Already forgiven sin still weighing heavily on me

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frenchbeatle

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I’m in the habit of going to Confession once a month. Whenever I go, I always end my list of sins with “…and for all other sins that I have forgotten, I am truly sorry.” The priest then gives a penance and absolution.

I’m aware that ALL sins are forgiven in Confession, even those we don’t name. But recently, something I did 3 years ago has been really bugging me. It was not a mortal sin. It’s my understanding that this sin has been forgiven through absolution, but it’s bugging me in such a way that I feel like I should confess it, venial though it may be.

I’m wondering if I should go to Confession for this or if I should just realize that God has already forgiven me.
 
We are of course obliged to confess all mortal sins in number and kind (and circumstance that changes the sin --like it was your brother you murdered).

And if we forget one…we obliged to confess it in the next confession. It can be forgiven indirectly but still needs to be confessed.

(Hiding mortal sins of course is a different story …that brings new sin and invalidates things…requiring onto confess again all the mortal sins)

But venial sins need not be confessed …though it is recommended at to confess at least some. They can be forgiven in many ways. (of course even in confession one needs to be sorry for them etc)

And even if one can judge that they have likly been forgiven either indirectly in confession or other times…one can still confess them.

In fact…even for the venial ones that one intends to be confessing…one need not wait til confession to be contrite and forgiven…and then still confess them 🙂

(mortal sins of course one needs the grace of perfect contrition…intending to get to confession right away…but still seek to make such an act…without delay)
 
So go ahead and confess it 🙂

There are graces etc…in the Sacrament to assist you here…
 
Ask the priest the next time you go to Confession. He’ll answer your concern and point you in to proper direction.
 
Dear Frenchbeatle, Stop beating yourself up. You are doing a great job going to confession at least once a month. More people should do this. I think you must be a very conscientious person, very methodical. That being said, you must trust that God has already forgiven you. Faith in God should allay your fears. Stop worrying. You are a great example of a truly good person!:harp:

:blessyou:
 
frenchbeatle said:
I’m in the habit of going to Confession once a month. Whenever I go, I always end my list of sins with “…and for all other sins that I have forgotten, I am truly sorry.” The priest then gives a penance and absolution.

I’m aware that ALL sins are forgiven in Confession, even those we don’t name. But recently, something I did 3 years ago has been really bugging me. It was not a mortal sin. It’s my understanding that this sin has been forgiven through absolution, but it’s bugging me in such a way that I feel like I should confess it, venial though it may be.

I’m wondering if I should go to Confession for this or if I should just realize that God has already forgiven me.
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This is where the effect of the sin transcends the actual sin committed. If you murdered someone and you then felt sorry for it, confessed, and are forgiven, that doesn’t bring the dead one back to life. I know thats a bit of an extreme example, but in every sin its that way. The burden of the sin stays with us long after the sin has been repented of and forgiven.

You do not need to confess again unless you committed the sin again. You need to work on understanding how to completely heal yourself form sin.
 
ConstantineTG said:
This is where the effect of the sin transcends the actual sin committed. If you murdered someone and you then felt sorry for it, confessed, and are forgiven, that doesn’t bring the dead one back to life. I know thats a bit of an extreme example, but in every sin its that way. The burden of the sin stays with us long after the sin has been repented of and forgiven.

You do not need to confess again unless you committed the sin again. You need to work on understanding how to completely heal yourself from sin.
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Could you please explain this more deeply, or point to some resource? I definitely have continued guilt and remorse for most of my life although I have confessed and totally repented and don’t live that way any more…but my choices then have built my life today, so how can I ever totally leave them behind?
 
ConstantineTG said:
This is where the effect of the sin transcends the actual sin committed. If you murdered someone and you then felt sorry for it, confessed, and are forgiven, that doesn’t bring the dead one back to life. I know thats a bit of an extreme example, but in every sin its that way. The burden of the sin stays with us long after the sin has been repented of and forgiven.

You do not need to confess again unless you committed the sin again. You need to work on understanding how to completely heal yourself form sin.
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He did not confess this sin directly. Even though he says it was venial…it can be very good to directly confess it…especially since it is bothering him.

Also remember just because a sin is forgiven…does not mean the effects (temporal punishment) are all removed…the direct confession can help with that …as can some penance perhaps…(even indulgences)

So some burden of the sin…of the effects rather…can remain longer…and the direct confession of the venial sin in the Sacrament can be helpful there…

vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/__P4F.HTM

vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/__P4G.HTM

Now of course one can have undue concern…it is important to be able to repent etc and renew ones baptismal promises…and go forward…following Christ.

(of course one should avoid scrupulosity …those who suffer such should get help from a regular confessor and think more about Jesus and his love for them and about virtue then their scruples…

and of course one should avoid any undue concern…but in his case…I would say just confess it…)
 
TheRealJuliane said:
Could you please explain this more deeply, or point to some resource? I definitely have continued guilt and remorse for most of my life although I have confessed and totally repented and don’t live that way any more…but my choices then have built my life today, so how can I ever totally leave them behind?
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You will need spiritual guidance from someone who’s qualified to give one. Usually a priest, but some deacons and even religious brothers and sisters are also capable of being spiritual parents. A lot of prayer, fasting and meditation on your life and actions is needed. But all must be focused, so get spiritual guidance.
 
Thank you everyone for your replies. I did end up going to Confession yesterday. I had some other minor sins to confess anyway. I do feel much better now, not as bothered as I did yesterday.

And BTW, I’m a she. 😉
 

Hi,
Holy Communion removes venial sins. This is one of the reasons to receive often.​

“Behold the Lamb of God, all who eat, all who drink, shall liive.” Hymn
 
What I have done: “I am sorry for all my past sins, but especially for X.” If it is bothering you, it may have been brought to the forefront of your conscience for a reason, You can confess past sins that have been absolved, people do it all the time. And you felt better confessing, so you now know the benefit of confessing it. Your conscience is no longer burdened by this, plus you received the graces of the sacrament.
 
Perhaps you lack faith that your sin has been forgiven. This lack of faith is itself a sin. I would confess this situation from the priest and pray for mercy and faith. We are all weak creatures which is why we have the sacraments to strengthen us.

I would also spend time in prayer and fasting. Fasting is one of the most disgracefully neglected disciplines in modern Catholic life. But fasting is equal with prayer and alms-giving in opening the floodgates of heaven. These three disciplines used as a preparation for reception of the sacraments greatly deepens their spiritual benefits for us.

Prayer, fasting and alms-giving also requires us as a direct consequence to give up other material, pleasurable pursuits of the flesh which are roadblocks to grace.
This is particularly true with the Sacrament of Penance because contrition of the penitent is a very important element of the sacrament. So as fasting humbles us and deepens our contrition and sorrow, it also brings even greater mercy and grace through the reception of the Sacrament of Penance.

I might also say that the modern idea of penance is laughable. I know the clergy mean well, but the ridiculous ease of penance is not doing the faithful any favours. In the early church penance was extremely hard. In some cases, the penitent were denied access to the sacrament of the Eucharist for years; especially for apostasy. Hard penances enforce upon the faithful the seriousness of their sin. Having performed their penance in grief further emphasises to the penitent that there sins have been forgiven. Now we cannot ask the priest to impose a harsher penance, but we can voluntarily choose to perform extra deeds of penance which can also go toward indulgences for ourselves and for the suffering souls in purgatory.
 
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