Another Confession Question?

[AussieAnn]

****Hi Folks,

I’m sorry if I seem real ignorant on the matter of Confession but I have another question. I remember reading one some post here that I now can’t find that someone said they confess in this manner,::

I have sinned against chastity or I have sinned against justice? Can someone let me know all of them and a kind of brief explanation aswell or direct me to a website that explains this. Does anyone else here confess like this. Is it a bit of a shortcut type confession? Your help would be appreciated thank u.

You see that it is just that I am returning to the Confessional after a LOOOOOOOOONNNGGGGGG absence and I was wondering if some of my lesser (but numerous) sins could be covered in one go by saying this type of thing. Obviously the more grave matters will be discussed in details. Thanks.

 

[Danuska]

Try and find a good confessor and discuss it all with him.
Personally, I do not get what you are trying to say about sinning against justice, but as I said, it is best to discuss it all with a priest in a confessional . I know it is hard, and you are trying to think of what words to use since we do not wish to discuss very personal things and it is not really pleasant, especially those peirtaining to our intimate life, but try to remember that you are confession to Jesus himslef, and that He already knows what you have done, and you cannot really surprise Him with anything.
Btw, pray for your confessor for the light of the Holy Spirit.

Peace

 

[NPC]

As Danuska said, I think you might be better-off discussing it with a priest. However, to my knowledge the most important sins to confess in detail are mortal sins - they should be confessed one by one. As for ‘lesser’ sins as you refer to them, the terms “sinning against chastity” or “sinning against justice” seem to me to be extremely vague statements even if you are referring merely to venial sins. I think I know the (possible) intended meanings of these statements, but they seem a bit “new-agey” to me - sin is against God not ‘justice’ or ‘chastity’. You may have done something unjust but you confess it because it has offended God. What I mean is that if you feel the need to confess that, for example, you swore countless times then you should say ‘I am sorry for the many times that I swore/cursed (etc.)’ rather than saying ‘I sinned against proper manners’! There’s vague and there’s vague!

 

[SD_Catholic]

****Hi Folks,

I’m sorry if I seem real ignorant on the matter of Confession but I have another question. I remember reading one some post here that I now can’t find that someone said they confess in this manner,::

I have sinned against chastity or I have sinned against justice? Can someone let me know all of them and a kind of brief explanation aswell or direct me to a website that explains this. Does anyone else here confess like this. Is it a bit of a shortcut type confession? Your help would be appreciated thank u.

You see that it is just that I am returning to the Confessional after a LOOOOOOOOONNNGGGGGG absence and I was wondering if some of my lesser (but numerous) sins could be covered in one go by saying this type of thing. Obviously the more grave matters will be discussed in details. Thanks.

I think I understand your concerns… I also let my sins go unconfessed for many years. When I finally decided to get things on track I thought confession would be one of my toughest to get right. I did my best to remember all my sins, but after so many years numbering them was impossible:blush: (like missing mass or the times I let my imagination go with lustful thoughts)… I found this web site that I kind of used for a guide (I’m sure there are others)… I even printed a copy and took it with me.

rc.net/arlington/stelizabeth/guidetoconfession.html

I went about an hour early and prayed in front of the Blessed Sacrament for the knowledge to remember my sins and to have the courage to fully admit them to the best of my ability… Yeah I was in there awhile, but I waited till last so I didn’t make anyone wait on me. I have to say that I’ve felt close to God many times in my life, but the feeling I had when walking out of that confessional was unmatched thus far (overwhelmed would be fitting)… It really felt as if I were floating… like all the weight and burdens of my sins had been lifted from me (which we believe they are).

I would think that if you are bunching them together because of fear of admitting your sins than it is probably not right… if you bunch them together because you can’t remember the exact amount of times or details but still name the sins than I would imagine that would be acceptable (atleast to my priest). like NPC said the mortal sins are the important ones to confess in detail, I would still be in there if I had to name everytime that I had cussed… I pray that you will enjoy the fullness of God’s forgiveness.

SD

 

[puzzleannie]

Hi Folks,

I’m sorry if I seem real ignorant on the matter of Confession but I have another question. I remember reading one some post here that I now can’t find that someone said they confess in this manner,::

I have sinned against chastity or I have sinned against justice? s.

you don’t need to know that, the priest will tell you what virtue you have sinned against, and what virtue to practice to combat your sin. what you need is to state plainly and clearly the one-word name of your sin and the number of times or the frequency with which you committed it.
I fornicated every night for a year
I embezzled 20M from my employer
I lied to the police when I was arrested
for these and all this sins of my past life I am heartily sorry.

search this forum and spirituality, including stickies, there are numerous references to on-line and published examination of conscience, but I suggest you stop wasting time on-line and spend that time to benefit in the confessional

 

[JimG]

Don’t confess categories of sin. Confess individual sins by name.
Stealing, lying, adultery, fornication, gossiping, etc.

 

[mangy_dog]

****Hi Folks,

I’m sorry if I seem real ignorant on the matter of Confession but I have another question. I remember reading one some post here that I now can’t find that someone said they confess in this manner,::

I have sinned against chastity or I have sinned against justice? Can someone let me know all of them and a kind of brief explanation aswell or direct me to a website that explains this. Does anyone else here confess like this. Is it a bit of a shortcut type confession? Your help would be appreciated thank u.

You see that it is just that I am returning to the Confessional after a LOOOOOOOOONNNGGGGGG absence and I was wondering if some of my lesser (but numerous) sins could be covered in one go by saying this type of thing. Obviously the more grave matters will be discussed in details. Thanks.

Hello Ann,

First of all congratulations on returning to the confessional. Jesus is the one who has granted you this grace.

I personally try to go to confession on a weekly basis but, I too had a time in which I spent aproximately 3 years of not going to confession. It was difficult to go after such a long time and I am thankful to the Lord and His Blessed Mother for the grace of attending more regularly.

Remember Ann ( and be prepared), you may use words like, " for these and other sins which I can’t recall, I ask forgiveness". or “father I’ve struggled against impure thoughts” or “I’ve lost my patience with others” or been judgemental towards others" or used foul language" etc etc. whatever abbreviated form of confession you may use to address sins that you remember or don’t remember…be prepared to answer the priest’s questions.

If your priest is like mine - he may stop you and ask, “what do you mean by this or that?” “in what sense do you say that or this thing?”.
My confessor won’t let me get away with short cuts. Sometimes he does but only on certain matters (I don’t know his reasoning).
I had a priest tell me one time, " your sin is terrible and unfair. It is very wrong! don’t do it again!"
I am thankful for that confession and that day and that priest. A ton of bricks was lifted off my soul that day and my life was changed.

Above all be honest with yourself…God is not being fooled and depending on the spiritual gifts of your confessor - sometimes you’re not fooling him either.

By all means, continue to attend confession on a regular basis. You will sanctify your priest while at the same time recieve countless graces from the Lord.

Pax Domini sit semper vobiscum.