Confession question from newbie

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Mariotr16

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After being away from the Church for over 20 years I finally found the courage to go back. I was a wreck in the confessional. My Priest could hear me crying and understood my fear. I raced through “my lists” of sins. I truly felt the Holy Spirit as I left. Several days later I realized that I had forgotten to reveal all my sins. I know that my confessor forgave me of all my sins. Yet I feel I should go back and finish the list. Should I?
 
Satan knows our name and calls us by our sins

God knows our sins and calls us by name.

When you truly forget, they are forgiven in Confession.

You can mention next time, I’d suggest asking the priest “My last confession covered 20 years, and there are some things I forgot. Should I confess them now?” and then follow Father’s direction.
 
Congrats on coming back to the Church! I understand the fear of Confession. When I went to my first Confession in over 10 years, I was a nervous wreck! Thankfully, the priest I confessed to was patient and very encouraging! I would just ask the priest and see what he says.
 
Welcome back home. You have such courage and tenacity to face this. You have been forgiven so be at peace. 20 years is a long time for sinning and no doubt the list is extensive. Perhaps at your next confession mention that you did not get through all your sins. The Priest will guide you on the best course of action.
 
Welcome back! As a newbie myself, my understanding is that as long as you honestly forgot and it’s not a mortal sin, you’re absolved of your sins. If you feel that you need to confess them then go ahead and do so, But no need to do so unless it’s a mortal sin.
 
Aren’t we strange creatures? We pay scarce attention to the burden of sin on our souls. We tend to ignore the fact that sin, and only sin, separates us from God. Yet, when it comes time to be reconciled with God; ponder that: reconciled with our Creator - we freak out.

Let us see sin for what it is: the destroyer of souls. Let us see confession for what it is: an act of humility which greatly angers the devil and greatly pleases God.
 
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I came back after 18 years so I understand. Congratulations and well done on returning. I’m sure the Holy Spirit was right there.

I agree with Elf, in your next confession you can mention the sins that you accidentally didn’t get said, but no need to refrain from Communion or rush to get to another confession right away.

You might have some other sins pop into your mind from the period you were away from the Church. Just mention them in confession as they come up. I think it took me about five confessions to deal with all of the old sins that would crop up occasionally in my mind, having been forgotten till then.
 
If my understanding is correct you fail to be absolved from sins you deliberately conceal. I do not believe that simply forgetting to mention a sin has any impact on the absolution you received.

As others have advised for you peace of mind it may be a good idea to raise this issue next time you go to confession.

Be at peace and welcome home!
 
You have been absolved of your sins.
Welcome back to being a practicing Catholic.
God bless you!
 
Thanks for the advice. I’ll be going back this Saturday with a much calmer frame of mind.
 
I remember going to confession for the first time in 9 years. The relief and unburdening I felt leaving was awesome even though looking back perhaps the standard “formula” wasn’t quite followed…
 
Welcome back home! I understand your fear very well. Since you did not deliberately hold anything back, you were forgiven. You might want to mention those sins at your next Confession. Don’t feel bad about forgetting your sins, I would have if I was really nervous.
 
OP. Remember that many converts have between 20-70 years of sins to confess and the Church understands that it is impossible to remember every sin. All the Church asks of us is that we do our best.
 
Everyone, I thank you for your advice. Just got back and I feel much better. I am fortunate to have a fantastic priest.
 
Mariotr16 said:
After being away from the Church for over 20 years I finally found the courage to go back. I was a wreck in the confessional. My Priest could hear me crying and understood my fear. I raced through “my lists” of sins. I truly felt the Holy Spirit as I left. Several days later I realized that I had forgotten to reveal all my sins. I know that my confessor forgave me of all my sins. Yet I feel I should go back and finish the list. Should I?
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You should mention them (number and kind) if they were mortal sins, even though you were absolved for them.
 
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