Delaying confession of a mortal sin?

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I’ve recently become aware of a mortal sin, and of course I’d like to confess it and be absolved as soon as possible. I’m also aware of another sin; not mortal, I don’t think, but something that’s really weighing on me. The thing is, it was something that went on in my head, and it’s really complicated. I’m having a lot of trouble understanding it, and even more trouble trying to explain it. I need at least a few more days to reflect. If I go to confession tonight, I don’t want to leave this sin out, but I also am not ready to try to explain it. I did try before (I’ve committed the sin again since then), and all I ended up doing was making the priest confused and uncomfortable. So would it be all right to wait a few days to go to confession, or do I have to confess the mortal sin ASAP?

And let me say again, it’s not that I don’t want to confess and be absolved of both of these sins; I do. It’s that I don’t yet understand the second sin to the point that I could really confess it.
 
go ASAP. Maybe the priest can help you work out your situation, as embarrassing as it may be.
 
Hanna_C said:
I’ve recently become aware of a mortal sin, and of course I’d like to confess it and be absolved as soon as possible. I’m also aware of another sin; not mortal, I don’t think, but something that’s really weighing on me. The thing is, it was something that went on in my head, and it’s really complicated. I’m having a lot of trouble understanding it, and even more trouble trying to explain it. I need at least a few more days to reflect. If I go to confession tonight, I don’t want to leave this sin out, but I also am not ready to try to explain it. I did try before (I’ve committed the sin again since then), and all I ended up doing was making the priest confused and uncomfortable. So would it be all right to wait a few days to go to confession, or do I have to confess the mortal sin ASAP?

And let me say again, it’s not that I don’t want to confess and be absolved of both of these sins; I do. It’s that I don’t yet understand the second sin to the point that I could really confess it.
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From how I understand it you should still go to confession asap. I’m not sure but I don’t think its wise to analyze your sin since your judgment could be completely off. I would talk to your priest asap and get a pair of fresh eyes on the situation since you may be looking way out into left field when the answer is really at home plate.
 
See, I tried that the last time I confessed the sin. I didn’t work at all. So I want to come into the next confession with greater understanding, so I can feel I’ve truly confessed the sin and truly been absolved of it. And that’s just not going to happen tonight.
Does the Church teach that you have to confess a mortal sin as soon as you’re aware, or is it all right to wait a day or two? Because I really think that would be the best course for me.
 
Confess the mortal sin as soon as possible (not that this is a requirement --but it is good to do)

(and seek to have perfect contrition soon after it is committed…)

If one has a mortal sin

and a venial sin that one wants to think longer on before confessing it…

one may confess the mortal sin right away.

For if the other sin was a venial sin it need not be confessed at all. Thus one may bring it directly later…

(if one had 2 mortal sins …one though would need to confess both together --and remember such is not a detailed thing but number and kind and circumstance that changes the kind --like it was a chalice form the Church one stole)
 
Hanna_C said:
See, I tried that the last time I confessed the sin. I didn’t work at all. So I want to come into the next confession with greater understanding, so I can feel I’ve truly confessed the sin and truly been absolved of it. And that’s just not going to happen tonight.
Does the Church teach that you have to confess a mortal sin as soon as you’re aware, or is it all right to wait a day or two? Because I really think that would be the best course for me.
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Sounds scrupulous which isn’t a good thing. You think God who knows your heart gives a fudge if you understand all the ends and outs of your sin? You know its a sin, you know it was wrong, you have the ability to confess, and you want to confess because you’re sorry; there you should confess. Whether or not you can "feel’ your absolution is not the bases of truth. Some times you leave confession not feeling anything; the lack of feeling doesnt mean you weren’t absolved.

The Church from what I know teaches you should confess as soon as possible if you know you committed a mortal sin.
 
Purposely ommitting a grave sin will mean that nothing is absolved. Unless you are going to Confession solely for the purpose of spiritual direction, it doesn’t seem very fruitful to go to Confession this way.
 
Hanna_C said:
See, I tried that the last time I confessed the sin. I didn’t work at all. So I want to come into the next confession with greater understanding, so I can feel I’ve truly confessed the sin and truly been absolved of it. And that’s just not going to happen tonight.
Does the Church teach that you have to confess a mortal sin as soon as you’re aware, or is it all right to wait a day or two? Because I really think that would be the best course for me.
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It sounds like you’ve confessed it before? You don’t need to go into great detail with the priest about the sin as long as you state it in some form. For example, “impure thoughts” could be a way of confessing lustful/sexual thoughts. The priest doesn’t need to know every detail and will ask for clarification if he feels the need to direct you on a sin.
 
Hey,
Just confess it anyway…if the priest cant take hearing your confessions then he is NO priest at all!! Padre Pio listened to confessions 16 hrs a day of the worst kind, including murder, oral sex, and more of the most disgusting sins! Dont worry about the priest he is not God! God knows your sins already he just wants you to be confident in saying all your sins truthfully!!
God Bless!
 
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