Confessing serious vs. venial sins

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We are not required to confess venial sins in confession but are encouraged to do so (which is what I’m planning to do starting with my 2nd confession). But still, technical question:

If I were to confess only the serious sins and no venial or only some of the venial sins I’m aware of, would they still all be forgiven in confession?

Also, I have just learned that receiving Christ in the eucharist forgives our venial sins. Can you please explain to me then the difference between the forgiveness through the eucharist and the one through confession?

Thanks!
 
Xandria said:
We are not required to confess venial sins in confession but are encouraged to do so (which is what I’m planning to do starting with my 2nd confession). But still, technical question:

If I were to confess only the serious sins and no venial or only some of the venial sins I’m aware of, would they still all be forgiven in confession?

Also, I have just learned that receiving Christ in the eucharist forgives our venial sins. Can you please explain to me then the difference between the forgiveness through the eucharist and the one through confession?

Thanks!
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any of the sacraments can give you the graces to forgive you of venial sins. the prayer for Communion (Lord, i am not worthy…) would seek forgiveness from minor sins and make you worthy to receive Jesus

the difference between forgiveness in the Eucharist vs Confession is that a grave sin will cause imperfections with your relationship to Jesus and His Church. given that, receiving the Eucharist in that state will only cause a greater sin because of unworthiness. the purpose of the Eucharist isn’t mainly about forgiveness of sins but communion with Jesus, we become one with Jesus. the purpose of Confession is to perfect our relationship with Jesus and His Church which was damaged by sin.
 
The Catholic Priest in the Confessional has the “authority” to “forgive” or “retain” any mortal sin. Make no mistake about this.

“Your” obligation to yourself in not to retain sin, but to openly and honestly admitt to your sin. You have no control over anything from that point. Have “Blind Faith” that Jesus Christ is the redeemer, and follow his example. Theres nothing that can’t be forgiven, much depends on you, and your state of mind. And if you are having a problem with what you did and coming to terms with confession? Pray the Rosary “daily” and ask the Blessed Mother for nothing but to show you the way to Jesus.

Did you know the Apostle Paul was a murderer? He had much contempt and murdered many christians under the name Saul. Yet as the Apostle Paul he stated; “For if we sin willfully after we have recieved the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins”.

Jesus said: “If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I will pray the father, and He will give you another counslor, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of Truth”
John 14:15-16

Jesus gave this authority to the Apostles, and he gave them the Spirit which he promised. This authority was passed from the Apostles to their successors. And remains till the End.

I can’t speak to you on confession without a Priest. I’m not knowledgable on this subject. I didn’t grow in the Catholic Church this way.

I’ll Pray for you, God Bless, GT

Don’t be affraid of anything about the Catholic Church. They are here to “save souls”. Be affraid of anything else but those of the Catholic Faith.

Also I just read the second post. This may well be true today. Yet thats not what we were taught as kids in school and through the sacrements. If that were true. Then if you never committed a Mortal Sin? You would “never” need to go to a confessional? You are required to confess on Easter and Lent in a Confessional. And its suggested you go to confession once a mth in a confessional? Thats my understanding anyway? And the Blessed Mother instructs us to go the first Sat of the first five mths of the year?
 
Thanks, but I think you misunderstood me. I’m not afraid of confession and am planning to go once a month. I just wondered if there is a difference in the forgiveness of venial sins though reception of the eucharist and confession.

Like, if I’m already forgiven those venial sins through the eucharist, does it make sense to bring them up in confession again?

Also, does someone know the answer to my other question? 🙂
Xandria said:
technical question:

If I were to confess only the serious sins and no venial or only some of the venial sins I’m aware of, would they still all be forgiven in confession?
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I’m pretty sure that, in the confessional, only the sin you actually confess is forgiven. As long as you have no attachment to them, the Church grants forgiveness under a number of circumstances. Piously cross yourself with holy water on the way into the confessional and your venial sins are forgiven.

That said, because venial sins increase our tendency to sin, it never hurts to confess venial sins, even if they have been forgiven by receiving holy communion, proper use of sacramentals, etc…
 
Xandria said:
Thanks, but I think you misunderstood me. I’m not afraid of confession and am planning to go once a month. I just wondered if there is a difference in the forgiveness of venial sins though reception of the eucharist and confession.

Like, if I’m already forgiven those venial sins through the eucharist, does it make sense to bring them up in confession again?

Also, does someone know the answer to my other question? 🙂
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It is a very good practice to confess venial sins because it can help one to grow in humility, it helps keep one’s conscience attentive and thus keeps a person from mortal sin, and it helps to root out sin and thereby provide the means for a person to grow in holiness.

