Another Confession Question

[David123]

I went to confession this afternoon and while I was in the church doing my penance afterwards, I remembered a sin that I had planned on confessing but forgot about when I was in the confessional. I know that since I didn’t intentionally withhold it during my confession, it was forgiven. However, since the priest was still in the “box” and there were no people in line, I slipped back in and told him that I had just been there earlier and that I had forgotten something and wanted to confess it so I wouldn’t have to have it on my mind until next time. So I confessed it and treated it like I was doing a normal confession anticipating that he’d give absolution for it. He told me that all of my sins were forgiven before and told me to go in peace. So I did. Because I treated the 2nd time like my next confession in which I’d be obligated to mention the forgotten sin, I’m wondering if I’m in a state of grace since it was not absolved (when I went back to confess it). I’m not sure what to think, and should I abstain from communion tomorrow just in case? Thanks

 

[LilyM]

It was actually absolved in the first confession - all your remembered and honestly forgotten sins are absolved when the priest pronounces the words. That’s why you didn’t need a second absolution. The idea of mentioning it is more for your own peace of mind, and seeking God’s grace not to commit that sin again in future, than anything else.

You’re good to go for communion

 

[ComputerGeek25]

I think you’re good. I know sometimes I go on autopilot in the box, and walk out and think “did I mention x?” I wasn’t consciously hiding ‘x’ or anything, and probably said it. So, I would be absolved.

 

[yessisan]

I actaully did that 3 weeks ago, I forgot 2 sins, and yesterday I went again to confess and just to make sure I hadn’t been sinning by receiving the Eucharist. I asked the priest if I had done wrong, and he said “no, you were correct, but it’s great you are here to confess them even though they have been forgiven; that shows great sincerity on your part, that you repent, and it shows your love for God”. Don’t worry about it! I hope you did receive the Eucharist! Next time you go you might want to mention to him you felt a bit uncomfortable but don’t worry, it’s ok to forget the sins, if you went with the intention of confessing them and sincerely forgot, then they were absolved even by the fact you forgot them.

 

[Windmill]

What if you confess your sins, and while the priest is pronouncing absolution, you remember something else that you were intending to confess, but because he is finishing up, you stay silent and tell yourself, “I’ll confess that next week.”? Is that the same thing as purposely withholding? Should you abstain from communion and reconfess?

 

[jmcrae]

What if you confess your sins, and while the priest is pronouncing absolution, you remember something else that you were intending to confess, but because he is finishing up, you stay silent and tell yourself, “I’ll confess that next week.”? Is that the same thing as purposely withholding? Should you abstain from communion and reconfess?

Related to that, I am wondering whether one should go back if, say, in the middle of your Confession, you pause for breath. Then the priest starts giving you some advice, and then carries on with the rest of the ritual before you have a chance to finish everything you were going to say. (The priest in question does not speak very good English, and he kind of got on a roll - I was not able to interrupt him - he had already given me the Dismissal before I could say anything, so I just said “Thank you, Father,” and then I went back later in the day to a different priest and redid it.)

 

[LilyM]

What if you confess your sins, and while the priest is pronouncing absolution, you remember something else that you were intending to confess, but because he is finishing up, you stay silent and tell yourself, “I’ll confess that next week.”? Is that the same thing as purposely withholding? Should you abstain from communion and reconfess?

Things like this happen to me all the time, by the way, since I’ve got a bad memory and the priest can mistake my silence while I’m trying to recall somethig for a sign that I’m finished.

If you were intending to confess a mortal sin and didn’t mention it for these sort of reasons, you really should abstain and reconfess. It does make your confession incomplete, and hence probably not valid. If it was a venial sin you’re not obliged to confess those anyway, so it doesn’t matter.

For the future - learn to speak up if in the confessional if you’ve forgotten something or if the priest launches into the absolution early. Even if you have to do so after the absolution.

‘Father, I’ve just remembered I also did such-and-such, just thought I should mention it’. Or ‘excuse me, Father, but I wasn’t quite done’. No harm, no foul. Might also give your priests a gentle reminder not to hurry their penitents along too much.