Confessors and venial sins

[kdub432]

I usually go to confession once a month or every other month. My schedule varies quite a bit, so I’ll usually look up what parish is holding confession soonest, and go to that parish at that time. This being so, I’ll confess to quite a variety of priests.

Its often the case that I’ll confess something that’s a venial sin, and the priest will say something like “I don’t know if you should really worry about that”, or something to that effect. Although it might just be a venial sin, its still is healthy to confess it! I try to be aware of over-scrupulosity, and would say its not a problem with me. If someone is striving for holiness, confessing venial sins is a very good exercise. I’ve even heard some stories from others where some priests will say a mortal sin is really “not a big deal”

I’ll probably solve my problem by finding a regular confessor who understands where I’m coming from. That being said though, I still want to know how to react when I confess to a priest that I haven’t necessarily seen before.

Does this situation ever happen to others? What’s the right way to deal with this?

 

[Bookcat]

It is difficult to suggest “what to say” it would all depend on what is said to you.

Certainly the Church Highly recommends confession of (at least some) venial sins. Though they may be forgiven in many various ways.

You have it seems a very good practice there. I would suggest that it could be better to find a regular confessor -not only that he understands you but also so he can give you on going advice in your following Christ.

 

[JRKH]

Agree that a regular confessor is generally preferable.

As to confessing venial sins, one suggestion is to consider, during your examination of conscience, the types of sins and what they might point to. Venial sins, while technically not needing confessed, often times point to underlying faults that CAN be problematic.
For instance rather than confessing taking the Lords name in vain three times, or snapping at a coworker 4 times, one might say -
“I am struggling with anger and a short temper that causes me to snap at people and even take the Lord’s name in vain.”
This struggle with Anger - the cause of the lesser sins is something more serious and is the fault that one truly needs the grace of confession to combat. I seriously doubt that a priest will make noise that “anger” is not a serious sin and something worth addressing in confession.

The same thing can be true of greed, lust or other serious faults - simple and seemingly small sins are important, not for what they are themselves, but for where they point.

Hope this helps.

Peace
James

 

[Ohana]

Agree that a regular confessor is generally preferable.

As to confessing venial sins, one suggestion is to consider, during your examination of conscience, the types of sins and what they might point to. Venial sins, while technically not needing confessed, often times point to underlying faults that CAN be problematic.
For instance rather than confessing taking the Lords name in vain three times, or snapping at a coworker 4 times, one might say -
“I am struggling with anger and a short temper that causes me to snap at people and even take the Lord’s name in vain.”
This struggle with Anger - the cause of the lesser sins is something more serious and is the fault that one truly needs the grace of confession to combat. I seriously doubt that a priest will make noise that “anger” is not a serious sin and something worth addressing in confession.

The same thing can be true of greed, lust or other serious faults - simple and seemingly small sins are important, not for what they are themselves, but for where they point.

Thanks, this is the first time I have seen this recommended. I have been doing this for some time, but just kind of fell into it. Nice to know I am not alone on this. It does help tremendously.

 

[JRKH]

JRKH;8708505:

Agree that a regular confessor is generally preferable.

As to confessing venial sins, one suggestion is to consider, during your examination of conscience, the types of sins and what they might point to. Venial sins, while technically not needing confessed, often times point to underlying faults that CAN be problematic.
For instance rather than confessing taking the Lords name in vain three times, or snapping at a coworker 4 times, one might say -
“I am struggling with anger and a short temper that causes me to snap at people and even take the Lord’s name in vain.”
This struggle with Anger - the cause

of the lesser sins is something more serious and is the fault that one truly needs the grace of confession to combat. I seriously doubt that a priest will make noise that “anger” is not a serious sin and something worth addressing in confession.

The same thing can be true of greed, lust or other serious faults - simple and seemingly small sins are important, not for what they are themselves, but for where they point.

Thanks, this is the first time I have seen this recommended. I have been doing this for some time, but just kind of fell into it. Nice to know I am not alone on this. It does help tremendously.

Thank you. Yes I sort of “fell into it” also when I was coming home to the Church after 35 years. I mean - How do you address 35 years of sinful life by the “name and number” method of confessing sins. The “Deadly sins” option really made it easy and more productive.

Peace
James