Confessing after long time

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devonsams

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I’m planning to confess this week after years, but in this time ive commited many mortal sins, and I guess I won’t remember all of them when I confess, so what can I do to become in state of grace once again? What If I forget to say some sins? I won’t be in state of grace and I won’t know it, but there are many and in a long time. Please someone could help me? Thanks.
 
When you are absolved in confession, you are absolved of all sins, unless you purposely conceal one (which is, in itself, a sin).

Simply list out all your sins on a piece of paper as best you can remember and it is important that you at least have the intent to confess all your mortal sins. At the end of the confession, confess that you may have forgotten some sins. Say “for these (confessed) sins and any that I have forgotten, I am truly sorry”. That way, you are covered. Oh, and if you remember a sin that you forgot to confess, just resolve to confess it at the next confession (even though all sins are absolved, it is highly recommended to still confess sins that you later remember)

Here is a link from Catholic Answers that supports my statement…
 
devonsams said:
I’m planning to confess this week after years, but in this time ive commited many mortal sins, and I guess I won’t remember all of them when I confess, so what can I do to become in state of grace once again? What If I forget to say some sins? I won’t be in state of grace and I won’t know it, but there are many and in a long time. Please someone could help me? Thanks.
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You are already examining your conscience in asking this question. Yes you have probably committed many sins but trying to remember all of them is not as important as recalling the ones that are on your conscience and therefor separating you from God. It would be good to remember and confess all of them but do not let this keep you from honestly confessing the ones that are truly keeping you from God. Do the best you can and remember, even if you have to write them down on a list, there will be plenty opportunity to confess those that come to mind later but do not come to mind today.

Peace and grace be to you!!!
 
Prayer_Warrior said:
(even though all sins are absolved, it is highly recommended to still confess sins that you later remember)
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It is not just “highly recommended” it is an obligation.

In terms of mortal sin that is.

(now I will note that those with “scruples” may be in a different boat -for they can start to want to confess all sorts of unnecessary things --their regular confessor can guide them)
 
One is obliged to confess all mortal sins in number and kind (and circumstance that changes the kind – like it was your brother you murdered! or the gold cup you stole was from the Church (hence sacrilege))

Venial sins are recommended to be confessed (at least some …). They can also be forgiven in many other ways too prior to confession.

Of course after a very good examination we may not …remember everything…that is ok…we do what we can…God forgives the forgotten ones too (we need of course to be sorry for all our mortal sins…and amended)…then if we later remember one we forgot…we are to confess it in the next confession after we remember it. (this is different from if we intentionally hide a mortal sin…which would invalidate the confession and can be another mortal sin …)

If something is doubtful one notes it is doubtful in some way. While one is not strictly obliged to confess doubtful mortal sins – it is normally recommended to (though those with scruples may be recommended not to).

Also we may not know the numbers …we make an approximation according to our knowledge from our examinination …3-5x, 5-10 a month for the last 20 years, somewhere around 50 times, around 10x, or it was several times definately more than 10 …it may be that one has to say: “a few times”, “several times” “many times” “many many times” etc

Of course one needs contrition and a firm purpose of amendment.

Here from the Catechism:

scborromeo.org/ccc/p2s2c2a4.htm#VII

Here is a guide sold by Catholic Answers: shop.catholic.com/product.php?productid=137&cat=25&page=1

From Jimmy Akin of Catholic Answers:

jimmyakin.com/2007/03/specific_confes.html

Forgotten mortal sins: jimmyakin.org/2006/09/a_reader_writes_1.html

(the Priest can help you…and if there is something like an invalid marriage that will need to be taken care of first usually)

(welcome home!)

Jesus is the Good Shepherd --he loves you --in him is * true life*
 
Its a nice feeling to confess after many many years. I was so nervous I can’t remember what I had even confessed. But oddly many of my sins kept appearing afterwards so I have continued to sin as I remember them. Its just really nice to talk to God again. God bless you.
 
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