Confession question re: forgotten sins

[Inman]

My understanding is that if you forget to mention a mortal sin, it is forgiven, but you must confess it at your next confession.

Assuming this is correct, my questions are:

1. How long of a period do you have to go to back to confession and confess the forgotten sin? For example, is the next saturday after you remember soon enough or do you need to make an appointment for a confession?
2. May a person receive communion during between the first confession and the second confession when the forgotten sin is confessed?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Revert07]

Assuming the person truly forgot to confess a sin, it is still forgiven. If the penitent subsequently remembers a grave sin that was accidentally omitted from their confession, they should bring it up at their next confession. However, since the forgotten sin was already forgiven, the person can receive communion and doesn’t need to break their legs to get to confession immediately upon remembering the sin. You might be more likely to remember it if you go sooner instead of later but a special appointment isn’t necessary if the sin was truly forgotten.

On the other hand, deliberately omitting a grave sin from confession out of embarrassment or fear or any other reason is in itself a grave sin. In that case, none of the confessed sins are forgiven either. The individual is still in a state of mortal sin, cannot receive communion without committing further grave sin, and must repeat the entire confession, adding the sin of deliberately omitting a sin in their last confession

On a personal note, my memory isn’t what it used to be so I jot down my sins as I do my examination of conscience and take the note in with me.

 

[Orionthehunter]

Assuming the person truly forgot to confess a sin, it is still forgiven. If the penitent subsequently remembers a grave sin that was accidentally omitted from their confession, they should bring it up at their next confession. However, since the forgotten sin was already forgiven, the person can receive communion and doesn’t need to break their legs to get to confession immediately upon remembering the sin. You might be more likely to remember it if you go sooner instead of later but a special appointment isn’t necessary if the sin was truly forgotten.

On the other hand, deliberately omitting a grave sin from confession out of embarrassment or fear or any other reason is in itself a grave sin. In that case, none of the confessed sins are forgiven either. The individual is still in a state of mortal sin, cannot receive communion without committing further grave sin, and must repeat the entire confession, adding the sin of deliberately omitting a sin in their last confession

On a personal note, my memory isn’t what it used to be so I jot down my sins as I do my examination of conscience and take the note in with me.

Revert is exactly correct. I do want add some additional information.

We are always required to confess those sins we recall during our examination of conscience as we have specifically engaged the Holy Spirit to aid us to make a good, sincere, and thorough confession.

However, if we are “haunted” by past sins (which may have been confessed and we forgot that or were sincrely forgotten in past confessions) outside of preparation of confession, I personally consider it may be the work of Satan in the recollection. For me, the introduction of doubt about the power of the Sacrament or the depth of God’s Love/Forgiveness is powerful fodder for Satan. Satan is one tricky and manipulative SOB.

Thus, I always counsel to trust the Holy Spirit in your examination of conscience, go with an eager heart to face your sinfulness to the Sacrament, and then leave w/ confidence assurance you have a clean heart.

God Bless

 

[Inman]

Thanks for the responses and encouragement.

I knew deliberately holding back was in and of itself a mortal sin, but I didn’t realize that it invalidated absolution of the confessed sins.

I am a recent convert and I frequently remember something I have done in my past, but of course only after confession. I tried to do a thorough confession for my first one, but 33 years worth is a lot to remember. I also struggle with second guessing myself about whether I have given enough detail about something. I suspect I will be doing clean up confessions for these past sins that I periodically remember for quite a while.

 

[RosalieM]

I had the same concern as you after returning to the church after a long absence. I just found this on the internet. Hope this helps:

I have recently returned to the faith after many years and have received reconciliation regularly. Now I am becoming aware of many past transgressions. Does this make my previous confessions invalid? Is it necessary to spend hours in confession, so that the past sins that had been forgotten can now be forgiven?

Thank you for asking the question.

What a wonderful Sacrament!
The Sacrament of Reconciliation Confession ] brings us healing friendship with God, reconciliation with the wider Christian community and with one another. Thank God for his love in giving us, his Church, this gift.

Of course, the penitent must be sincere about their confession of fault, about their sorrow [contrition], and about their sincere intention and resolution to change their ways for the future and even to make amends for the injury they have caused, if this is possible.

