Can I bring a "cheat sheet" into the confessional

[mjjddh]

I do it all the time. I keep a itty bitty notebook with me in my purse to jot down my sins each day. I use that notebook when I examine my conscience before confession. It helps me to see patterns in my life that are leading to sins. I jot down the things I need to work on and use in my confession. After confession, I take my notes back home and rip the pages out of my itty bitty notebook. I burn them and it feels so good to see them go up in flames. It’s very therapeutic and very cleansing.

This is a wonderful idea! if you don’t mind, I’m going to borrow it.

 

[DanielStDominic]

Because of various factors, I’ve been to Confession with some 20-odd priests, and 90% of the time prefer the face-to-face option. Of those priests, only one encouraged me to NOT bring a notebook, which is my usual habit.

The reasons to refrain from bringing notes, as others have pointed out, probably revolve around two, main points: (1) the potential for a vast listing of unnecessary details, especially surrounding venial sins or imperfections; (2) the amount of time some list-makers might take up in the confessional.

If you can avoid those two points, which should be avoided with or without notes, I think you’ll do fine. As always, prudence and balance are important.