Confessing Venial Sins Along with Mortal Sins

[SpreadLove]

Thank you for taking the time to read the following dilemma of mine.

I have finally, after years of internal struggle, resolved to make a true and complete confession in a couple of days. This confession will include countless repetitions of multiple unsavory mortal sins, that need not be elaborated on for the sake of this thread.

My question is this: I have gone to roughly bi-monthly confessions in this time period, having withheld my mortal sins (something that will also be confessed). In these confessions I confessed the venial sins that I struggled with. It is my understanding that none of these sins were actually forgiven and that I should re-confess all that I remember (or have a general confession?). I know that I will be nervous before/during my confession and it just seems odd to me to pair these smaller vices with sins that have been weighing on my soul for years. Is it okay to save re confessing (or confessing my venial sins in general) for a future confession? If not, how do I make a segue from mortal sins that have been like scars to my soul to “I tried to push X’s buttons”?

This may seem like a petty concern, but as someone who has struggled with confession for a long time out of pure fear and embarrassment, I really don’t want this to get in the way of me receiving the sacrament ASAP.
Your advice is very much appreciated!

 

[Annie]

It is my understanding that venial sins do not need to be confessed.

Even mortal sins sins need to be confessed only in number (which can be approximate) and kind. So: I engaged in an extramarital affair for a year and a half, meeting approximately once a week. No need to go into details.

You will need to confess that you deliberately withheld mortal sins in your confession for about X number of years, and that you thus received the Eucharist sacrilegiously for that amount of time.

Then list briefly the number and kind of all the mortal sins you can remember.

At the end, you can add a statement of sorrow regarding your venial sins, but you do not have to specify them.

In the end, you can say, “For these and all the sins of my past life I am most heartily sorry,” which also indicates to the priest that you have finished telling him your sins.

Although scary, you are doing a wonderful thing! Your priest should be very happy to be the instrument of your reconciliation with God

 

[JackMcCoy]

Just dive right in and confess. There is no easy way. God will give you the strength to find the words. Be not aftaid. If you struggle, just ask the priest for help.
God bless you!