Another question on cofession :)

[Bookcat]

From my experience it seems like the priests are more interested in the types of sin you struggle with which may include specific examples of your life. When I had my first confession, the priest seemed to not really be interested as much in actual specific occurences, but if I told him I struggled with Lust or Greed he would talk me through that and provide ways to battle those sins. At some point he stopped asking for “anything else?” and just proceeded to absolve me and gave me my penance, and then I felt that it was enough, LOL.

What I noted above is the the case. One is obliged to “confess” all mortal sins in number and kind.

Canon law…

Can. 988 §1. A member of the Christian faithful is obliged to confess in kind and number all grave sins committed after baptism and not yet remitted directly through the keys of the Church nor acknowledged in individual confession, of which the person has knowledge after diligent examination of conscience.

(grave sins means here mortal sins)

It is important to remember that confession is “confession” not interrogation…

(I will note that those with scruples speak with your confessor…sometimes scruples enter here…)

 

[topdesk]

What I noted above is the the case. One is obliged to “confess” all mortal sins in number and kind.

Canon law…

Can. 988 §1. A member of the Christian faithful is obliged to confess in kind and number all grave sins committed after baptism and not yet remitted directly through the keys of the Church nor acknowledged in individual confession, of which the person has knowledge after diligent examination of conscience.

(grave sins means here mortal sins)

It is important to remember that confession is “confession” not interrogation…

(I will note that those with scruples speak with your confessor…sometimes scruples enter here…)

 

[Lochias]

topdesk:

Everyone should know that none of the suggestions above align with what God says in the Bible. The scripture is Gods book of truth and He sent Jesus to earth where He died on the cross once and for all for our sins. When we accept that, we accept Christ’s life and when we do that our sins past present and future are forgiven. That’s what Jesus did on the cross. He was the once and for ALL sacrifice. We don’t have to do any of the work. Its already done by Jesus. We cant do anything for ourselves no matter how we try. Christ has done it all. That’s the simple Christian story. That’s the Gospel! When we sin we can go to God and repent, meaning we say we are truly sorry and know without a doubt that God has forgiven us. We don’t have to be so contrived as to try and ‘think up’ our sin and say how many times we commit that sin. God just wants to hear that we are sorry and we don’t want a separation between us and God through sin. Repentance brings us back into a relationship with God. He is waiting for us to come to Him, to accept us through grace.

Like another poster suggested, this would be a better topic for another thread. If you’ve got questions, any number of other people in one of the other forums would be happy to help you.

 

[ATeutonicKnight]

The larger examination of conscience, the better. Confess everything you can remember. If you are not sure, confess it.

And, yes, it does feel better! I was skeptical of the sacrament when I came into the Church. Now, I love it!!

This is not particularly true for scrupulous people. I remember doing a very lengthy examination of conscience, and a little over halfway I had to stop, as I had written down thirty two sins or so. I was in the Confessional for twenty minutes, and many people didn’t get to go because of that Examination. That’s why I only use one, and it’s a very small one.

 

[ATeutonicKnight]

topdesk:

Everyone should know that none of the suggestions above align with what God says in the Bible. The scripture is Gods book of truth and He sent Jesus to earth where He died on the cross once and for all for our sins. When we accept that, we accept Christ’s life and when we do that our sins past present and future are forgiven. That’s what Jesus did on the cross. He was the once and for ALL sacrifice. We don’t have to do any of the work. Its already done by Jesus. We cant do anything for ourselves no matter how we try. Christ has done it all. That’s the simple Christian story. That’s the Gospel! When we sin we can go to God and repent, meaning we say we are truly sorry and know without a doubt that God has forgiven us. We don’t have to be so contrived as to try and ‘think up’ our sin and say how many times we commit that sin. God just wants to hear that we are sorry and we don’t want a separation between us and God through sin. Repentance brings us back into a relationship with God. He is waiting for us to come to Him, to accept us through grace.

I’d love to talk about this with you privately. Please send me a private message and we can talk more about this.

 

[TimothyH]

The examination of concience I use is here. There are three different examinations in that document. I typically use the long one based on the ten commandments.

Find a quiet place, pray that God reveals your sins to you, go through the list, write down what you remember, and confess it.

If you are stuck in any habitual sins, make sure to tell the confessor that too, that you struggle to stop with this, that, or the other particular sin. They need to know if it is habitual or not.

