Confessing a sin from long ago

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Katherine438

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I have gone to confession pretty regularly through the years and even did a Divine Mercy indulgence of sins.

I have been told by a priest a while ago that you don’t have to confess sins that you may have forgotten in previous confessions … that all the sins are covered when you go to confession.

I recently remembered something that I did 15 years ago, and it is a mortal sin … however been to confession many times since then … do I have to go to confession to confess this sin? According to a priest I spoke to about a year ago about this kind of situation, I’m not supposed to keep confessing sins that were covered under previous confessions … but I never actually confessed this sin.

Can anyone tell me if a mortal sin that was not realized to be a mortal sin is covered under the general absolution of the confessional?
 
If you forgot it and never remember to confess it, then it is covered. Since you do know it, and it’s a serious sin by your own admission, I would mention it next time you go. I confess sins that I’d previously forgotten all the time, and no priest has ever said I shouldn’t.
 
All sins (including mortal) are absolved during confession if you confess with a contrite heart and do not intentionally omit any mortal sins.

However, if you remember a mortal sin, you should confess it at your next confession. I have done this a few times. Do not keep rehashing the past looking for more mortal sins but if you just happen to remember one, confess it.

I do not know your personal situation in regards to scrupulosity, so I would advise you to follow the advice of your priest.

God Bless
 
Katherine438 said:
I have gone to confession pretty regularly through the years and even did a Divine Mercy indulgence of sins.

I have been told by a priest a while ago that you don’t have to confess sins that you may have forgotten in previous confessions … that all the sins are covered when you go to confession.

I recently remembered something that I did 15 years ago, and it is a mortal sin … however been to confession many times since then … do I have to go to confession to confess this sin? According to a priest I spoke to about a year ago about this kind of situation, I’m not supposed to keep confessing sins that were covered under previous confessions … but I never actually confessed this sin.

Can anyone tell me if a mortal sin that was not realized to be a mortal sin is covered under the general absolution of the confessional?
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When does one commit a mortal sin?

Compendium issued by Pope Benedict XVI

395. When does one commit a mortal sin?

1855-1861
1874

One commits a mortal sin when there are simultaneously present: grave matter, full knowledge, and deliberate consent. This sin destroys charity in us, deprives us of sanctifying grace, and, if unrepented, leads us to the eternal death of hell. It can be forgiven in the ordinary way by means of the sacraments of Baptism and of Penance or Reconciliation.

396. When does one commit a venial sin?

1862-1864
1875

One commits a venial sin, which is essentially different from a mortal sin, when the matter involved is less serious or, even if it is grave, when full knowledge or complete consent are absent. Venial sin does not break the covenant with God but it weakens charity and manifests a disordered affection for created goods. It impedes the progress of a soul in the exercise of the virtues and in the practice of moral good. It merits temporal punishment which purifies.

vatican.va/archive/compendium_ccc/documents/archive_2005_compendium-ccc_en.html​

Ordinarily - yes one is obliged to confess forgotten mortal sins if they are remembered. (Some persons though can be in a different boat and be an exception to this (their regular confessor would direct them) -but that is an exception to the obligation.)

But in your question - did you commit a mortal sin actually back then? (see above). If not then it does not need to be confessed even though there was grave matter present.

If you did not have the knowledge needed to commit a mortal sin - such an act would have been a venial sin not a mortal sin (see above). One needs full knowledge at the time it was committed. So if Sally did Y with no clue that Y was sinful - Sally is not guilty for sin Y (at least not as a mortal sin). Sally does not need to confess sin Y. If Sally has some doubt about it and she has a normal conscience she can bring it to her regular confessor and confess it noting the doubt. If her confessor has instructed her not to bring anything from the past unless she is certain it was mortal and certain it was not confessed etc - then she would apply those instructions.

In the end your confessor can guide you - note to him what you noted here.
 
Bookcat said:
When does one commit a mortal sin?

Compendium issued by Pope Benedict XVI

395. When does one commit a mortal sin?

1855-1861
1874

One commits a mortal sin when there are simultaneously present: grave matter, full knowledge, and deliberate consent. This sin destroys charity in us, deprives us of sanctifying grace, and, if unrepented, leads us to the eternal death of hell. It can be forgiven in the ordinary way by means of the sacraments of Baptism and of Penance or Reconciliation.

396. When does one commit a venial sin?

1862-1864
1875

One commits a venial sin, which is essentially different from a mortal sin, when the matter involved is less serious or, even if it is grave, when full knowledge or complete consent are absent. Venial sin does not break the covenant with God but it weakens charity and manifests a disordered affection for created goods. It impedes the progress of a soul in the exercise of the virtues and in the practice of moral good. It merits temporal punishment which purifies.

vatican.va/archive/compendium_ccc/documents/archive_2005_compendium-ccc_en.html​

Ordinarily - yes one is obliged to confess forgotten mortal sins if they are remembered. (Some persons though can be in a different boat and be an exception to this (their regular confessor would direct them) -but that is an exception to the obligation.)

