Do you need to know all your sins before confession?

[fakename]

Or can you ask the confessor?

 

[Elizabeth502]

It’s best to pray first for guidance, and to do an inventory before you go into the confessional.

Here’s one good resource:

catholicparents.org/examination_of_conscience.html

The first link on that page gets you there.

I have heard of confessors providing the inventory orally themselves, commandment by commandment, but often that is not sufficient, as lots of lay people don’t know the scope of each commandment. And some confessors, if a penitent is not adequately prepared (or is being too general/vague), will suggest or insist that the penitent prepare on his own time, then return.

Nevertheless, Confession is the time to ask questions about any questioned sinfulness of one’s personal actions. So by all means bring additional questions if you have them, and if those are not answered with an Examination of Conscience.

 

[puzzleannie]

Or can you ask the confessor?

how is the confessor going to know what sins you committed? Yes you have to examine your conscience before you enter confession so you know what to say. The priest can’t read your mind (unless he is Padre Pio, which is highly unlikely)

 

[ready]

Before you go to confession examine your conscience thoroughly. Before you examine your conscience and go to confession pray to the Holy Spirit to help you know your sins and to help you make a good confession. Go down the ten commandments, the Beatitudes, and the 7 Capital Sins and ask yourself if you are guilty of falling short. Go online and use the various Examinations of Conscience that are available to help you. You can ask the priest to ask you if you’ve commited certain sins, but I’ve only heard of a priest doing this for general confessions where one confesses all the sins one has ever done in one’s entire life.

 

[fakename]

So sometimes you can ask the confessor if you don’t know what sin you’ve committed. My problem with this is that “don’t know” can mean anything from I don’t what sin I committed to I don’t know if I committed a sin -And if you don’t know if you committed a sin then you don’t know what sin you committed.

A lot seems to hinge on the word “know” which could mean opinion or certain knowledge. I guess my question is is it morally necessary to know with certitude (100% probability) what sins you’ve committed? And if so with what type of certitude -one of faith or one of deductive reason? (yes the last question seems a bit much but I have a delicate conscience).

 

[Padraig1972]

Yes, i do. Before confession i always think, reflect and search my soul. I then pray and ask the Lord for guidance, telling Him like it is.

That i`m still weak, fall too easy for temptions and i wish to be more for others, a better person, trust Him more and love Him higher than i already do. It is a mental process and like going to the doctor with your wounds that needs to be healed.

 

[Bookcat]

Or can you ask the confessor?

One examines his conscience diligently for all mortal sins…in number and kind (and a circumstance that changes the sin…like the person you murdered was your brother)…(do not hide any mortal ones…that would be another mortal sin…and you would have to repeat the confession as well…)

it is good to also confess some venial sins…(but they can be forgiven other ways too)

Then if you wish…you may also ask the Priest to assist you …to ask you further questions…in addition to what you examined. But you may want to call and make an appointment if you plan to do that…for the extra time.

if later one remembers one you forgot…just mention it in the next confession.

 

[Inquirer2011]

You should always do your best in your examination of conscience prior to. :coffeeread:
However, one thing you can do at the end of your confession is say, “For these and any other sins I may have forgotten, I am truly sorry.” I don’t remember where I learned that, but it’s probably okay to use that as long as you’ve done your best to remember as much as you can as well as you can before going in.

 

[Elizabeth502]

A lot seems to hinge on the word “know” which could mean opinion or certain knowledge. I guess my question is is it morally necessary to know with certitude (100% probability) what sins you’ve committed? And if so with what type of certitude -one of faith or one of deductive reason? (yes the last question seems a bit much but I have a delicate conscience).

You know your actions, I presume. Names, especially technical or accurate ones, are less important. Describe what you did that you think is wrong or sense is wrong. Examinations of conscience should help you. I provided a basic link. Also, parishes often have other Examinations, linked to their own webpages.

Your recitation of bad actions does not have to be perfect. Most people – even non-Catholics – have a strong internal sense of some wrong things they have done. You know: lying, stealing, acting out anger aggressively, deceiving others for personal gain. the lists are pretty straightforward. You don’t need a graduate degree in this.

Again, if you need help beyond what you know is obvious, ask the priest for help. That’s what he’s there for. If something you’ve done is obscure that “you don’t know if it was really wrong,” then you probably have not sinned. Sin assumes conviction, certitude – not 100%, but certainly 90%. “I did ___ Father; I think it was wrong: Was it?” Your entire life can’t be that clouded and ambiguous.

 

[baltobetsy]

You don’t have to agonize over how to express your sins. The priest-confessor is the doctor of your soul. You don’t have to have a diagnosis; he does. So you don’t have to go and say, “I have strep.” All you need to say is, “I have a sore throat and a fever.” In confession, that translates to, “I did this bad thing and I’m not sure if it’s a sin and how bad it is. Can you help me, please?” You’re talking to Jesus here, not completing a government form.