-Tim-

 

[Lochias]

If you are stuck in any habitual sins, make sure to tell the confessor that too, that you struggle to stop with this, that, or the other particular sin. They need to know if it is habitual or not.

-Tim-

I found myself embarrassed at first to keep going to the same priest with the same sins I’ve traditionally struggled with; but as I kept going, the priest gave me various advice and penances that really helped me combat the problem, and now I feel more free than I ever have before from those particular sins.

So, I guess the point I’m trying to make is…I agree! Don’t ever be afraid to tell your priest what you struggle with…it can only help.

 

[Newsy]

topdesk:

Everyone should know that none of the suggestions above align with what God says in the Bible. The scripture is Gods book of truth and He sent Jesus to earth where He died on the cross once and for all for our sins. When we accept that, we accept Christ’s life and when we do that our sins past present and future are forgiven. That’s what Jesus did on the cross. He was the once and for ALL sacrifice. We don’t have to do any of the work. Its already done by Jesus. We cant do anything for ourselves no matter how we try. Christ has done it all. That’s the simple Christian story. That’s the Gospel! When we sin we can go to God and repent, meaning we say we are truly sorry and know without a doubt that God has forgiven us. We don’t have to be so contrived as to try and ‘think up’ our sin and say how many times we commit that sin. God just wants to hear that we are sorry and we don’t want a separation between us and God through sin. Repentance brings us back into a relationship with God. He is waiting for us to come to Him, to accept us through grace.

Please start another thread on this, I would really love to discuss this with you! This is just not the place for this, this thread is someone asking advice of Catholics on a Catholic sacrament.

 

[couponfit]

My first confession is coming soon, the rcia team says to write down what i remember. My question is do i include all the sins i’ve done as a kid and teenage years as well?. I have to admit it’s a bit nerve racking and people keep telling me i’ll feel a while lot better afterwards!

Yes, but you can have some inclusion. Like you don’t have to say, on Jan 1 1957 I swore, and on Jan 2 1957 I swore and on Jan 3 1957 I swore, etc. Also your sins should formulate your own reconciliation. There’s a reason we just don’t have a pre-made confession that sort of hits all the common sins. But the best way I had it explained was when someone said, was the concept that we go to purgatory to burn away (not our sins) but our self love. If you can see it from that point you might be able to better understand how to confess. I particularly enjoy the conversation after the confession where the father usually makes some comments or give advice or provides insight and wisdom. That advice is as important as the pennants and confession itself.

 

[asd72]

This is not particularly true for scrupulous people. I remember doing a very lengthy examination of conscience, and a little over halfway I had to stop, as I had written down thirty two sins or so. I was in the Confessional for twenty minutes, and many people didn’t get to go because of that Examination. That’s why I only use one, and it’s a very small one.

Surely that is acceptable for a first confession. I am sure I will have a large amount to confess to at first, I am 39! As you go regularly it would take less time which is understandable.

 

[RonF]

I really enjoyed and learned a lot from the postings on this thread (at least the postings that actually stayed on the point ). Very helpful! I am in RCIA and will be making my first confession soon – and I am looking forward to it with equal measures of joy and terror. But I am very grateful that the Church to which I will soon belong makes available to us this wonderful sacrament of reconciliation.

 

[TheRealJuliane]

What if i don’t remember the number of times i did that sin if it was so long ago?. do you think i could get away with saying several ?

Try to be as specific as you can. If it’s “numerous,” say that. If it’s really only “several,” then estimate, between 4 and 7 times, for example. If it’s “countless,” IOW, you did this sin all the time, then say that. But you might try to get an idea for yourself of how often/how long a duration you sinned in that way. It also gives the priest an idea of things you may struggle with.

Sometimes it’s a fine line between trying to be as specific as possible (God doesn’t need the numbers but we need to be as accountable as possible, for our ow repentance) and not getting scrupulous. I’m not inclined toward scrupulosity but I can see how some people might get more caught up in bookkeeping and not see the global picture.

 

[TheRealJuliane]

This is not particularly true for scrupulous people. I remember doing a very lengthy examination of conscience, and a little over halfway I had to stop, as I had written down thirty two sins or so. I was in the Confessional for twenty minutes, and many people didn’t get to go because of that Examination. That’s why I only use one, and it’s a very small one.

If one has that many sins to confess, one should make a personal appointment with the priest so that no one else is inconvenienced. The regular confessional is not meant for that kind of confession.