On what is to be confessed, the Code of Canon Law in its legal way says:

§1 "The faithful are bound to confess, in kind and number, all grave sins committed after baptism, of which after careful examination of conscience they are aware, which have not yet been directly pardoned by the keys of the Church, and which have not been confessed in an individual confession.’
§2 ‘The faithful are recommended to confess also venial sins.’ [Canon 988 Code of Canon Law]

Not the most pastorally sensitive way of saying what needs to be said, but that is the straight ‘regulation’.

Being human it is all too easy to forget the things we would rather not remember! But If there was no intention to conceal or hide those “many past transgressions” to which you refer in your question, when you were first reconciled with the Church in the Sacrament, then there is no question about the validity of that Sacrament or of the reconciliation that flows from it
through the power of God’s Holy Spirit. I am tempted to suggest, that God already knows us all too well, and as nothing is hidden from God, as long as we sincerely make our confession and with true sorrow seek absolution then all is well.

Being human we still have imperfections. It is sometimes not easy for us to accept that God has forgiven us totally, and accepted us totally, embracing us in friendship and love, just as the ‘Prodigal’ Father, in the parable told by Jesus, accepted his returning Prodigal Son! Some people may tend to become anxious about ‘little’ things or ‘big’ things, and to allow these past matters to occupy their minds and even to disturb their present state of peace of mind. So knowing yourself best, may I suggest, you either forget all about those past transgressions - now forgiven, or if you wish, speak with your prudent Confessor or Spiritual Adviser about them so that in either event, these past events can be laid to rest.

Personally I rejoice with you, and join with the all the saints on hearing that one sinner has repented. For the words of Jesus in the gospel addressed to the woman accused of adultery, ring out through the centuries, “Neither do I condemn you,” said Jesus. “Go away, and don’t sin any more.” [John
8:11]

Peter Harrison

 

[Digitonomy]

If the penitent subsequently remembers a grave sin that was accidentally omitted from their confession, they should bring it up at their next confession. However, since the forgotten sin was already forgiven…

On the other hand, deliberately omitting a grave sin from confession out of embarrassment or fear or any other reason is in itself a grave sin. In that case, none of the confessed sins are forgiven either. The individual is still in a state of mortal sin, cannot receive communion without committing further grave sin, and must repeat the entire confession, adding the sin of deliberately omitting a sin in their last confession.

So would deliberately omitting an already forgiven, but previously forgotten sin have the same effect, since one would be committing the sin of disobedience?

 

[RosalieM]

I am sorry for the lengthy preceding post.
To clarify further, my reference was in regards only to the forgotten sins of the first (initial) confession one makes after being away from the church for many years, even decades. Aside from the internet research, I was told by a priest that those forgotten sins are forgiven and gone, no matter what they are. So I would think there is no need to deal with them as they surface unless the person feels a need to do so
.
I believe that in any confessions from that one forward, a person must definitely confess forgotten sins in a future confessions.

 

[Revert07]

So would deliberately omitting an already forgiven, but previously forgotten sin have the same effect, since one would be committing the sin of disobedience?

I’ve never thought about it to that extent before. Everything I’ve read and heard says that if we remember a mortal/grave sin that we accidentally omitted from our previous confession, we must confess it at the next confession. Must is the the word that is always used.

That would lead me to think that if you then deliberately omitted a previously forgotten but forgiven sin from your next confession, you have just committed another sin. Whether that sin is another mortal/grave sin or a venial sin, I don’t know.

 

[Orionthehunter]

I’ve never thought about it to that extent before. Everything I’ve read and heard says that if we remember a mortal/grave sin that we accidentally omitted from our previous confession, we must confess it at the next confession. Must is the the word that is always used.

That would lead me to think that if you then deliberately omitted a previously forgotten but forgiven sin from your next confession, you have just committed another sin. Whether that sin is another mortal/grave sin or a venial sin, I don’t know.

You are correct. If we remember a sin of grave matter during our examination of conscience that we didn’t previously confess (even if it precedes the previous confession), we are required to confess it.

However, we are not required to do so because it wasn’t previously forgiven if sincerely forgotten. It is because the Church teaches that we are to humbly and contritely face all of our sins. Read this section of the Catechism in total as it will give clarity to this issue.

 

[RosalieM]

I repeat that I am referring to a confession made by someone returning to the church after decades of being away from the church. In this situation I was told that all sins, even the forgotten ones, are forgiven if the person is contrite and has honestly (and understandably) forgotten some of their sins.