An Examination of Conscience
Fr. Robert Altier
 
Xandria said:
We are not required to confess venial sins in confession but are encouraged to do so (which is what I’m planning to do starting with my 2nd confession). But still, technical question:

If I were to confess only the serious sins and no venial or only some of the venial sins I’m aware of, would they still all be forgiven in confession?

Also, I have just learned that receiving Christ in the eucharist forgives our venial sins. Can you please explain to me then the difference between the forgiveness through the eucharist and the one through confession?

Thanks!
Click to expand...
If you are sorry for them etc…you include them under “and all the sins of my life”…yes I believe they can be absolved that way.

With confession comes special grace to work on overcoming them…etc

But yes venial sins can be forgiven in a number of ways outside of confession…Mass, Communion…prayer…reading scripture…contrition…etc…

Do not wait for confession…but it is recommended to confess some venial sins …in frequent confession…
 
IX. THE EFFECTS OF THIS SACRAMENT (Catechism)

1468 "The whole power of the sacrament of Penance consists in restoring us to God’s grace and joining us with him in an intimate friendship."73 Reconciliation with God is thus the purpose and effect of this sacrament. For those who receive the sacrament of Penance with contrite heart and religious disposition, reconciliation "is usually followed by peace and serenity of conscience with strong spiritual consolation."74 Indeed the sacrament of Reconciliation with God brings about a true “spiritual resurrection,” restoration of the dignity and blessings of the life of the children of God, of which the most precious is friendship with God.75

1469 This sacrament reconciles us with the Church. Sin damages or even breaks fraternal communion. The sacrament of Penance repairs or restores it. In this sense it does not simply heal the one restored to ecclesial communion, but has also a revitalizing effect on the life of the Church which suffered from the sin of one of her members.76 Re-established or strengthened in the communion of saints, the sinner is made stronger by the exchange of spiritual goods among all the living members of the Body of Christ, whether still on pilgrimage or already in the heavenly homeland:77
Code: 
It must be recalled that . . . this reconciliation with God leads, as it were, to other reconciliations, which repair the other breaches caused by sin. The forgiven penitent is reconciled with himself in his inmost being, where he regains his innermost truth. He is reconciled with his brethren whom he has in some way offended and wounded. He is reconciled with the Church. He is reconciled with all creation.78
1470 In this sacrament, the sinner, placing himself before the merciful judgment of God, anticipates in a certain way the judgment to which he will be subjected at the end of his earthly life. For it is now, in this life, that we are offered the choice between life and death, and it is only by the road of conversion that we can enter the Kingdom, from which one is excluded by grave sin.79 In converting to Christ through penance and faith, the sinner passes from death to life and "does not come into judgment."80
 
More:

1458 Without being strictly necessary, confession of everyday faults (venial sins) is nevertheless strongly recommended by the Church.59 Indeed the regular confession of our venial sins helps us form our conscience, fight against evil tendencies, let ourselves be healed by Christ and progress in the life of the Spirit. By receiving more frequently through this sacrament the gift of the Father’s mercy, we are spurred to be merciful as he is merciful:60
Whoever confesses his sins . . . is already working with God. God indicts your sins; if you also indict them, you are joined with God. Man and sinner are, so to speak, two realities: when you hear "man" - this is what God has made; when you hear "sinner" - this is what man himself has made. Destroy what you have made, so that God may save what he has made. . . . When you begin to abhor what you have made, it is then that your good works are beginning, since you are accusing yourself of your evil works. The beginning of good works is the confession of evil works. You do the truth and come to the light.61
 
Thanks! So I guess the answer remains the same: Not neccessary but highly recommended. Since my first confession last week I’m doing a quick examination of conscience everyday and am finding that I’m much more aware of my sins than before, even though I tried to live good as well then.

What happened today prompted me to ask this question. I committed a venial sin and the thing is that it happened more or less automatically, out of habit, and before I knew it I had already done it. I immediately asked for forgiveness and did so again at Mass before I received Holy Communion. I think it’s forgiven but should I still bring it up at my next confession?
Bookcat said:
If you are sorry for them etc…you include them under “and all the sins of my life”…yes they can be absolved that way.
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I wasn’t taught that phrase. I was told to say and also read that I should say “These are all my sins. I’m asking for penance and absolution.”
 
