When I go to confession I’m not overly specific but in the end I’m told the confession was good and I’m absolved. Just wondering thoughts on this? Do you need to be overly detailed?
Definitely don’t be “overly detailed”. We are to confess in kind and number, don’t go into needless detail but also don’t be vague about it.
So basically, do: say what the sin was and how many times you committed it. Do not: explain in detail the particular situation and everything leading up to it, go into why you did it, or give excuses.
If the priest was satisfied with your confession, and you made sure to mention all your grave sins since your last confession, then you’re good.
If the priest felt more details were needed, he would have asked you for them.
It’s one thing to say I committed adultery once this weekend, but it’s another to say I committed adultery and it’s an ongoing thing. The latter could actually be grounds for denial of absolution if the priest has reason to believe the person is not penitent about it and has no intention to stop.
I don’t go into number and detail (largely because I sin so much that I don’t know). I confess the same sins every time, it seems, so I just say that it’s a constant struggle. I haven’t been pressed by any priest (I’ve been to five different ones) for details or number, but they’ll let you know if they want you to provide them.
If the priest granted you absolution of your sins be satisfied you received absolution. Do not go looking for problems that do not exist.
If a priest thinks your confession is lacking in some has the power to withhold absolution. So if the priest does absolve you that means he was satisfied. That should be enough.
All we are required to do is confess in kind and number those mortal sins which we can recall. There is no need to go into unnecessary details.
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