Confessing old sins

[chasingcars]

I’d like to confess some old sins when I go to Confession next time. I’ve already confessed them but I feel the need to do so again because I’ve started struggle with that kind of stuff again (but I haven’t done those sins since I confessed them!). Is that allowed and should I mention to the priest that they’re old sins?

 

[spiderweb]

You can do this, but you should state that you have already confessed and received absolution for them.

 

[Richard_White]

If you have confessed them sincerely in the Sacrament of Reconciliation and have not committed them again, then there is no need to mention them again because God has already forgiven them. However, if you merely want to mention some temptations that you have been having and that you have struggled with such sins in the past, then that would be good because then maybe your priest will be able to give you some comfort and counsel.

May God bless you abundantly and forever!

 

[808Catholic]

I’d like to confess some old sins when I go to Confession next time. I’ve already confessed them but I feel the need to do so again because I’ve started struggle with that kind of stuff again (but I haven’t done those sins since I confessed them!). Is that allowed and should I mention to the priest that they’re old sins?

If these are sins you’ve already specifically confessed, received absolution, and completed your penance as prescribed by the priest, you should believe in the grace of God to have removed them. I would recommend you stop confessing these “old” sins.

On the other hand, if there are “new” sins that are exactly like the “old” sin, I suggest you confess them. They may be a result of a compulsion or addiction (to sin); each act of sin stands on its own.

Does that make sense? God Bless you and may His grace ever be with you.

 

[ServusHumilis]

Unless you’re doing a general confession, I wouldn’t bother. Once a priest became mad at me when I was trying to look back and confess old sins, saying “they’ve already been forgiven; forget about them!”

 

[George_Stegmeir]

Why don’t you go to or telephone your Rectory or Parish Office and make an appointment to see a Priest?
Then, when yo meet with him, you can explain and discuss your situation with him and resolve your problem/feelings once and for all.

 

[Wesrock]

I would certainly not “confess” old sins. There’s nothing to confess. However, if you’re struggling with temptation and venial sin, it’s okay to go regularly to confess to build up your strength. This is an issue for overly scrupulous, people, too. You haven’t indicated that you are such a person, but if you’re feeling guilty and persistent anxiety over these old sins and immediately after leaving confession, you may be dealing with that.

 

[Ad_Orientem]

If you seek grace against temptation, you can get this from prayer, Holy Communion, and the practice of virtue. It is true, we get that grace especially from Confession, but it is sufficient to be sorry for all your past sins; you don’t need to mention those already absolved. You will still get actual grace from the sacrament.

As mentioned above, if it helps you psychologically to mention you’re struggling with X, you may do so, but be brief, and note that some priests don’t give spiritual direction and therefore only want a list of sins.

That said, there is a benefit to be derived from confessing previously absolved sins; the absolution helps further remit the remaining temporal punishment. But again, so do prayer, Holy Communion, and acts of virtue. Most priests are not used to general confessions of devotion, so if you’re going to do that you should make an appointment.

Another thought. We may confess venial sins, including those related to grave sins we have struggled with. Imperfections are not sins and therefore not matter for the sacrament. If you don’t know the difference between a venial sin and an imperfection, ask your confessor.

 

[Vico]

I’d like to confess some old sins when I go to Confession next time. I’ve already confessed them but I feel the need to do so again because I’ve started struggle with that kind of stuff again (but I haven’t done those sins since I confessed them!). Is that allowed and should I mention to the priest that they’re old sins?

Baltimore Catechism No. 3 has:
Q. 782. What should one do who has only venial sins to confess?
A. One who has only venial sins to confess should tell also some sin already confessed in his past life for which he knows he is truly sorry; because it is not easy to be truly sorry for slight sins and imperfections, and yet we must be sorry for the sins confessed that our confession may be valid – hence we add some past sin for which we are truly sorry to those for which we may not be sufficiently sorry.

 

[AttendeDomine]

If you have confessed them sincerely in the Sacrament of Reconciliation and have not committed them again, then there is no need to mention them again because God has already forgiven them.

It is an aspect of **devotional **Confession to mention past sins; and the reason for doing this would be to receive graces to be able to resist them in the future. This is especially useful for people who used to struggle with a particular sin, have seemingly overcome it, but yet want to preemptively acquire special graces from God to grow in the particular sin’s opposite virtue.