 

[Sir_Knight]

I repeat that I am referring to a confession made by someone returning to the church after decades of being away from the church. In this situation I was told that all sins, even the forgotten ones, are forgiven if the person is contrite and has honestly (and understandably) forgotten some of their sins.

Yes, ALL of that person’s sins are forgiven if they did not INTENTIONALLY withhold a mortal sin. However, if they recall a mortal sin that they did not confess, that sin should STILL be confessed at the next confession.

 

[mamar]

ok…still a little confusing to me…i am one of those catholics that left the church and then came back (yea!) about 5 years ago. when i went to confession for the first time after many years i was extremely scared/anxious…pretty much almost threw up…i said:

“bless me father for i have sinned, it has been…hold on to your seat, 20 years since my last confession!” i thought that i could break the ice like that by making a joke…he pretended to fall off his seat and then i proceeded to break out into hysteria and tears.

he was so kind and caring…he went on to explain to me how to make a confession, he educated me…but we mostly spoke of my current sins…like being a wife (nagging) and being a mom of young children (losing temper)…i never told him about all the awful and sinful things i did in college…

when we were done, i made an act of contrition. father said, “i absolve you of all your ***past ***and present sins in the name of the father son and holy spirit. you are as clean as at your baptism”(or something like that).

i never said outloud those things…i have been to confession many times since then but we talk about today, here and now…

was i truely absolved of my past sins?

 

[Orionthehunter]

ok…still a little confusing to me…i am one of those catholics that left the church and then came back (yea!) about 5 years ago. when i went to confession for the first time after many years i was extremely scared/anxious…pretty much almost threw up…i said:

“bless me father for i have sinned, it has been…hold on to your seat, 20 years since my last confession!” i thought that i could break the ice like that by making a joke…he pretended to fall off his seat and then i proceeded to break out into hysteria and tears.

he was so kind and caring…he went on to explain to me how to make a confession, he educated me…but we mostly spoke of my current sins…like being a wife (nagging) and being a mom of young children (losing temper)…i never told him about all the awful and sinful things i did in college…

when we were done, i made an act of contrition. father said, “i absolve you of all your ***past ***and present sins in the name of the father son and holy spirit. you are as clean as at your baptism”(or something like that).

i never said outloud those things…i have been to confession many times since then but we talk about today, here and now…

was i truely absolved of my past sins?

Unless, you chose to intentionally withhold sins, they are forgiven. Furthermore, if you don’t recall past unconfessed sins in your examination of conscience, you are not expected to confess them. Most importantly, Confessors are usually well-trained and grounded in the healing mystery of the Sacrament. If you have doubts, go to him and trust in his counsel. I only interject in this to make sure that those who suffer from scrupulousity don’t end up losing faith in the Sacrament and its power or drive themselves to distraction.

 

[Sir_Knight]

we are not required to do so because it wasn’t previously forgiven if sincerely forgotten. It is because the Church teaches that we are to humbly and contritely face all of our sins. Read this section of the Catechism in total as it will give clarity to this issue.

We ARE required to confess it. From the Catholic Encyclopedia for Home and School, Vol, 3 pg 123 it is stated …

“If a penitent genuinely forgets to mention a mortal sin, it is still forgiven by the sacrament. If it is remembered later, however, it should be confessed at the next opportunity by saying, “In my last confession I forgot to mention…” One may continue to receive Holy Communion during this interval.”

should [auxiliary verb] shood - must; ought; used to indicate duty, propriety, or expediency.

Source.
​

• Forgotten sins SHOULD be confessed at the next opportunity.
• Forgotten sins «must» be confessed at the next opportunity.
• Forgotten sins «ought to» be confessed at the next opportunity.
• Forgotten sins «are expected to» be confessed at the next opportunity.
• A person «has a duty to» confessed forgotten sins at the next opportunity.
  du·ty [nown] doo-tee - (1) something that one is expected or required to do by moral or legal obligation; (2) the binding or obligatory force of something that is morally or legally right; moral or legal obligation.
  
  Source.​
• A person has a «binding obligation» to confessed forgotten sins at the next opportunity.
• A person is «morally required» to confessed forgotten sins at the next opportunity.

