember them as I don’t want to forget any sins. After I leave the church, I always shred the paper, sort of like a final act of the forgiveness process. I’ve even asked some priests about this practice and have told there is nothing wrong with it, especially if it helps you to remember them when you go.

Mark
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Ditto Ditto Ditto. What he said. (Maybe its something we Virginians do. 😉 )
 
Rachel_J said:
I’ve never understood why it is so encouraged to burn the notes. Why not simply make sure there is nothing to highlight whose list it was and throw it in the bin?

This lack of understanding is partly influenced by having smoke detectors in every building here - and it is just weird to start lighting up pieces of paper outside (not to mention dangerous).
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I guess you could always hold the piece of paper under water in order to smear the ink and maybe even soggy the paper!
 
Thank you to those who have answered in response to my post, as I mentioned earlier I am a nervous person. It occurred to me recently that whenever I go to confession I always get the same priest, never the other, and I thought maybe it was because the priest I always get during confession knows a lot about me from going in there and chatting with him about some of the things that I am going through and getting spiritual guidance and counsel.

Almost in a way I feel like he is my Spiritual Advisor as well, I don’t have a problem with it. Taking the list with me was the best thing because I got elaborate more on what I sins I committed and having an appointment sometimes is much better then scheduled confession, I even got some counsel and the priest did not say anything about me having a list. So now I know the way I did it was okay, I just wanted to make sure whatever was on that list I had to confess it. I feel so much better and now can take part in the Eucharist again. It is amazing the power of God and what he can do.
 
I sometimes use a list - I use a code where I write down only a letter or two to stand for each sin so I doubt anyone would understand it if they did find it. Since I prefer to confess behind a screen, and usually use a small piece of paper/small writing and no unfolding or rustling is involved, I’ve never had it commented on.

Burning the paper (or my favourite, tearing it up into tiny little confetti bits) is just a small ritual symbolising that those sins are behind me, and with God’s grace will not recur.
 
Disposal of the list . . .

I actually think my sins are probably pretty universal and, if someone found my list, they may find it a good place to start their own examination of conscience! (Of course, I also make sure I haven’t made the list on personalized stationery with my name and phone number on it . . . 😉 )
 
IrishAm said:
Disposal of the list . . .

I actually think my sins are probably pretty universal and, if someone found my list, they may find it a good place to start their own examination of conscience! (Of course, I also make sure I haven’t made the list on personalized stationery with my name and phone number on it . . . 😉 )
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My thoughts as well. Sometimes I am tempted to save it for next time, too.
 
Epistemes said:
I guess you could always hold the piece of paper under water in order to smear the ink and maybe even soggy the paper!
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My confusion wasn’t on other options, but why such extreme measures are necessary.

Why not just throw it in the bin?
 
acadian said:
My thoughts as well. Sometimes I am tempted to save it for next time, too.
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Aaaah. That’s the potential problem. “tempted to save it” In other words, keeping a list of things that God has forgiven and forgotten.
Better not to do it, and if it’s done, better to destroy it immediately (without violating the fire code)

Not an absolute, and not true for everyone, but overall better not to do it.
 
Epistemes said:
I guess you could always hold the piece of paper under water in order to smear the ink and maybe even soggy the paper!
Click to expand...
Or you could eat it. As long as it’s not within an hour of Communion.

I write in code. But I always write a list. I’m too forgetful otherwise, and I would spend too much time trying to remember them. I can’t imagine a rule against it.

One of the greatest blessings I’ve ever watched is my teenagers getting ready for Confession. They find a good examination of conscience on the web, and write down everything so they make a sincere confession and don’t forget anything.

It makes all their teenager “attitude” bearable, when I see that when the rubber meets the road, they are sincere and actually do know what sin is and want forgiveness.
 
Using a list helps me to remember my sins. I actually make up a new list after every confession and write my sins down as they occur. I always store the list in a safe place and write “in code” just in case someone finds it:blush: I also make it a point to destroy the list immediately after Confession. This helps to serve as a reminder that once I receive absolution I’m starting with a clean slate!

God Bless,
Gary
 
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