 

[Elizabeth502]

Good reply, Betsy. (Good analogy)

I also think it’s worth posting here the following list – although I wish this thread were in Liturgy & Sacraments where it belongs. Just in case any part of this applies to the OP, here goes. Special attention to Commandments #4 and #7:

TEN COMMANDMENTS
FOR THOSE WHO STRUGGLE WITH SCRUPULOSITY

1. Do not repeat prayers, no matter how badly they may have been prayed, even if the
   prayers were given to you as a penance during the Sacrament of Reconciliation
   (Confession).
2. Do not repeat the confession of sins that have already been confessed and which
   have never been re-committed.
3. If you doubt the earnestness of your sorrow in Confession, consider the sorrow as
   having been adequate.

4. If you are doubtful as to whether a past action committed was sinful, mention it
simply to your confessor.

1. If you are worrying that maybe you never confessed a certain sin from your past,
   consider it confessed. If you know for a fact that you have never confessed that sin, then confess it simply. The Holy Spirit does not torment us with doubts and/or guilt; rather, He always brings peace as He awakens our conscience to our sins. (cf. 2 Corinthians 7:10-11: “Indeed, sorrow for God’s sake produces a repentance without regrets, leading to salvation, whereas worldly sorrow brings death. Just ook at the fruit of this sorrow which stems from God. What a measure of holy zeal it has brought you.”)
2. Examine your conscience for no longer than three minutes each day, and for no
   longer than about ten minutes before you go to Confession.

7. If you have prayed at the time of temptation, you can be sure you did not commit a
mortal sin.

1. If you have a history of scrupulosity, and you have made a General Confession at some time in your past, do not make another General Confession. Once a month is a good norm for the frequency of a regular Confession.
2. If possible, go to Confession to the same confessor-priest.
3. Most importantly, cultivate a humble heart by complete obedience to the direction
   of your confessor. Be patient with yourself. Love is the goal of all our lives. It is important to remember that scrupulosity usually (and, quite often, ultimately) stems from one’s personal pride or arrogance, as though the scrupulous person holds this personal opinion: “I have a higher norm than most normal people.”

*Note that he’s not suggesting you should not go more frequently than once/month if you know you have committed a mortal sin (made a conscious decision to engage in a seriously evil act). * This list is for those who tend to obsess with their introspection and to unnecessarily cultivate doubts about the seriousness of venial sins and imperfections of virtue.

fathersofmercy.com/our_apostolates/missionaries/menezes/ten_commandments_scrupulosity.pdf

 

[Bookcat]

It is important to note that things that may apply the those with scrupulosity/or difficulty with scruples …do not apply to those who do not have difficulties with scruples.

Those with scruples should have a regular confessor and seek his direction in their regard.

(And while I agree with some what is listed above …some I would differ with and some I would twique somewhat…what I would advise is for those who struggle with with scruples to discuss this sort of thing with their confessor who knows them and who can give them principles to follow or confirm ones others have written)

 

[Elizabeth502]

It is important to note that thing that may apply the those with scrupulosity/or difficulty with scruples …do not apply to those who do not have difficulties with scruples.

Obviously. That’s why they are so titled. (“For Those Who Struggle With Scrupulosity”)

Those with scruples should have a regular confessor and seek his direction in their regard.

And not more than once/month for non-serious sins, as Father Wade Menezes of the Fathers of Mercy states in that link.

Those who question every little thing and regularly doubt their own mind, experience, or common sense, often are in the category of the scrupulous.

 

[Elizabeth502]

Those with scruples should have a regular confessor and seek his direction in their regard.

Already suggested by Fr. Wade Menezes, Bookcat. See Commandment #9.

 

[Bookcat]

Obviously. That’s why they are so titled. (“For Those Who Struggle With Scrupulosity”)

And not more than once/month for non-serious sins, as Father Wade Menezes of the Fathers of Mercy states in that link.

Noe everyone here…newcomers etc may know what scrupulosity etc is…

the original post was not about such…

as to the once a month…such *could * be recommended for some…each person who so struggles is of course different. I do not think a blanket “once a month” for non mortal sins can be given…for each soul is different. Such is the suggestion of the particular author…and may be what he asks of his penitents.

But yes…your note was important…if one commits a moral sin…they should not wait I too do not think that is what the author means.

 

[Bookcat]

Already suggested by Fr. Wade Menezes, Bookcat. See Commandment #9.

I am glad. Such is standard and ancient…and very good advice

that was not my only point (and would be one thing I for sure agree with…while I may differ with others or would twique them)

They should discuss what principles there should be for* them* to follow…with that confessor.