Confession for plenary indulgence

[Loboto-Me]

When we go to confession, we are to confess our mortal/serious sins. If someone plans to go to confession in light of a plenary indulgence or devotion but had been to confession let’s say a few weeks prior and hasn’t sinned other than venially what is a penitent to do?

I’m suspecting that the indulgence would be valid, but then is the penitent wasting the priest’s time? Is the sacrament still valid if the penitent confesses only venial sins?

Any enlightment would be appreciated,

 

[KathySFSD]

I think that for some indulgences you have to tell the confessor that your confession is for the purpose of gaining the indulgence. The First Saturdays come to mind, but I could be wrong.

 

[jmcrae]

I think that for some indulgences you have to tell the confessor that your confession is for the purpose of gaining the indulgence. The First Saturdays come to mind, but I could be wrong.

Really? Although I think they assume that, since the penance they give is the First Saturday penance. I’ve never actually told the priest I was doing that, but he obviously figured it out.

In any case, venial sins are valid matter for the Confessional. I have also read (but have never had occasion to make use of it or try it out, since I have no shortage of unconfessed venial sins) that if you have no venial sins to confess, you can express sorrow for sins previously confessed.

 

[Loboto-Me]

Great info!

I think I’ll just tell the priest that it’s for an indulgence… but, if I should be so blessed as to be perfectly sinless I will just express sorrow for my past sins. Then I’ll leave red-faced because the priest will think i’m scrupulous! I better stay behind the screen

What is the “first saturdays” indulgence? I recall my parents doing first saturdays but being a teenager at the time, I never retained the reason. Oye! This “cradle Catholic” has so very much to learn!

 

[Mystic_Banana]

I think you’re becoming perhaps self-persecutory in the face of (certainly relative to me) appears to be a fairly guiltless phase of your life. I also suspect God can see beyond technicalities and appreciate your devotion.

It’s never wrong to go to Confession,(unless you really have no sins to confess, in which case it’s pointless, I suppose - I’ve never managed this feat, personally )… anyway, most Priests are happy to serve, I find. Unless you’re taking up space in a queue (!), I see nothing to worry about,personally

I’d also suggest concentrating on other sacred practices - it’s Lent, afterall. I went to the wrong Church recently for Stations of the Cross, and I’m looking forward to going to the right one (should have read the email more carefully) - at the right time!

God bless!

 

[Claire_from_DE]

When we go to confession, we are to confess our mortal/serious sins. If someone plans to go to confession in light of a plenary indulgence or devotion but had been to confession let’s say a few weeks prior and hasn’t sinned other than venially what is a penitent to do?

I’m suspecting that the indulgence would be valid, but then is the penitent wasting the priest’s time? Is the sacrament still valid if the penitent confesses only venial sins?

Any enlightment would be appreciated,

My goodness, did you really mean to ask this question? Hopefully, we would all get to a point in our lives that we would not commit mortal sins, maybe not even deliberate venial sins. We would still need to confess failures in our struggles against our faults and weaknesses and ask God for help in overcoming them. Of course the sacrament is valid if the penitent confesses only venial sins!

Otherwise, a person would have to go out and commit a mortal sin in order to go to confession for the purpose of gaining an indulgence. That would surely not be the church’s intent. It boggles the mind.

 

[Loboto-Me]

You’re right I am very self-persecutory (new word for me), I even have a hard time forgiving myself for the effects of sins done long ago (only a few) but I do see myself as extremely non-worthy, I’m working on it. Thank’s banana for the new word and the ideas

Now as for “did I mean to ask that question?” I sure did because I like to cover all my bases. I’m not good at conveying my thoughts clearly so I wanted as much information as could be thrown at me. Hmm, I guess there are such things as “stupid questions” after all. I was always told that there wasn’t such a thing in non-catholic forums.

I guess if I should ever ever ever go to confession without a sin, I could probably just discuss some of my many faults.

 

[Mystic_Banana]

You’re right I am very self-persecutory (new word for me), I even have a hard time forgiving myself for the effects of sins done long ago (only a few) but I do see myself as extremely non-worthy, I’m working on it. Thank’s banana for the new word and the ideas

I guess if I should ever ever ever go to confession without a sin, I could probably just discuss some of my many faults.

Not that self-persecution over faults is neccesarily against Church doctrine - but I just think you’re worrying yourself too much over technicalities where I’d say your dedication and contrite nature appears exemplary.

Well, I’ve had a confession or 2 of a very vaguely general nature covering far too many sins. I’m not sure, however, if I’d feel like putting a Priest through all the details of all of those same sins, just because I had an easy time on a technical level… technically, these things are forgiven, but I similarly feel guilt for sins that have technically been dealt with. A feeling of getting off too likely? Perhaps that sense of conrinued guilt is a penance in itself.

Guilt over sin is a difficult thing to shake off - as is sin. Actually, I see you as an inspiration - you’re doing better than me, I suspect!