Enumeration of sins

[upbeatjonm]

I went to confession several years ago, after a long lapse, and confessed my sins. But I did not give the number of the sins, such as “I had premarital sex” but without indicating how many times. Is it valid to confess sins like this without giving the quantity? Are all occurences of this sin through my past then forgiven?

Upbeatjon

 

[Marauder]

The sins you confessed are forgiven. If the priest wanted to know the number of times you committed a sin he would have asked.

You should attempt to give the number of times you committed a sin, but if you forget you are still forgiven. If you don’t have any idea of the number of times you committed a sin, you can say that to the priest.

If you feel unsure, you can always confess the sins next time, but that is usually for sins you forgot, not sins that you forgot to tell the number of time.

 

[space_ghost]

upbeatjonm:

I went to confession several years ago, after a long lapse, and confessed my sins. But I did not give the number of the sins, such as “I had premarital sex” but without indicating how many times. Is it valid to confess sins like this without giving the quantity? Are all occurences of this sin through my past then forgiven?

Upbeatjon

don’t let you conscience (new found) drive you overboard… Your sins are forgiven, the Priest absolved you from those sins of the past… unless you went to confession daily, i don’t know anyone who could remember all their sins especially the correct number, to guess the number would most likely be a sin too… I promise you that you are ok… go in peace… keep going to confession, it really is good for the soul…

 

[BobCatholic]

I would add the following line

“I also confess all the sins I have forgotten or redefined in error.”

This covers you in case you are unable to confess later. If you are able to confess something you remember later, then confess it.

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

Your sins are forgiven, move on. The next time you go hopefully only a few months will pass. You should when confessing say that you “did this or that six times in the last month” or at least “I did this over the last six months several times”. It is correct that the priest might ask if you do not state it. However it helps him understand if this is a repetative temptation or a one time temptation. He can then better offer advise on how to avoid it.