Confession - not prepared - still valid?

[DiZent]

I went to confession yesterday, but had not prepared myself - had not done examination of conscience. My mind went blank & I could not even remember all the words to the Act of Contrition. I received absolution & did my penance. Is this valid?

 

[JRS_88]

I say yes. You were absolved. Not remembering the A of C has no affect on that.

Most of the Roman Rite confessionals I’ve been in have had the A of C hanging in there or taped up on the door.
Once I was very nervous and the priest got me started and I remembered the A of C immediately

 

[Usige]

I went to confession yesterday, but had not prepared myself - had not done examination of conscience. My mind went blank & I could not even remember all the words to the Act of Contrition. I received absolution & did my penance. Is this valid?

While not perfect, if you did not intentionally withhold specific mortal sins it is valid. I have done an examine and then went in and perhaps drew a blank on something after Father asked me a few questions (dangers of a memory like Swiss cheese). As one confessor told me, we should have sorrow for all our sins, remembered and unremembered. We aren’t expected to have 100% perfect recall, so the intent is not 100% accuracy so much as contrition by not consciously hiding our faults and sins.

If you later remember a mortal sin that you had forgotten, then you can tell the priest at your next confession that you had forgotten X, Y and Z at a previous confession. Note that this is for people who do not suffer from scruples. Scrupulous people should be guided by their confessor and not go digging for any forgotten sins.

 

[BoomBoomMancini]

As said above, it’s perfectly valid, provided you weren’t consciously withholding stuff.

 

[Gertabelle]

I went to confession yesterday, but had not prepared myself - had not done examination of conscience. My mind went blank & I could not even remember all the words to the Act of Contrition. I received absolution & did my penance. Is this valid?

Absolutely it’s valid!

The Act of Contrition is not required for a valid confession. When we’ve had really long lines (usually during Lent), Father will tell us to pray the Act of Contrition while we wait in line or afterwards.

The examination of conscience is to help you grow in holiness by seeing where you lack holiness. It will probably help you have greater remorse for your sins.

And I don’t know about others, but when I have a mortal sin(s) on my conscience, I already know it. An examination of conscience – for me – doesn’t generally unearth hidden mortal sins. And mortal sins are the only sins that MUST be confessed (what sin, and how many times – no further detail necessary).

Be at peace. :hug3:

 

[PJM]

I went to confession yesterday, but had not prepared myself - had not done examination of conscience. My mind went blank & I could not even remember all the words to the Act of Contrition. I received absolution & did my penance. Is this valid?

YES

Based on the Power of the KEYS [Mt 16:15-19] and your having no intent to defraud!