Devotional Confessions and sins before Baptism

[Oumashta]

I’m going to be Baptized this coming Easter, and I’m super excited! I’m already planning out what to do after I get Baptized like First 5 Saturdays, 9 First Fridays, enrollment in the Brown Scapular, etc… I want to be a good Catholic and grow closer to God and not just stop attending Mass the day after I’m Baptized -_-

Anyways, I was wondering about devotional confessions. I want to go to confession at least once a week (even if I didn’t sin) and receive Holy Communion as often as I can, but what if I have no sins to confess? I’ve heard that if one has no mortal sins to confess, they can just confess their venial sins with a perfect contrition, but I heard that if someone cannot recall any sins whatsoever, then they can just confess an already confessed sin with perfect contrition and still receive the graces derived from confession. Is this true? If so, would it be advisable to include sins committed before Baptism in my first confession even though they’ve been forgiven?

References:

In ordinary devotional Confessions we may have insufficient matter or defective contrition and so expose the Sacrament to invalidity. This danger is obviated by confessing a sin which is certainly sufficient and for which we are certainly sorry. A detailed confession is not necessary, and it is sufficient to say:

“In my past life I have broken the fourth, fifth or sixth commandment.”

catholictradition.org/Christ/sacred-tribunal.htm

Thanks and God bless!

 

[Thankfulness]

Can we be really sure that we don’t sin at all, are our thoughts always charitable, are the things we say to or about everyone kind and charitable, do we ever neglect to give love and support to others or a helping hand where needed.
There is a sinful aspect, even if venial in all these things’ Confession is a source of grace and growth in love, faith, hope. How many of us are completely faultless in these things?
Should we not confess these weaknesses and faults. Our neglects and anything that we do or say that is in the least unkind does not please the Lord. When we acknowledge these in Confession, we are opening ourselves to grace to better love God above all and others as Jesus’ commanded.

May God continue blessing you.

 

[Deo_Gratias42]

I do weekly devotional Confession. I live an exceptionally boring life, yet I manage to come up with sins every week. Get into the habit of doing a daily examination of conscience before you go to bed every night. You’ll have plenty to confess by the time you go to Confession.

 

[Bookcat]

Of course one is obliged to confess all mortal sins (that happened after baptism) in number and kind (and circumstance that changes it like it was your brother you murdered).

As to venial sins…one is not obliged to confess any. (they can be forgiven in many ways…and it is best to seek such forgiveness prior to confession on a daily basis) But it is very recommended to confess them.

If one does not have any mortal sins

One may confess all the venial sins that come to mind…or some of them…or even one that you actually committed and that one is sorry for --for a valid confession. (I am not saying one usually go in with “just one” but just noting that such would be valid for such a confession).

One may also confess any already confessed and absolved sin --that happened* after your baptism.* That which happened prior to your baptism would not be sufficient matter for confession (and I would say one would not go back to them -for they are completely washed away in baptism…) nor are imperfections or doubtful sins. One needs if one has no mortal sins one as to confess…just one sin that was committed and for which one is sorry for --and that happened after ones Baptism.

One can end all of ones confessions too with "and all the sins of my life especially those against X (pick a general category of sin that one has committed and is sorry for etc)

(make sure to read Pope Benedict XVI’s Easter Vigil Homilies through the years…vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/homilies/2009/documents/hf_ben-xvi_hom_20090411_veglia-pasquale_en.html vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/homilies/2011/index_en.htm…http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/homilies/2008/documents/hf_ben-xvi_hom_20080322_veglia-pasquale_en.html…many more there…)

 

[Bookcat]

Of course one is obliged to confess all mortal sins (that happened after baptism) in number and kind (and circumstance that changes it like it was your brother you murdered).

As to venial sins…one is not obliged to confess any. (they can be forgiven in many ways…and it is best to seek such forgiveness prior to confession on a daily basis) But it is very recommended to confess them.

If one does not have any mortal sins

One may confess all the venial sins that come to mind…or some of them…or even one that you actually committed and that one is sorry for --for a valid confession. (I am not saying one usually go in with “just one” but just noting that such would be valid for such a confession).

One may also confess any already confessed and absolved sin --that happened* after your baptism.* That which happened prior to your baptism would not be sufficient matter for confession (and I would say one would not go back to them -for they are completely washed away in baptism…) nor are imperfections or doubtful sins. One needs if one has no mortal sins one as to confess…just one sin that was committed and for which one is sorry for --and that happened after ones Baptism.

One can end all of ones confessions too with "and all the sins of my life especially those against X (pick a general category of sin that one has committed and is sorry for etc)

(make sure to read Pope Benedict XVI’s Easter Vigil Homilies through the years…vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/homilies/2009/documents/hf_ben-xvi_hom_20090411_veglia-pasquale_en.html vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/homilies/2011/index_en.htm…http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/homilies/2008/documents/hf_ben-xvi_hom_20080322_veglia-pasquale_en.html…many more there…)

Here is more on Confession in the Catechism…the “acts of the penitent”

scborromeo.org/ccc/p2s2c2a4.htm#VII

Feel free to pm me if I can be of further help

 

[Oumashta]

Thanks everyone for your replies !
You’ve answered my questions and doubts.
God bless.

