Can Catholics confess through private prayer?

[JQ1]

Currently, confession has become an issue between my wife and me. While I believe that a priest can absolve sins through confession, she believes that confession through prayer is acceptable. She explained that a prayer confession was taught as an option in Catholic school. Can you clear up my confusion?

 

[Michelle_Arnold]

You are right and your wife is not entirely wrong. Catholics can confess their sins through private prayer and should do so immediately upon repentance. But, for Catholics, forgiveness for mortal sins is conditioned upon their following up with sacramental confession at the next available opportunity, or at least once per year. It would be gravely problematic for a Catholic to privately pray for the forgiveness of a mortal sin but have no intention of going to sacramental confession later. Although sacramental confession of venial sins is not required, the Church does strongly urge Catholics to regularly confess their venial sins.