 

[followerofGod]

I have a question on this topic and am not sure if here is where I should be asking but I guess it couldn’t hurt. I was brought up as strong believer in Christ and God. as I aged and life hastened I grew further away from God than I would have liked and it wasn’t until recently that I had committed a Sin that immediately tore me apart. I stopped going to church a long time ago but still believed in god and followed him so naturally I forgot how confession worked seeming as how my first and only one was at my fist communion. Any way I was being eaten alive by this Sin I committed, not able to sleep or eat so i finally told my mother and she was caring and supportive but still i felt wrong so i decided I needed to go to confession because I had read that God forgives us our sins through confession. My mother contacted a priest and I went to the confession. I told him i didnt know exactly how it worked so he walked me through it. when we got to the part about starting with the sins farthest in my past and working up to the present I looked and found obvious ones but with the stress of the most serious sin on my mind and the confession thing i could now say i had probably forgotten some things that probably should have been said. things like not going to church every Sunday and such or specifics about some of the other sins like how often. The priest didn’t really ask and I wasn’t exactly thinking about it at the time. Are those sins forgiven as well or am i to blame for not searching deep enough to find every sin i have committed and thus not forgiven? and do you confess sins you have already asked forgiveness for at every confession?

I guess the full question for me would be is sin not forgiven or even added if I did not confess them all, not intentionally but with more careful thought may have come across them and been able to confess them? I didn’t really think to prepare for it. for one I wasn’t really clear on the full ins and outs of confession and 2, I really wanted to get my current sin taken care of, it was kind of flooding my mind and soul. I am not trying to make excuses for myself and will take the consequences for my lack of knowledge and preparation.

this is really bothering me because I truly am sorry for them even the ones I can’t clearly remember. does anyone have any ideas about what i should do or if i should do anything at all?

thank you.
God Bless!

 

[Revert07]

If I’m following your post correctly, you didn’t intentionally omit sins so they have been forgiven along with those that you verbally confessed. Any grave sins that have since been remembered though must be confessed at your next confession. Mentioning the previously forgotten grave sins is an act of humility and a sign of our sorrow and repentence.

Venial sins and imperfections do not need to be confessed although there is spiritual benefit to doing so. Those that were forgotten during confession and later remembered do not need to be mentioned at the next confession.

If things are bothering you, discuss them with your confessor and trust in the Lord. Certainly we need to examine our consciences closely and carefully but various factors can interfere with our memories, including the stress some feel about going to confession, especially if it’s been awhile. Remember, God is loving and merciful, not a bean counter. He knows the whether the contrition you feel in your heart is real.

 

[puzzleannie]

My understanding is that if you forget to mention a mortal sin, it is forgiven, but you must confess it at your next confession.

.

you end your confession with “for these and for all the sins of my past life I am heartily sorry.” All your sins, even those you forgot, have been forgiven. To believe otherwise is to doubt the efficacy of the sacrament. It is certainly a good spiritual discipline to confess these sins the next time, but it is not an absolute necessity. It is an even better discipline to form the habit of a daily examen so sins are not forgotten. If the same sin is habitually “forgotten” that denotes a need for pastoral counsel and spiritual direction. If you find yourself rationalizing and not confessing what needs to be confessed, that is a sign of a deeper problem. If you intentionally omit a mortal sin, your confession is invalid and possibly sacreligious. Work on the reason why you forget.

 

[Orionthehunter]

you end your confession with “for these and for all the sins of my past life I am heartily sorry.” All your sins, even those you forgot, have been forgiven. To believe otherwise is to doubt the efficacy of the sacrament. It is certainly a good spiritual discipline to confess these sins the next time, but it is not an absolute necessity. It is an even better discipline to form the habit of a daily examen so sins are not forgotten. If the same sin is habitually “forgotten” that denotes a need for pastoral counsel and spiritual direction. If you find yourself rationalizing and not confessing what needs to be confessed, that is a sign of a deeper problem. If you intentionally omit a mortal sin, your confession is invalid and possibly sacreligious. Work on the reason why you forget.

We ARE required to confess it. From the Catholic Encyclopedia for Home and School, Vol, 3 pg 123 it is stated …

“If a penitent genuinely forgets to mention a mortal sin, it is still forgiven by the sacrament. If it is remembered later, however, it should be confessed at the next opportunity by saying, “In my last confession I forgot to mention…” One may continue to receive Holy Communion during this interval.”

I agree with both these posts and it is not the contradiction that it appears.

First, to Sir Knight’s post. This is the Church’s teaching and it one to which we are to agree. I do take a bit of exception to the semantic effort to make it a “binding obligation” and “morally required” in a way that it would appear to be on the same level as our weekly Mass obligation, or annual Confession obligation. Should does not equal required.

