Don't Have to be Sorry for all Venial Sins?

[S_V7]

A person may make a good Confession if he is truly sorry for some venial sins, even though he still has an attachment to others

tanbooks.com/doct/confession_manual.htm

(scroll down to ‘Universal Contrition’)

I thought for a Confession to be valid, one had to be sorry for *all *sins, including all venial sins, otherwise it would be an invalid Confession.

 

[baltobetsy]

Nope. You have to confess and be sorry for all your mortal sins for your confession to be valid. It is the mortal sins that separate you from God.

Most of us have many, many habitual venial sins and it would not be possible to conquer all of them at once. You may hear advice against a “laundry list” of venial sins. This is why. The better thing is to attack one or two of them at a time so you can form new holy habits in an orderly way.

Of course, you would be sorry for all your sins in a general way, but when it comes to rooting them out of your life, it’s better to go in a slow and methodical way. You are not expected to be perfect all at once.

Betsy

 

[S_V7]

Let me see if I understand correctly- If someone goes to Confession and is sorry for all their mortal sins but only some of the venial sins they confessed, then the Confession is valid??

 

[baltobetsy]

Don’t confess them if you’re not sorry for them. Presumably you are sorry for all your mortal sins and at least some of your venial sins. As long as you have confessed at least one sin that you are sorry for, the absolution works.

But seriously, don’t just list a million venial sins. Pick out the ones you are truly sorry for and the habitual ones you really want to work on and confess them. Leave the others alone. And of course, confess all your mortal sins.

Betsy

 

[Sir_Knight]

As long as you have confessed at least one sin that you are sorry for, the absolution works.

Actually, EVERY sin that you confess, you need to be sorry for and you also MUST confess ALL the mortal sins that you are aware of for the absolution to work.

 

[Mordocai]

We’re attached to venial sin which slows us down, but mortal sin stops us completely.

Yes you must be sorry for all your sins, even those unmentioned. We do run the risk of an invalid confession if we are conciously “not sorry” for any particular sin.

Firm purpose of amendment means just that.

The act of contrition read that we intend to “confess our sins, to sin no more, and ammend my life”
with His help.

to sin no more; firm purpose of ammendment. will we sin again? probably. do we have to? we sin because we want to.

 

[porthos11]

tanbooks.com/doct/confession_manual.htm

(scroll down to ‘Universal Contrition’)

I thought for a Confession to be valid, one had to be sorry for *all *sins, including all venial sins, otherwise it would be an invalid Confession.

No wonder you’re having so much trouble. You’ve been proceeding from false assumptions.

It is BEST to be sorry for all sins, including all venial ones.

It is NECESSARY to be sorry and confess ALL MORTAL SINS.

THEREFORE:

Confessing ALL mortal sins, but no venial sins is VALID.
Confessing ALL mortal sins, but some venial sins is VALID.
Witholding ANY mortal sin is INVALID.

 

[S_V7]

No wonder you’re having so much trouble. You’ve been proceeding from false assumptions.

It is BEST to be sorry for all sins, including all venial ones.

It is NECESSARY to be sorry and confess ALL MORTAL SINS.

THEREFORE:

Confessing ALL mortal sins, but no venial sins is VALID.
Confessing ALL mortal sins, but some venial sins is VALID.
Witholding ANY mortal sin is INVALID.

I confessed some venial sins, I’m just unsure as to wether I developed a firm purpose of amendment and contrition for those venial sins

 

[baltobetsy]

I confessed some venial sins, I’m just unsure as to wether I developed a firm purpose of amendment and contrition for those venial sins

Sometimes when I have a particularly troublesome habitual venial sin, I mention it in confession and say that I’m not truly sorry or even ready to give it up, but I want to “want to.” No priest has ever jumped all over me for that. The very fact that you take it to confession means that you have the right attitude and are making a good beginning to conquering the sin. Isn’t that what you’re there for? God does not expect perfection all at once.

And, once again, venial sins are totally optional in confession. So any misstep with regard to a venial sin has no bearing on the validity of your confession.

Betsy

 

[S_V7]

And, once again, venial sins are totally optional in confession. So any misstep with regard to a venial sin has no bearing on the validity of your confession.

Betsy

??? Is there any documentation that states this??

I don’t like how I don’t really now my cathecism all that well

 

[porthos11]

I confessed some venial sins, I’m just unsure as to wether I developed a firm purpose of amendment and contrition for those venial sins

I’m pretty sure you did. All you need to do is say, and mean it, at the moment of confession, “I firmly intend not to commit these sins again.” You do not have to promise not to commit these sins again; God knows how weak we are.

Here’s your Catechism quote:

[1458](javascriptpenWindow(‘cr/1458.htm’) Without being strictly necessary, confession of everyday faults (venial sins) is nevertheless strongly recommended by the Church.59 Indeed the regular confession of our venial sins helps us form our conscience, fight against evil tendencies, let ourselves be healed by Christ and progress in the life of the Spirit. By receiving more frequently through this sacrament the gift of the Father’s mercy, we are spurred to be merciful as he is merciful.

This means that the confession of venial sins is highly recommended, but not necessary. So please don’t tie yourself into knots over venial sins; it’s causing you so much sorrow already.

 

[baltobetsy]

Here’s your Catechism quote:

Thanks for that - I was just on my way to get it for her.

Betsy

 

[Joe_Kelley]

Sister Ann Shields told of a Confession in which she recited her grocery list of venial sins and the Confessor refused her absolution. He told her to go away and come back when she had one that she was really sorry for. I found that a good lesson for me. Pick one and work on it.

 

[S_V7]

Well I really don’t know what. I can’t remember what exactly I was thinking at the time of the Confession (although I do seem remember being a bit lax about preparing for it) and since I’m planning to go again hopefully this week, I’ll let my Confessor know my doubts.

 

[baltobetsy]

Well I really don’t know what. I can’t remember what exactly I was thinking at the time of the Confession (although I do seem remember being a bit lax about preparing for it) and since I’m planning to go again hopefully this week, I’ll let my Confessor know my doubts.

Stop! Just stop!! A month from now, you’ll look back on this confession and say you were a bit lax. Break the cycle now!

Betsy

 

[porthos11]

Well I really don’t know what. I can’t remember what exactly I was thinking at the time of the Confession (although I do seem remember being a bit lax about preparing for it) and since I’m planning to go again hopefully this week, I’ll let my Confessor know my doubts.

NO!

For as long as you have no mortal sin, do not go to Confession. I am an advocate of frequent confession, but not for you. For you, only if you are conscious of MORTAL sin should you confess.