 

[GwenL]

I’m going to be Baptized this coming Easter, and I’m super excited! I’m already planning out what to do after I get Baptized like First 5 Saturdays, 9 First Fridays, enrollment in the Brown Scapular, etc… I want to be a good Catholic and grow closer to God and not just stop attending Mass the day after I’m Baptized -_-

Anyways, I was wondering about devotional confessions. I want to go to confession at least once a week (even if I didn’t sin) and receive Holy Communion as often as I can, but what if I have no sins to confess? I’ve heard that if one has no mortal sins to confess, they can just confess their venial sins with a perfect contrition, but I heard that if someone cannot recall any sins whatsoever, then they can just confess an already confessed sin with perfect contrition and still receive the graces derived from confession. Is this true? If so, would it be advisable to include sins committed before Baptism in my first confession even though they’ve been forgiven?

References:

Thanks and God bless!

Definitely confess your venial sins; this is a great way to defeat them.

I think that you will find plenty of venial sins to confess. If you are examining your conscience thoroughly and honestly, you will see the venial sins.

I cannot imagine going for a week without committing several venial sins, at least something in my mind.

You can also confess temptations (and get advice on how to combat them). Temptations are NOT sins, but can easily lead us into sin. My spiritual director tells me that he is working on several imperfections that he has identified, and brings up in confession how he is doing correcting his imperfections. In fact, he told me that he goes to confession for the absolution, the blessing, and the grace he receives. He goes even if his regular confessor isn’t available, and may discuss little or nothing, just gets the absolution and blessing.

I would not focus on your pre-baptismal sins. You are starting a new life of grace. Baptism lets you put that prior life behind you. You may at some time want to do a general confession–all of the sins of your life, pre- and post-baptismal. Some people do this with a spiritual director, others at retreats, others prior to major live events (marriage, discernment for a vocation, etc.).

Find and talk to a regular confessor about this. Best to do so via an appointment, or at a time in the confessional when it’s not busy.

 

[Oumashta]

Definitely confess your venial sins; this is a great way to defeat them.

I think that you will find plenty of venial sins to confess. If you are examining your conscience thoroughly and honestly, you will see the venial sins.

I cannot imagine going for a week without committing several venial sins, at least something in my mind.

You can also confess temptations (and get advice on how to combat them). Temptations are NOT sins, but can easily lead us into sin. My spiritual director tells me that he is working on several imperfections that he has identified, and brings up in confession how he is doing correcting his imperfections. In fact, he told me that he goes to confession for the absolution, the blessing, and the grace he receives. He goes even if his regular confessor isn’t available, and may discuss little or nothing, just gets the absolution and blessing.

I would not focus on your pre-baptismal sins. You are starting a new life of grace. Baptism lets you put that prior life behind you. You may at some time want to do a general confession–all of the sins of your life, pre- and post-baptismal. Some people do this with a spiritual director, others at retreats, others prior to major live events (marriage, discernment for a vocation, etc.).

Find and talk to a regular confessor about this. Best to do so via an appointment, or at a time in the confessional when it’s not busy.

Oh thanks, so would it be advisable to do a general confession as a first confession?
Sadly, the confessional isn’t busy… I’m sure that some people go, but I never see anyone there.

 

[GwenL]

Oh thanks, so would it be advisable to do a general confession as a first confession?
Sadly, the confessional isn’t busy… I’m sure that some people go, but I never see anyone there.

Talk to your priest about this. It might be advisable for some people, and not for others. If you are at all scrupulous, it might not be the best thing to do. Talk to your priest and take his advice.

 

[Deo_Gratias42]

Oh thanks, so would it be advisable to do a general confession as a first confession?
Sadly, the confessional isn’t busy… I’m sure that some people go, but I never see anyone there.

Because you’re being Baptized, all your sins will be completely wiped out from your past life via baptism. This means eternal and temporal suffering as well. You should not even bring up those sins again in Confession. Your first Confession will be the sins from after you were baptized. A general confession is a confession of all your sins over an extended period of time depending on when your last general confession was. A general confession as a first confession right after being baptized is not an appropriate general confession.

 

[Oumashta]

Because you’re being Baptized, all your sins will be completely wiped out from your past life via baptism. This means eternal and temporal suffering as well. You should not even bring up those sins again in Confession. Your first Confession will be the sins from after you were baptized. A general confession is a confession of all your sins over an extended period of time depending on when your last general confession was. A general confession as a first confession right after being baptized is not an appropriate general confession.

Oh ok, thanks. I’ll follow the advice you’ve given.
God bless.