Confession question

[frenchbeatle]

This question makes me feel weird for asking, but here goes.

I went to Confession today after Mass, around 12:30 pm. One of the sins I confessed was gossiping. I only recently found out how bad it was to do, and it’s something I’ve been doing a lot, especially with my coworkers. But I’ve decided to stop doing it, especially now that I know how bad it is. After confession, I figured, “OK, now I’m good to go for Holy Week.” Also, I’m working on completing the First Friday/Saturday devotions, which requrie Confession and receiving the Eucharist.

Just one problem: not two hours later, I slipped up on this one and gossiped about my supervisor. The church I went to for my original confession offers them later on this afternoon. Is it OK to go to this sacrament twice in one day? Also, in the beginning, when I say how long it’s been since my last confession, should I say 3 hours? No other church that I know of offers confessions during the Triduum, so this would be my last chance. Thanks for your help.

 

[Garyjohn2]

I think it would be fine to go again if you want to. Just be honest with your priest. You can even tell him you feel silly or awkward going back again a short time later…I’m sure he’ll be understanding.

Good luck to you!

 

[amdannemiller]

You can go to confession twice in the same day. Remember, no one is perfect, you are not the only one who does the same sin again, right after confession. We are humans, and we make mistakes. Just get up and try again! I will pray for you!

 

[uxordepp]

It is wonderful that you have the option of going twice in one day!

I suspect that if you go to confession frequently (maybe not every three hours…at least not all the time!) while you are trying to roust the gossip habit, you will deal with it fairly quickly and thoroughly.

Have a Blessed Triduum

 

[Mrs_Sally]

You can go twice in one day. Not sure if you still have that option though considering the time.

Please do also consider that usually gossip is a venial sin and that you are only recently aware of it’s sinfulness at all. You can wait until later to confess this is sacramental confession and rely on the grace imparted through the Eucharist to assist you as you work to break this bad habit.

Frequent confession (weekly, monthly) will help very much as you work through this. Ask your priest for advice also. And do consider the ordinary methods of breaking bad habits–maybe take your breaks with a different group of co-workers, start conversations about different subjects that don’t lead as easily to gossip, etc.

This is a difficult issue for me as well. I will be praying for you.

 

[frenchbeatle]

Thanks for the replies and the prayers, everyone. I did not end up going yesterday afternoon, mostly because as Sally said, I realized that it was venial not mortal, so I would be able to go to Communion. It is good to know that if this ever happens again, I have the option of a repeat confession.

This was a good experience, though, since it showed me just how ingrained gossip is in my normal conversation with my coworkers. It just came out of me yesterday before I had realized what I said. This is going to be a tough one to root out.

I do plan on going to confession again in the next week or so, as I’d like to celebrate Divine Mercy Sunday as best as I can.

Again, thank you to everyone who replied and have a blessed Holy Week and Easter!

 

[puzzleannie]

Just one problem: not two hours later, I slipped up on this one and gossiped about my supervisor. The church I went to for my original confession offers them later on this afternoon. Is it OK to go to this sacrament twice in one day? .

you are absolutely convinced this was a mortal sin, the matter involved was grave, enough to separate you completely from union with Christ, you did it intentionally with full knowledge and intent to commit a mortal sin? if not, save it for you next confession when you confess your venial sins, and pray every day for help in overcoming this habit. that is the advice I imagine a priest might give you if you confess the same day, but if it causes you stress, ask him yourself.

 

[cctabb]

I’m of two minds on this. Yes, receiving the sacrament of reconciliation twice in one day is absolutely allowed. Remember along with your situation, one must confess any mortal sin that was forgotten at the first opportunity once one remembers. So if you had remembered a mortal sin that you forgot to confess and you could go confess again since the opportunity was there.

That was a long way of saying yes twice (or even more) times in one day is fine. (But really, after the first time of remembering it would be a good thing to do a thorough examination of conscious before going for the 3rd.)

So yes go again if you really feel the need. Going again might help you remember to “think first, stay safe from sin.”

I’ve got an ongoing issue that frequent confession helps keep in check. “Do I really want to have to go to confession again?” if often floating around in my mind when the opportunity for my issue to rear its ugly head.

All that said, on the other hand if you had not intention of committing a mortal sin when you gossiped after receiving the sacrament you did not commit a mortal sin. That would be classified as venial and is forgiven at the next mass you attend during the penitential rite at the beginning of mass.

So you will have to decide if your sin was mortal or venial.