Another confession question

[CatholicGeek1]

I went to confession the other day, and while I had examined my conscience and thought that I knew exactly what I needed to confess, I kind of froze in the confessional. I got through the first 3 things that I needed to confess (they were the “big” ones) and then I literally and honestly could not remember what else it was that I needed to confess. In fact it has been 3 days now and I still do not remember. I remember that there was something else that I wanted to confess, but I do not remember what it was. I told the priest that I knew there was something else to confess but could not remember it. He went ahead and absolved me. Has this happened to anyone else? Do I need to keep racking my brain to try and remember so I can confess it later, or is it forgiven and I should just move on?

 

[Bookcat]

One is only obliged to confess mortal sins (in number and kind and circumstance that changes the kind if any- like it was a Church you burned down out of hatred of God).

One is not obliged to confess venial sins. Even if they were not the smallest venial sins.

They can be forgiven in other ways (including in a general way in confession).

What if one forgets a mortal sin?

Jimmy Akin (Senior Apologist of Catholic Answers):

jimmyakin.com/2006/09/a_reader_writes_1.html

 

[babochka]

I went to confession the other day, and while I had examined my conscience and thought that I knew exactly what I needed to confess, I kind of froze in the confessional. I got through the first 3 things that I needed to confess (they were the “big” ones) and then I literally and honestly could not remember what else it was that I needed to confess. In fact it has been 3 days now and I still do not remember. I remember that there was something else that I wanted to confess, but I do not remember what it was. I told the priest that I knew there was something else to confess but could not remember it. He went ahead and absolved me. Has this happened to anyone else? Do I need to keep racking my brain to try and remember so I can confess it later, or is it forgiven and I should just move on?

Move on. If it was serious matter or a chronic problem, it will likely come to mind again and you can confess it when it does. Meanwhile, your sins have been forgiven - all of them.

 

[AKDee]

This has happened to me. Not to worry, your confession is valid as is. If you do recall it, you should confess it in your next confession, but if not you’re fine.

I honestly have such a bad memory that I take a written list in with me. My priest said it was unusual but not unheard of and just cautioned me not to forget the list or drop it somewhere.

 

[anon98328916]

I went to confession the other day, and while I had examined my conscience and thought that I knew exactly what I needed to confess, I kind of froze in the confessional. I got through the first 3 things that I needed to confess (they were the “big” ones) and then I literally and honestly could not remember what else it was that I needed to confess. In fact it has been 3 days now and I still do not remember. I remember that there was something else that I wanted to confess, but I do not remember what it was. I told the priest that I knew there was something else to confess but could not remember it. He went ahead and absolved me. Has this happened to anyone else? Do I need to keep racking my brain to try and remember so I can confess it later, or is it forgiven and I should just move on?

I understand what you mean, I to would tend to forget things I wanted to confess but isn’t that why we say “for these and all the other sins that I cannot remember I am truly sorry”. I have even blanket while I was saying my act of contrition and I couldn’t finish it which did annoy me but God understands and knows we can be nervous and it can be hard to remember everything. God knows all our sins and He knows all our thoughts and expecially knows when we are trying our best.

 

[pianistclare]

When I was a child we were taught to say at the conclusion of our list of sins:

*For these and all the sins of my past life, I am sorry. *

After that, I never worried. I knew I had been absolved.

 

[Bookcat]

One is only obliged to confess mortal sins (in number and kind and circumstance that changes the kind if any- like it was a Church you burned down out of hatred of God).

One is not obliged to confess venial sins. Even if they were not the smallest venial sins.

They can be forgiven in other ways (including in a general way in confession).

What if one forgets a mortal sin?

Jimmy Akin (Senior Apologist of Catholic Answers):

jimmyakin.com/2006/09/a_reader_writes_1.html

Brief excerpt from the Jimmy Akin link:

“You are forgiven if you meant to confess all your mortal sins and just forgot one. Having been forgiven of the one you forgot, you are still obligated to confess it the next time you go to confession.”

(I would add that some readers can have scruples - so they would discuss the matter with their regular confessor for they can start wanting to confess things they do no need to or fear unreasonably or exaggerate their examinations etc etc- they need a regular confessor to direct them for they can be in a rather different boat than others - BC)

 

[ffg]

When I was a child we were taught to say at the conclusion of our list of sins:

*For these and all the sins of my past life, I am sorry. *

After that, I never worried. I knew I had been absolved.

Wow does that bring back memories!

I haven’t done that in years, but I remember it being there in the early years.

To the OP, I don’t think you need to worry, what is not said unintentionally is cleaned and cleared from the slate.

But if it bugs you, next time you go you can mention you are bothered by not remembering something, it wouldn’t hurt.

Take care,

Mike

 

[ffg]

This has happened to me. Not to worry, your confession is valid as is. If you do recall it, you should confess it in your next confession, but if not you’re fine.

I honestly have such a bad memory that I take a written list in with me. My priest said it was unusual but not unheard of and just cautioned me not to forget the list or drop it somewhere.

Just heard a talk from a priest who does the same (makes a list), he also likes to take the lists that people bring and rip them up in front of the person as confession ends, it tends to be a real eye opener for the folks that the list is no longer there, on the soul or on the paper.

 

[AKDee]

Just heard a talk from a priest who does the same (makes a list), he also likes to take the lists that people bring and rip them up in front of the person as confession ends, it tends to be a real eye opener for the folks that the list is no longer there, on the soul or on the paper.

I burn mine when I get home- kind of a mix of privacy and also symbolic of those sins being forgiven and gone.

 

[Don_Ruggero]

You had the intention to confess whatever it was you cannot now remember. You forgot what it was. You have tried to remember but can’t. You were forgiven. Simply let go of it.

 

[brad90956]

Your confession was good and valid. If you honestly forgot the other sin you were going to confess (and it was venial), it is forgiven. If it was mortal, it was still forgiven but you need to tell your confessor at your next confession.

I usually write down my sins during my examination and take it with me to confession.

And like another poster said, I always say, “For these and for any sins I may have forgotten, I am truly sorry”.

 

[CatholicGeek1]

Thank you everyone for your replies! It is greatly appreciated!