Confused about my confession

[Lilisym24]

Hello!

I apologize if this has been asked before, and I wouldn’t be surprised if it has…it’s just kind of difficult to search for the particular thread.

I went to confession earlier, and did not confess all that I intended to. About mid-confession the priest wanted to address something regarding a struggle I was having. Afterward, he moved on to giving me my penance, and then absolving me of all my sins (maybe he was in a hurry, but he is a good confessor!). Should I have said something along the lines of, “I’m sorry, Father, but I wasn’t finished”? Or, because I did intend to confess those sins, but didn’t, am I still (fully?) absolved?

Do you suggest I go back to the Sacrament of Reconciliation as soon as possible, or, when I go to my next confession, do I just confess the sins I intended to mention earlier?

Thanks for you help!

God bless.

 

[Bookcat]

It is a bit difficult to say what you should have done for we where not in the confessional with you…I would have said (if I had a mortal sin still to confess) --Father…I also accuse myself of “murder 3x” (or a venial lie or whatever…but of course venial sins need not be said anyhow–so better to just intend such)…but if I went right into giving the penance and right to absolution…such may be difficult…(ordinarily they ask for the act of contrition…which is a good time to add if need be…before the act)

Some aspects of this may be pertinent …

jimmyakin.com/2009/12/what-if-you-suddenly-remember-in-confession.html

 

[Lilisym24]

It is a bit difficult to say what you should have done for we where not in the confessional with you…I would have said (if I had a mortal sin still to confess) --Father…I also accuse myself of “murder 3x” (or a venial lie or whatever…but of course venial sins need not be said anyhow–so better to just intend such)…but if I went right into giving the penance and right to absolution…such may be difficult…(ordinarily they ask for the act of contrition…which is a good time to add if need be…before the act)

Some aspects of this may be pertinent …

jimmyakin.com/2009/12/what-if-you-suddenly-remember-in-confession.html

Thanks for your reply! And thank you for the link! I want to feel at ease, but I’m not sure.

I had already covered my major, mortal sins before the priest “stepped in.” The last time I went to confession with him he did ask for me to say an act of contrition, but this time he did not, which also made me slightly confused whether to pipe up.
I’m not entirely sure if the remaining sins are mortal–they have to do with impatience (at times) with my parents. During those instances I know that I should be more attentive and patient, but I’m not…though I don’t like that it happens.

I don’t know…I think I’ll be okay until my next confession. I guess I just don’t want to be presumptuous?

 

[Bookcat]

As to what is mortal sin: Compendium issued by Pope Benedict XVI

1. When does one commit a mortal sin?

1855-1861
1874

One commits a mortal sin when there are simultaneously present: grave matter, full knowledge, and deliberate consent. This sin destroys charity in us, deprives us of sanctifying grace, and, if unrepented, leads us to the eternal death of hell. It can be forgiven in the ordinary way by means of the sacraments of Baptism and of Penance or Reconciliation.

1. When does one commit a venial sin?

1862-1864
1875

One commits a venial sin, which is essentially different from a mortal sin, when the matter involved is less serious or, even if it is grave, when full knowledge or complete consent are absent. Venial sin does not break the covenant with God but it weakens charity and manifests a disordered affection for created goods. It impedes the progress of a soul in the exercise of the virtues and in the practice of moral good. It merits temporal punishment which purifies.

 

[rom422]

Hello!

I apologize if this has been asked before, and I wouldn’t be surprised if it has…it’s just kind of difficult to search for the particular thread.

I went to confession earlier, and did not confess all that I intended to. About mid-confession the priest wanted to address something regarding a struggle I was having. Afterward, he moved on to giving me my penance, and then absolving me of all my sins (maybe he was in a hurry, but he is a good confessor!). Should I have said something along the lines of, “I’m sorry, Father, but I wasn’t finished”? Or, because I did intend to confess those sins, but didn’t, am I still (fully?) absolved?

Do you suggest I go back to the Sacrament of Reconciliation as soon as possible, or, when I go to my next confession, do I just confess the sins I intended to mention earlier?

Thanks for you help!

God bless.

Your confession is bad only if you purposely hid a sin during confession. But you did not do that. The speedy action of the priest prevented you from saying what you intended to confess. So, in my opinion, your confession was a good one. You can just confess that sin in your next confession.

God is merciful and understanding. He knows your heart. The fact alone that you are struggling now and wondering about your confession means that you are a responsible person, and that you did not want to cheat. So, please be at peace and don’t be too hard on yourself. Sometimes, our confessions are not as good as we want them to be. But imperfect confessions do not mean bad confessions.

Yes, you might say, “But I could have interrupted him and say I wasn’t finished yet.” Yes, you could have interrupted him, but unfortunately it didn’t happen that way. It sometimes isn’t easy to interrupt someone, especially a priest. So do not worry. In my humble opinion, your confession was good, and you should not have any more scruples about this. Focus more on God’s love and mercy, and you will have peace.

God bless!

 

[Leon_Bloy]

Yes, it is only a problem if you did not tell your mortal sins. I doubt from what you described that anything you had not confessed was mortal.

This is a good opportunity also to remind everybody to tell your sins in order of seriousness. If a priest realizes that you have moved into territory that is venial, he might choose to cut you off to save time, and then it would be all right.

I am personally confident that your confession was perfectly fine - especially since it was the priest who was in charge of what happened.

 

[Lilisym24]

Thank you all for your responses!
I do need to work on focusing on God’s love and mercy, rather than torment myself with things that have been forgotten (generally).

I hope this Lenten season is a prayerful one for each one of you.

God bless!