Confession dilemma

[coolduude]

Hi all,

I just got back from Confession and I have a question as to it’s validity. The formula was correct, etc, but here’s my problem:

I confessed my mortal sins then said “I think that’s it” to cue the priest that I was done. However, when he was talking to me I remembered another, most likely venial, sin. Instead of interrupting as I probably should have done, I let him continue, absolve me, and dismiss me. On top of that, I forgot my penance already

So, was this confession valid or should I go back at the next opportunity to do it over?

If clarification is needed, please ask.

Thanks,
Coolduude

 

[ConstantineTG]

Hi all,

I just got back from Confession and I have a question as to it’s validity. The formula was correct, etc, but here’s my problem:

I confessed my mortal sins then said “I think that’s it” to cue the priest that I was done. However, when he was talking to me I remembered another, most likely venial, sin. Instead of interrupting as I probably should have done, I let him continue, absolve me, and dismiss me. On top of that, I forgot my penance already

So, was this confession valid or should I go back at the next opportunity to do it over?

If clarification is needed, please ask.

Thanks,
Coolduude

Yes its valid. Ultimately the validity of the absolution didn’t depend on you confessing your sins although if one would intentionally omit confessing sisn it would be commiting sacrilege of the Sacrament. Since you were sincere that you confessed all your sins to the best of your ability, you were validly absolved and you did not commit sacrilege.

 

[baltobetsy]

Confession of one’s venial sins is completely optional. Leaving one out has no effect on the validity of absolution.

 

[Friar_David_O.Carm]

I would also add that completion of the penance assigned does not affect the validity of absolution either.

 

[jantoniello]

You should still confess your venial sins. It is a wonderful practice, albeit not required.

Next time you are in confession, just try and remember!

 

[Damase]

I find it helpful to bring a notepad to confession. If I am afraid that I will omit confessing a sin, I write down my sins; after they have been absolved, I am careful to take the paper home and burn it. It’s nice to see my sins vanish into penitential ashes. I also use the pad to write down my penance.

This works well for confession behind a screen; the priest may be a tad curious about what you’re doing if you confess face-to-face, but I can’t imagine any priest would condemn the practice. I’ve confessed face-to-face and used my notepad, and the priest merely commented that I ought to be sure to burn that paper once I got home.

 

[newyorkcatholic]

You only need to confess mortal sins. If you unintentionally forget a mortal sin, confess it next time, you were still absolved this time.

If this really bothers you, you could optionally tell the priest next time you go to confession that you forgot your last penance so you replaced it with x.

 

[puzzleannie]

Hi all,

So, was this confession valid or should I go back at the next opportunity to do it over?

If clarification is needed, please ask.

Thanks,
Coolduude

I don’t even need to read the rest, and you don’t need to share it, and it will be for your spiritual health to get out of that habit of getting 3rd party post-mortems on your confessions. The priest absolved you. The sacrament was valid. Period.