Confession of all sins?

[Craisin]

So I recently went to my second Sacrament of Reconciliation. My first confession a few weeks ago was by personal appointment with a very holy priest who was quite patient and understanding of the circumstances (having to confess years), so was able to take some extra time. This second confession, I decided I should probably try going to a scheduled confessional time at a local parish since I figured that would be the way I would be doing it the majority of the time in the future.

During this second confessional, I took approximately 7 - 10 minutes or so to confess all my sins. It felt rather uncomfortable and rushed since I knew a good 10 others were standing in line behind me, so even so decided to try and condense some of them into one grouping. Once finished, the priest kindly told me that I “don’t have to confess every sin, we would be here all night!”

While I can understand it to be rude to take so much time while others are waiting, I was under the impression that I had to confess all the sins that I remember at the time. That doesn’t mean going through every nit-pick event either, but for instance, let’s say I have road rage. I woud say “I tend to have a lot of road rage, especially when others are aggressive with me first, I’ll be aggressive back.” Then I will move on to the next grouping.

It really bothers me that I might have to cut out confessing some sins just because I don’t have the time to confess them. How do I know, then, what sins to confess and not to confess if I have a limit of less than 3 minutes? Should I confess ALL the sins I remember, or just the ones that seem most serious?

Thanks.

 

[puzzleannie]

confess all your mortal sins, that is your grave sins. a good guide to examination of conscience can help you discern these. Confess your venial sins if you have time, if there is one that is becoming a habit or causes extra concern. The people waiting in line are not your problem. Be brief, just say the name of the sin, how often or how frequently, or how long and move along. don’t give the details or backstory unless the priest asks for more information. If he told you that you have been absolved of all your sins, then you have been absolved of all your sins, unless you deliberately held one back. this will become easier with practice. The best help I can think of is to do a brief examination of your day, including your sins, before bed each night, say the act of contrition. With this habit, you will have a much better idea of what to say each time you go to confession–an also when you need confession again. but do not monday-morning quarterback your confession. If the priest absolved you, you have been absolved.

 

[brigid12]

confess all your mortal sins, that is your grave sins. a good guide to examination of conscience can help you discern these. Confess your venial sins if you have time, if there is one that is becoming a habit or causes extra concern. The people waiting in line are not your problem. Be brief, just say the name of the sin, how often or how frequently, or how long and move along. don’t give the details or backstory unless the priest asks for more information. If he told you that you have been absolved of all your sins, then you have been absolved of all your sins, unless you deliberately held one back. this will become easier with practice. The best help I can think of is to do a brief examination of your day, including your sins, before bed each night, say the act of contrition. With this habit, you will have a much better idea of what to say each time you go to confession–an also when you need confession again. but do not monday-morning quarterback your confession. If the priest absolved you, you have been absolved.

 

[Joe_Kelley]

All mortal sins must be repented and confessed. For venial sins there may be merit in confessing only one or two for which you are truly sorry, and are ready to make a sincere attempt to avoid in the future, rather than rattling off a grocery list of sins without reflection on them. Working on them one or two at time may make more progress than taking on the whole overwhelming load at once. **