Second, Puzzleannie is making a great point. All of our sins are forgiven in a complete and sincere confession, even the ones we have forgotten. To think otherwise is the influence of Satan who wants us to doubt the abundant gift of this Sacrament.

But, the Church’s teachings pointed out by Sir Knight is we are to confess grave sins since our last confession, venial sins that seem to be so recurring that they are becoming a stain on our soul such we need additional graces to overcome, and “forgotten mortal sins”.

The context of the subject of this thread is those which we are reminded of especially during our examination of conscience. We are to trust that these are items brought to the forfront by the Holy Spirit and He wants them addressed in the context of the Sacrament (even though already given) for OUR spiritual benefit.

Like puzzle, I am concerned that some misinterpretation of the Church’s teaching on “forgotten sins” can be very harmful for those good souls who struggle with scrupulousity which is a very effective and common tool of the Evil One to attack our souls and deny an understanding of the limitless abundance of God’s love for us and the extent of Divine Mercy.

For those who don’t suffer from or have scrupulous tendencies, there is good in putting in the memory bank for future confession regardless of when/how we are reminded of a forgotten sin. It is a outward sign of our contrition and it opens us to more graces. This is why the Church teaches what it does as mentioned by Sir Knight. It is guidance to help us to grow more Holy and better walk with Christ. This is why the Church uses the word “should” and not something stronger.

But, like puzzle, I believe that there are many people who struggle w/ scrupulousity. When one such person is reminded of a forgotten sin outside of Confession or examination of conscience, just say a little prayer to God to thank Him for His previous forgiveness with the knowledge that you won’t allow Satan to raise doubt about the power of this Sacrament and go forward in confidence that God loves you. Don’t give that “forgotten sin” another thought.

 

[Sir_Knight]

First, to Sir Knight’s post. This is the Church’s teaching and it one to which we are to agree. I do take a bit of exception to the semantic effort to make it a “binding obligation” and “morally required” in a way that it would appear to be on the same level as our weekly Mass obligation, or annual Confession obligation. Should does not equal required.

. . .

the Church uses the word “should” and not something stronger.

Should = Must = ought to = have a duty to … source.

 

[Orionthehunter]

Should = Must = ought to = have a duty to … source.

The Church doesn’t say we “should” attend Mass every Sunday as there would be an element of it is recommended (even highly and strongly recommended). Must and should are not equal. There is a slight distinction. It is in this distinction that we can find the context and the essence of the teaching. It is not suggested but required that we attend Mass on Sunday (sans serious extenuating circumstances). The Church says “must”. In the matter of this thread, She says should.

Knowledge, Wisdom and Understanding come from grasping this nuance as it is important. It is about gaining graces and habits to become more Holy. It isn’t about the efficacy of the Sacrament in a good and sincere Confession. To take the extreme position of should=required, we imply that with a single forgotten sin later recalled that the first Confession was inadequate or insufficient. This is not what the Church teaches.

There is a similar tone of recommendation in the word “ought”, as in it would be a good thing to do so but I’m not required. “I ought/should clean my off my desk before going home” is different than “I must clean off my desk”. In the former, it is a good thing to do so as my boss likes clean desks but in the latter it is “required” by my boss.

Let me give you another example: We must recieve Communion once a year but we should recieve it more frequently (assuming we are properly disposed). See the distinction or nuance?

Sir Knight, for most people, you and I are on the same page. We can debate ad infinitum the nuance but in practice the nuance is meaningless- the Church only asks us to do that which is good for our souls and we should embrace these with an attitude of joy and gratitude. With this attitude, there is no distinction in what is legally required and what is suggested for our own good. Loving, serving, and gaining salvation isn’t a legalistic exercise but a pursuit grounded in Love.

But there are those among us who suffer from scrupulousity. There are a great many on CAF I’ve observed who appear to have this challenge. For them, this nuance is critical. It is to them that I direct my comments. To misinterpret this Teaching because of their scrupulousity can lead to doubt about the efficacy of the Sacrament, their ability to ever make a good Confession, and their ability to understand and grasp the infinite capacity of Divine Mercy. Such doubt is a sure formula for despair and directly contrary to the Gospel message of Faith, Hope, Love and Charity.

For these, I want them to know that they don’t have to dwell on later recalled unconfessed serious sins. They don’t have to keep a log as they will never get the list totally emptied. The Sacrament is designed to bring about reconciliation, graces and joy and not despair.