Do you keep a list of sins for confession?

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That’s what we were taught in RCIA although it is good practice to go regularly anyway for venial sins
 
Carmelite1983 said:
Really? Is that true?
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Well, in a sense, yes, insofar that mortal sins can normally only be forgiven through confession, but one of the Precepts of the Church is that we go to confession at least once a year, particularly during Lent. Really though, regular confession is a good and pious practice, even when one only has venial sins to confess to. Who wouldn’t want absolution on a regular basis?
 
I don’t , and usually if you can examine your conscience at the end of each day you’ll remember what sins there are.It also helps you to recognise the traps you might fall into each day and give you time to avoid them,work on them .
God bless.
 
Agree I just meant that our priest said that the penitential rite is actually absolution for venial sins each time we go to mass but I agree it’s good to have that personalised experience regularly during confession for non mortal sins
 
There are multiple methods for the forgiveness of venial sins outside of confession: the penitental rite at Mass, like you said, is one. Crossing oneself with holy water (and being mindful of the effect) is another. A third is receiving the Eucharist. A fourth is an act of contrition, though with venial sins, I don’t know if perfect contrition is required.
 
I keep a running written list between confessions because my brain is already full with a thousand other things I need to remember. I even write the date of my last confession at the top because half the time I can’t remember how long it’s been since I last went to confession.

I was tired of thinking “oh I got this” then walking out the confessional, kneeling down to say my penance, and then remembering something important that I had meant to confess. The confessing of specific sins bring sacramental graces to not repeat those specific sins. And I need all the grace I can get!
 
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Yes I do. It is more for the actual confessional as I have a few little issues with brain fog due to a vestibular disorder. I do however, write the odd thing down that bugs me that I’ve done during the time between confessions. I understand what you are saying about worrying about being too scrupulous, but I have a chat with God about that and remember as I do my examen each night or if the mood catches me in the middle of the day when something is playing on my mind, that we dont have to confess each little venial sin and that this is a devotional confession. So I look for the root sin in my sins and tend not to write down each thing, but rather the root sin or what it was about, say anger or pride etc. then I can note patterns and start work on the ‘why’ . Did I do something to encourage that or was there reasons or things I can change. For me writing it down in list form helps me see these patterns. When I go to confession I write the list out neatly and have gotten my root sins and often a few things I have done about them, so the priest is aware of my contrition or if I have missed something and deceived myself and he can set me straight. This way it is half confession and half spiritual guidance. So it works for me. So maybe you could ask God to help you and dig into the roots ? It can be tricky I know cos I feel the same and am sure that the devil has a hand in making us feel panicky. Mary is also a great help in confession prep as she very calm and level headed, I would not be without her help even in list making. God bless you.
 
I never made a list for the approximately 9 years before this but when I went to confess some big sins, I found it easier to read off of a list. Ever since then, even though I try to go every 4 weeks if possible, I make a list. It’s so that I don’t forget major things and that I don’t have scruples afterwards. I found an examination of conscience that is a lot like a checklist which, for me and at this point in time, is bets for me so I’m not scrupling over the actual things I’m writing down. Usually, if I do something that is bugging me or something I know I need to fix, it stays in my mind until I make that list the day before Confession. So in essence, I’m not keeping a physical running list until I go to Confession. Sometimes I do write down doubtful sins as my scruples aren’t that bad anymore just to clarify with the priest.
I always get rid of it after I return home.
 
halogirl said:
That’s what we were taught in RCIA although it is good practice to go regularly anyway for venial sins
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Yes. But it seems like a waste of the gift of such a wonderful sacrament to only use it as a means of getting mortal sins absolved. That would seem to be a utilitarian approach to the sacrament, which seems to me to be not quite the right approach.

If Pope John Paul II went to Confession once a week, I think that should make us think. I doubt that such a holy man, now a saint, was only going to confess mortal sins. Perhaps his example is a good one for us to consider?
 
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No because if I lose it and somebody picks it up; also, I speak from the heart.
 
Not remember no problem- part of national Catholic or real underground one; why make chat to you?
 
I sometimes bring a list. There’s nothing wrong with doing that.
 
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Hello.

I write a new list for every Confession and use an examination of conscience. It once really helped when the confessor was hard of hearing - I just handed him my list instead of raising my voice so loud that everyone could hear my confession.

With how society is these days I don’t think there are that many people who are truly scrupulous.

Just my opinion though, please take it or leave it.
 
Some people have done things that could get them into trouble with the law. I think if that’s a concern then run that list through the shredder, burn it or tear it into a zillion little pieces. Also, when I destroy my list after confession, there’s something symbolic about it - those sins are gone due to the Lord’s infinite mercy.
 
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