Confession Question

[BrockH]

I wasn’t sure where exactly to put this thread so here it is.
I went to Confession today and gave a very thorough one. After Father had given me some advice and some uplifting words, he asked me which sin I felt that I needed to work on the most - which one was bothering me the most - I had been very concerned about my gossiping, but maybe even more about some impurity that had taken place. However, since the gossiping was a much more regular thing, I said “probably my gossiping and saying some things that just aren’t very appropriate” - now I’m not sure if my Confession was valid, because impurity probably was the worst issue - however, it is not a regular thing that I am ALWAYS dealing with. Do I need to go back?

 

[Ad_Orientem]

Unless you purposely concealed something, I wouldn’t worry about it.

 

[BrockH]

Unless you purposely concealed something, I wouldn’t worry about it.

I didn’t purposely conceal anything thank the Lord. But I have more trouble with the gossip than the impurity (this was weighing on me more, I think) and he asked which I needed to work on most. I’m so confused right now and worried the point of illness. I’m not sure of anything.

 

[GrowingFaith]

If you have more trouble with gossip, then it seems like it would take more work to avoid that sin. He also asked what you felt needed more work, and you gave him an honest answer. Nothing to worry about! And if you are worried still, talk to him next confession and tell him your concerns.

 

[Catholic1954]

I wasn’t sure where exactly to put this thread so here it is.
I went to Confession today and gave a very thorough one. After Father had given me some advice and some uplifting words, he asked me which sin I felt that I needed to work on the most - which one was bothering me the most - I had been very concerned about my gossiping, but maybe even more about some impurity that had taken place. However, since the gossiping was a much more regular thing, I said “probably my gossiping and saying some things that just aren’t very appropriate” - now I’m not sure if my Confession was valid, because impurity probably was the worst issue - however, it is not a regular thing that I am ALWAYS dealing with. Do I need to go back?

He asked you which sin YOU felt that you needed to work on the most and which sin was bothering YOU the most; it was your choice and you do not need to go back.

 

[Don_Ruggero]

Please do not be worried…above all not to the point of illness! It is the sacrament of mercy. From what you have written, you surely made an integral confession. Your intention must certainly have been to do so – that is demonstrated by your present worry. You examined your conscience, made a thorough confession, and you did your best. Anything forgotten is also forgiven.

It is always good, when we go to confession, to add at the end of the confession, “I am sorry for these and all the sins of my entire life.” It is a helpful way to expressly cover anything forgotten as well as to renew sorry (compunction) for all the sins of the past. (It also practically lets the confessor know you are finished and not just pausing or trying to remember something.)

It was after you had finished your confession that Father asked you the question; it was in the context of his giving advice. He was not asking you because he needed you to tell him something more that he required in order to absolve you. In the context of saying some words of advice and encouragement, he was asking in order to help you to focus on a specific area you would prioritize to work on to improve. The masters of the spiritual life call this focusing on our predominant fault. As Thomas a Kempis, the author of The Imitation of Christ, wrote…if we would but correct one fault a year, we would, in not many years, reach a great level of perfection.

Especially when the confession involves many distinct areas, it can be a helpful practice (to the penitent and the confessor) to focus on one area of the confession in terms of advice for the spiritual life; otherwise it would ask the confessor to try to offer too much advice. He was simply wanting you to choose, between two areas of the confession, one area for which he would then offer advice.

Be at peace and have certainty that you were validly absolved. If the confessor had really not understood you in something critical, he would have asked.

 

[truetofaith]

You will probably go back & forth between the 2 sins over the week & be more able to decide which one you should work on.

I would say work on both, but concentrate on the gossip.

 

[ServusHumilis]

I wasn’t sure where exactly to put this thread so here it is.
I went to Confession today and gave a very thorough one. After Father had given me some advice and some uplifting words, he asked me which sin I felt that I needed to work on the most - which one was bothering me the most - I had been very concerned about my gossiping, but maybe even more about some impurity that had taken place. However, since the gossiping was a much more regular thing, I said “probably my gossiping and saying some things that just aren’t very appropriate” - now I’m not sure if my Confession was valid, because impurity probably was the worst issue - however, it is not a regular thing that I am ALWAYS dealing with. Do I need to go back?

You did your best and confessed everything. You were then put on the spot and gave what I imagine is the first answer that came to mind. If this sounds accurate I wouldn’t worry too much about it.