Days since last confession

[codefro]

Question on something I have wondered about. When going to confession, must one be specific with the days since the last confession. For example, it has been 5 days since my last confession vs. it has been one week since my last confession. This might be semantics, but I am wondering if it is important to be specific in this instance.

 

[CruceSignati]

I, for one, am not a very specific person when it comes to this. I try to go to Confession at least once a month, so I can usually say that it has been about one month since my last confession. I am honestly not sure if specifics are really important in this case.
Pax

 

[SecretaryMonday]

Question on something I have wondered about. When going to confession, must one be specific with the days since the last confession. For example, it has been 5 days since my last confession vs. it has been one week since my last confession. This might be semantics, but I am wondering if it is important to be specific in this instance.

I don’t know the source anymore, but I have heard that you should try to give at least the approximate number of days (if its within a week), weeks (if its less than a month)…and so on…so it would probably be better to say “Its been five days” if you know it, but I don’t see why you couldn’t also just say “about a week.”

 

[Edmundus1581]

In the sacrament of penance the penitent is only **required **to confess all mortal sins in kind and number, and to have contrition and purpose of amendment. (canon law 987,988).

So, you are not formally required to state the length of time since last confession. If you omitted it completely, and your confessor didn’t ask for it, your confession would still be valid. Stating the length of time is a custom which is observed because it is helpful to the confessor (and yourself) to ensure that you make a complete confession and to provide counselling.

So, just be as specific as you need to be to assist your confessor, rather than treat it as a statement in court. Don’t agonise over it, and don’t hold up the confession with… "It’s been 6 days… oh… wait… maybe 7… I’m not sure…I think it was last Saturday… ", etc …

I usually mention 6, 7 or 8 days as “one week”, unless I am confessing a frequently occuring sin, by number, then I may be more specific. eg. “It’s been eight days since my last confession, and I have committed 4 times”, as this gives a better picture for the confessor. (or, I may not… and this is also valid).

For five days, I would always say “five days”, as that is the most simple, natural way to describe that period of time. However, if I had said “one week”, I would leave it there, even if I was still in the confessional.

 

[Edmundus1581]

and, Welcome!

You are, I think, the first Anglican-use Catholic I’ve met in CAF. We have Anglicans, and ex-Anglicans (like myself), and Anglo-Catholics, but not until now, AFAIK, an Anglican-use Catholic.

 

[codefro]

and, Welcome!

You are, I think, the first Anglican-use Catholic I’ve met in CAF. We have Anglicans, and ex-Anglicans (like myself), and Anglo-Catholics, but not until now, AFAIK, an Anglican-use Catholic.

Thank you! I attend the local Anglican Ordinariate parish nearby and am discerning joining the Ordinariate. I am very excited to see Anglicans come into full communion with the Holy Father.