But in your question - did you commit a mortal sin actually back then? (see above). If not then it does not need to be confessed even though there was grave matter present.

If you did not have the knowledge needed to commit a mortal sin - such an act would have been a venial sin not a mortal sin (see above). One needs full knowledge at the time it was committed. So if Sally did Y with no clue that Y was sinful - Sally is not guilty for sin Y (at least not as a mortal sin). Sally does not need to confess sin Y. If Sally has some doubt about it and she has a normal conscience she can bring it to her regular confessor and confess it noting the doubt. If her confessor has instructed her not to bring anything from the past unless she is certain it was mortal and certain it was not confessed etc - then she would apply those instructions.

In the end your confessor can guide you - note to him what you noted here.
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According to the definition you gave me, I was not fully aware that what I was doing was in fact a sin … I did not do it knowing that it was a sin … I knew it was wrong … but never once gave it a thought that it was a sin … I was not following my faith very well when this particular thing happened.
 
Katherine438 said:
According to the definition you gave me, I was not fully aware that what I was doing was in fact a sin … I did not do it knowing that it was a sin … I knew it was wrong … but never once gave it a thought that it was a sin … I was not following my faith very well when this particular thing happened.
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Your confessor can guide you more.

Some things of course one knows are seriously wrong rather naturally -such as murdering your Postman. One does not need to use the word “sin” to know that is very serious …
 
Bookcat said:
Your confessor can guide you more.

Some things of course one knows are seriously wrong rather naturally -such as murdering your Postman. One does not need to use the word “sin” to know that is very serious …
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It was a very complicated situation, and one might say that I made a normal choice for everyday people … but as Catholics, we are held to a higher standard. I have decided that I will have to talk to my priest about this. Thank you for your help.
 
I often ask the Holy Spirit to stir my mind & heart and show me what needs changed, what I need to confess. Once in a while He brings to mind a past sin that was never confessed so I always make a point to confess it.
 
Have you received the anointing of the sick since the sin in question?
If so, it’s been absolved already.
.
 
pianistclare said:
Have you received the anointing of the sick since the sin in question?
If so, it’s been absolved already.
.
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No, but I had a priest do a special general absolution for me before I went into a 7 hour surgery.
 
Katherine438 said:
No, but I had a priest do a special general absolution for me before I went into a 7 hour surgery.
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The issue here is not whether the sin is absolved/forgiven. It is. However there is still the obligation to confess it, provided you are confident that some particular act was a mortal sin and you are confident you have failed to mention it previously.

FTR - Anointing of the Sick will remit mortal sins in those unable to make confession (and have at least general and habitual attrition for their sins), but not in those who are able but choose not to. Important distinction…
 
e_c said:
The issue here is not whether the sin is absolved/forgiven. It is. However there is still the obligation to confess it, provided you are confident that some particular act was a mortal sin and you are confident you have failed to mention it previously.

FTR - Anointing of the Sick will remit mortal sins in those unable to make confession (and have at least general and habitual attrition for their sins), but not in those who are able but choose not to. Important distinction…
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I guess I was just wondering about it … there’s really no issue … will confess it this weekend.
 
e_c said:
The issue here is not whether the sin is absolved/forgiven. It is. However there is still the obligation to confess it, provided you are confident that some particular act was a mortal sin and you are confident you have failed to mention it previously.

FTR - Anointing of the Sick will remit mortal sins in those unable to make confession (and have at least general and habitual attrition for their sins), but not in those who are able but choose not to. Important distinction…
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hmmmm. not according to my pastor. He says if you are anointed, for whatever reason, you are completely and totally absolved.
I’m sure Fr. David will weigh in eventually.
 
pianistclare said:
hmmmm. not according to my pastor. He says if you are anointed, for whatever reason, you are completely and totally absolved.
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CCC 1532 The special grace of the sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick has as its effects:
  • the uniting of the sick person to the passion of Christ, for his own good and that of the whole Church;
  • the strengthening, peace, and courage to endure in a Christian manner the sufferings of illness or old age;
  • the forgiveness of sins, if the sick person was not able to obtain it through the sacrament of Penance;
  • the restoration of health, if it is conducive to the salvation of his soul;
  • the preparation for passing over to eternal life.
scborromeo.org/ccc/p2s2c2a5.htm#1514
A person who is forgiven via the Sacrament of the Sick (ie he cannot confess and is anointed etc) still must confess any mortal sins if they survive. Just like if they had received a General Absolution in necessity.
 
Bookcat said:
Note though what you noted above (if your unsure it was mortal…).
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Well yes indeed, that is what I was wondering also … I guess the priest will be the best one to figure it all out for me.
 
It bothers you. Go and confess it already. It’s for your peace of mind, not people on a internet forum. Peace be with you.
 
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