confession question

[Mel_Stones]

I know forgotten sins are forgiven during Confession. I always write down my sins during my examination of conscious but never look at it during Confession. Today during Confession (as always) I was extremely nervous and hurried and forgetful. I felt there was something I was forgetting but still didn’t look at my notes. I’m not worried about whether or not my sins are forgiven because I know they are (they were venial anyway). I was just wondering if next time I should just read my sins since I always write them anyway?

Also Father always starts with the Sign of the Cross and saying “peace be with you” - am I suppose to say something in response? He just waits patiently and I say my sins. I’ve mentioned to him more than once that I’m never confident in my knowledge of the rubric for Confession and he’s never had a response. I always just take his lack of response as a sign to keep doing what I’m doing.

Can someone spell out exactly what I’m suppose to say and do during Confession?

 

[SuscipeMeDomine]

I know forgotten sins are forgiven during Confession. I always write down my sins during my examination of conscious but never look at it during Confession. Today during Confession (as always) I was extremely nervous and hurried and forgetful. I felt there was something I was forgetting but still didn’t look at my notes. I’m not worried about whether or not my sins are forgiven because I know they are (they were venial anyway). I was just wondering if next time I should just read my sins since I always write them anyway?

I’ve never been inclined to write down my sins. First, I’d worry about dropping my list somewhere and having someone else pick it up. Yikes! But more than that, I know what the major things are that I want to confess…the things I’m not likely to forget when I’m with the priest. It doesn’t sound like your list is helping you, so why not try going without it. Go in and confess what’s truly on your mind and heart.

Also Father always starts with the Sign of the Cross and saying “peace be with you” - am I suppose to say something in response? He just waits patiently and I say my sins. I’ve mentioned to him more than once that I’m never confident in my knowledge of the rubric for Confession and he’s never had a response. I always just take his lack of response as a sign to keep doing what I’m doing.

The usual response to “peace be with you” or “the Lord be with you” is "and also with you.

My guess is that you’re doing just fine during confession. If you Google words like “guide to confession” you’ll get thousands of hits. Try this one from the Knights of Columbus: kofc.org/rc/en/publications/cis/devotional/GuideToConfession2075.pdf

 

[Bookcat]

I know forgotten sins are forgiven during Confession. I always write down my sins during my examination of conscious but never look at it during Confession. Today during Confession (as always) I was extremely nervous and hurried and forgetful. I felt there was something I was forgetting but still didn’t look at my notes. I’m not worried about whether or not my sins are forgiven because I know they are (they were venial anyway). I was just wondering if next time I should just read my sins since I always write them anyway?

only mortal sins must be confessed (and in number and kind)

no venial sin needs be confessed. they can be forgiven in other ways …though it is good and recommended to confess them…at least some of them…

One does NOT need to confess all of ones (or any) venial sins.

And if you forget one – no worries. In fact it is good to add “and all the sins of my life particularly for …those of anger (or whatever).”

it can be forgiven by the absolution

if you forget a mortal sin (not on purpose concealed) it too is forgiven --but in that case one needs to confess it in the next confession after you remember it saying prob. that you forgot it.

Venial sins can also be forgiven in Many other ways…prayer…at Mass…Holy Communion etc

it is good in fact to pick out only some …and then add that ending.

One book on this is
Frequent Confession by Benedict Baur

So what needs be confessed strictly?

if mortal -yes.

If venial – nope.

if doubtful “sin” (doubtful that you committed it) either doubtful “mortal” or doubtful at all …nope.

if one is lax -or in need of advice etc and it is a doubtful ‘mortal’ sin – it can be good to mention it–but makes sure you say it was doubtful…that you are not sure.

if one is scrupulous or have a tendency etc that way-- and it is doubtful --it is advised not to.

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