So yes, IMO, provided one doesn’t become scrupulous over this, confessing sins from one’s past life can bear much spiritual fruit, even though God has already forgiven them. In fact, although it’s obviously a legitimate phrase, one downside of the term Sacrament of Reconciliation is that it unwittingly communicates that the sole purpose of Confession is to reconcile a sinner with God and His Church. “I haven’t committed a mortal sin. Why do I need to go to Reconciliation?” becomes a very valid question.

But one need not even be in a state of venial sin to go to Confession, provided that at least one actual sin from one’s past life is confessed; and we shouldn’t forget the various other graces that a person could dispose themself to during Confession.

 

[chasingcars]

Thank you all. The sins I’d like to confess again are self-harm, purging and binging Like I said, I’ve already confessed them but I feel like I should do it again because recently I’ve been doing quite bad and it’s been difficult not to purge after eating (but I still haven’t done it, yay!). I think it’d help to mention them but I hope I won’t sound too awkward or anything… :imsorry:

 

[spiderweb]

Thank you all. The sins I’d like to confess again are self-harm, purging and binging Like I said, I’ve already confessed them but I feel like I should do it again because recently I’ve been doing quite bad and it’s been difficult not to purge after eating (but I still haven’t done it, yay!). I think it’d help to mention them but I hope I won’t sound too awkward or anything… :imsorry:

I would just say your unconfessed sins first (even venial ones), then say “In addition to those, I have previously confessed the following…(binging, purging, or whatever) and am really struggling with the temptation to commit these sins again.” Then whatever direction the priest goes from there, follow his lead.

 

[chasingcars]

I would just say your unconfessed sins first (even venial ones), then say “In addition to those, I have previously confessed the following…(binging, purging, or whatever) and am really struggling with the temptation to commit these sins again.” Then whatever direction the priest goes from there, follow his lead.

I’ll do that. Thank you

 

[CatholicFireman]

A past confessor (RIP, Father) told me if I keep thinking about past sins it will weigh heavily on me constantly. So he told me to say my Act of Contrition and to add, “and all my past transgressions”. Believe it or not, it felt like a great weight was lifted off my shoulders. I always say at the end of confession, “for these sins and those I have forgotten, have mercy.”

 

[InThePew]

Thank you all. The sins I’d like to confess again are self-harm, purging and binging Like I said, I’ve already confessed them but I feel like I should do it again because recently I’ve been doing quite bad and it’s been difficult not to purge after eating (but I still haven’t done it, yay!). I think it’d help to mention them but I hope I won’t sound too awkward or anything… :imsorry:

So as others have indicated, once absolved a sin is gone for good - so much so that even a priest you’ve confessed to before can’t bring it up. Having said that, I can relate to your problem. What’s been useful for me in similar situations is just saying to the priest that this is something I struggle with (code for: I’ve been here before) or, you can just say “this isn’t the first time I’ve confessed this problem”.

While sins arising out of a struggle with addictions are venial, it is important (and beneficial) to keep going back to confession as often as you need to - preferably to the same priest so that he becomes familiar with your struggles.

 

[808Catholic]

Thank you all. The sins I’d like to confess again are self-harm, purging and binging Like I said, I’ve already confessed them but I feel like I should do it again because recently I’ve been doing quite bad and it’s been difficult not to purge after eating (but I still haven’t done it, yay!). I think it’d help to mention them but I hope I won’t sound too awkward or anything… :imsorry:

God bless you for seeking the grace of God through Confession! Thank you for sharing your story. I’m sure there are others out here who may be facing very similar challenges to what you’re going through and your story may provide them with the strength to resist their temptations as well.

We all sin. Period. Some of us have habitual sins and we may feel “will I ever be good enough to receive His Body and Blood? When will I stop?” God loves us for who we are; sin and all! The issue with Confession is “how much do WE love Him???” Do we love Him enough to be totally truthful with Christ’s servant on earth (priest) and humble enough to open ourselves to receive the grace of absolution? I get the sense you are.

God bless you. Count those times you’ve resisted those temptations as times God has touched you personally. He’s given you so much help to resist temptation. Just be open to receiving His grace even more. He is a loving God and you are His beloved!