Confession Question

[KarrollKid04]

Hello,

I went to Confession this morning with a list of things to confess. During my confession, the priest interjected something and then moved into penance and absolution. Fortunately, I was near the end of my confession anyways and had confessed my serious sins, but after leaving the confessional, I realized I did have one remaining sin to confess. (It dealt with fasting/absitence – I only wanted to confess that years ago when I was a teenager and poorly catechized I had not followed the rules of the Church in this matter, but in recent years I have followed these rules very strictly. So I’m not even sure if this was serious, and I have certainly gone to confession since this sin occured but I just never thought to confess it before.)

So I guess my question is: because I did not mention this sin (and it was unintentional that I neglected to mention it), does it invalidate the rest of my confession? The next time I go to confession, I will certainly confess the sin about fasting/abstinence, but do I also have to confess all the other sins I had previously confessed this morning?

I hope this is not coming off as too scrupulous, but I would really like to know what the Church teaches about this.

Thanks!
John

 

[JRKH]

No it does not invalidate anything. As a matter of fact, since your intent was to confess, and the ommision was accidental, the “forgotten” sin was forgiven by the absolution as well.

Of course if you’d like, go ahead and mention it the next time you go.

Peace
James

 

[Joe_5859]

Yes, James is right. Your Confession is valid and your sins our forgiven. The only thing that would invalidate it would be if you intentionally left out a mortal sin (as we are encouraged, but not obligated, to confess venial sins).

 

[Debra_C]

James is absolutely right!

I had similar questions as I was coming into the Church and made my first confession (it was quite the doozy, as I had some 33 years of stuff to go through). I started having nightmares about all the things I had forgotten and went running back to the priest a few days later. I confessed all I had omitted and he advised me that there really is no need to worry so. As long as you have not intentionally left out a mortal sin, you only need to mention it next time you go.

Pax Christi!

 

[Mrs_Sally]

A situation like this is why is is also a good idea to always confess your mortal sins first. We are obliged to confess them, but not required to confess venial sins. So if for any reason your confession is interrupted or sidetracked (ie, the priest asking a question, etc.) you will have confessed what you NEED to confess.

Of course, the grace we receive from confession is a wonderful thing and confessing venial sins certainly helps us to grow stronger and so avoid mortal sins more readily.

 

[JerrySeibert]

Karoll, All are correct. My Pastor explained the same thing to me. I had conducted no examination and just happened to stop by Church while they were conducting a weekly Reconciliation.
“I thought, Oh boy, 15 years for me.” I had the same thoughts. what did I forget? Does God now think I lied by not confessing those things I forgot?
I was told the same thing. All sins are forgiven.

 

[cctabb]

Karoll, I would really sincerely doubt that what you described is an actual sin. In order for sin to happen one needs full knowledge that what one is doing is sinful. During your teen years without proper education on the subject failing to follow abstinence and fasting rules would not be a sin simply because at the time you did not know better.

And all venial sins are forgiven during the mass. I’d say that that sin was already forgiven prior to you going to reconciliation.

Also, keep in mind that if you had a mortal sin that you did not confess by reason of simple forgetfulness, you are required to confess that sin at the next available opportunity.