In confession of just venial sins…

It is good to pick just “some” to confess…not try to “get em all”…

It is good to pick some particular ones that one is particularly sorry for and on which one is going to work more on…and confess those …

and maybe add some others…and then in the end add "and I accuse myself of past sins of x and y (some particular sin of the past you sorry for …one that you for sure are sorry for… often suggested to do a mortal kind…now since these were confessed before one can say it now in general…such as “against chastity”)

…and then add “and all the sins of my life”…and thus intend the rest of your venial sins of late that you are sorry for etc (hopefully you are sorry for em all)
 
Thanks! So I guess the answer remains the same: Not neccessary but highly recommended. Since my first confession last week I’m doing a quick examination of conscience everyday and am finding that I’m much more aware of my sins than before, even though I tried to live good as well then.

What happened today prompted me to ask this question. I committed a venial sin and the thing is that it happened more or less automatically, out of habit, and before I knew it I had already done it. I immediately asked for forgiveness and did so again at Mass before I received Holy Communion. I think it’s forgiven but should I still bring it up at my next confession?

no need…that is up to you…

I wasn’t taught that phrase. I was told to say and also read that I should say “These are all my sins. I’m asking for penance and absolution.”

there are different ways…but I recommend using that at the end…for then you are directly including those other sins you are sorry for…and also it is recommended to add a past “Kind of sin” see other post that you are paricularly sorry for…
 
Bookcat said:
In confession of just venial sins…

It is good to pick just “some” to confess…not try to “get em all”…

It is good to pick some particular ones that one is particularly sorry for and on which one is going to work more on…and confess those …

and maybe add some others…and then in the end add "and I accuse myself of past sins of x and y (some particular sin of the past you sorry for …one that you for sure are sorry for… often suggested to do a mortal kind…now since these were confessed before one can say it now in general…such as “against chastity”)

…and then add “and all the sins of my life”…and thus intend the rest of your venial sins of late that you are sorry for etc (hopefully you are sorry for em all)
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Is a full inbox committed with full moral knowledge a venial or mortal sin?
 
On way…

Begin with the sign of the Cross…

then "I am married …it has been 1 week since my last confession (or my last confession was last Saturday)…I accuse my self of X Y Z (if mortal one needs to say number and kind…murder 2 times…and then end "and I accuse myself of past sins of perjury and murder and all the sins of my life…then Father talks with you…and gives a penance…which you accept …and then he asks you to make an act of contrition…which can be your own words…but of course you are contrite and have a firm purpose of amendment…he gives you absolution …and tells you are forgiven etc…and you say His mercy endures forever…and then he says something and you say thanks be to God…and then thank father…and leave in joy 🙂
 
Bookcat said:
In confession of just venial sins…

It is good to pick just “some” to confess…not try to “get em all”…

It is good to pick some particular ones that one is particularly sorry for and on which one is going to work more on…and confess those …
Click to expand...
Thanks for all your help!!! 🙂 This is very interesting to read because I planned to confess all the venial sins I’m aware of. I think I would have felt guilty for only confessing some of them, like I was withholding them, even though it isn’t even required.

I also don’t want to get on the priest’s nerves. Only a small number of people are going to confession anymore and I’m not sure if he would be irritated if I came in regularly and accused myself of a number of venial sins (perhaps and hopefully only venial sins).

But I think I would feel better, at least in the beginning, where my sins are not always on repeat yet.
 
Xandria said:
Thanks for all your help!!! 🙂 This is very interesting to read because I planned to confess all the venial sins I’m aware of. I think I would have felt guilty for only confessing some of them, like I was withholding them, even though it isn’t even required.

I also don’t want to get on the priest’s nerves. Only a small number of people are going to confession anymore and I’m not sure if he would be irritated if I came in regularly and accused myself of a number of venial sins (perhaps and hopefully only venial sins).

But I think I would feel better, at least in the beginning, where my sins are not always on repeat yet.
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Make sure you skip unnecessary details…that would prolong things…especially if you intend to bring a bunch (such details would be skipped anyway…)
 
Of course if you decide to “focus in” on particular ones…you could add a little for spiritual direction of sorts or regarding your motives etc…

but over all things should be brief 🙂
 
That was going to be my next question 🙂 how detailed it should be. Let’s say for argument’s sake that I lied to someone. Should I just say I lied to, for example my mother, or should I also say what the lie was? I’m guessing the former?
 
And know two that the “purpose of admentment” required is different for venial sins than mortal sins…

Mortal sins…one must be firmly resolved not to commit them again (even if one fears one may etc)…etc

Venial sins…one needs at least the amendment to do better…to lessen the number of them etc…for certain venial sins can be real buggers…and you can find yourself mentioning the ‘same ones’ week after week…so fret not…be sorry again if this happens… and put your hand to the plow and do not look back…

Of course try to be as amended as one can…and try to come up with perhaps concrete ways to work at em
 
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