Forgetting things at Confession

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Tyskie

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Now I’m wondering, I know when we confess we are to be sincere, but what if you don’t confess everything? A priest asked me a question re: my confession and looking back I think I could have answered it better, or more accurately. I’m not sure if I did it on purpose or whether I genuinely forgot, either way I plan to re-confess that part, but does that make my entire confession void?Should I re-confess everything? I know if you forget something it is generally not as bad, but I can’t seem to remember if I did forget truly or not.

Thanks
 
Unless it was very serious matter (mortal sin) I wouldn’t worry about it. Confession is a gift, not a burden.

Don’t feel badly, I had (and still have a bit) the same experiences but I believe that Jesus wants to save us. I have learned to worry less about such things.

I think I know exactly what you are going through. “I forgot to say this.”, “I didn’t explain that quite right.”, “I made that sound like this.”, “I didn’t say how many times.”.

I think we can lose perspective sometimes. Consider people who have had serious sins that are very likely mortal. Maybe, like the prodigal son, they have lived a life of sin and have been away from the Church for years. When people confess such things there is such a relief. Confession is seen as the gift as it is.

The problem is, Catholics whose lives are somewhat stable or normal (by God’s grace and let us never be proud) tend to overconcern themselves maybe even about things that were not even mortal to begin with. I think we can lose perspective.

Even being too concerned may not be what Jesus wants, then we think “Oh no, maybe I need to confess that…”

When you start thinking that way, it’s time to put the cycle on STOP and focus on your love for Jesus. He understands your heart. Let Him draw you closer to Himself. Believe me, I know exactly what you are going through.

From what you have said I would say, do not worry about it.

When our faith becomes a psychological burden and not a joy, it’s probably a sign that we have lost perspective.

I wish you the very best.

Greg
 
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Tyskie:
Now I’m wondering, I know when we confess we are to be sincere, but what if you don’t confess everything? A priest asked me a question re: my confession and looking back I think I could have answered it better, or more accurately. I’m not sure if I did it on purpose or whether I genuinely forgot, either way I plan to re-confess that part, but does that make my entire confession void?Should I re-confess everything? I know if you forget something it is generally not as bad, but I can’t seem to remember if I did forget truly or not.

Thanks
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If you truely forgot your confession is valid and all sins, inlcuding mortal, are forgiven. Even though mortal sins are absolved, it is a good practice to mention it in the next confession.
 
When you have made an honest confession, all- even things you may have forgotten, are forgiven. Otherwise, worrying about it can lead to scrupulosity. The devil uses scrupulosity to get good people to question themselves and temps them to give up their holy lives. Father Corapi gave a wonderful talk outlining this situation. You may be able to get it on his web site.

May God bless you for your faith,
Deacon Tony SFO
 
Deacon Tony560:
The devil uses scrupulosity to get good people to question themselves and temps them to give up their holy lives.
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Deacon, that is such excellent insight. Thank you very much.
 
Dear friend

At the end of my confession the Priest always asks me if there is anything else and I always say, ‘probably there will be something I have forgotten’. When my Priest absolves me, he says that he absolves me of all my sins and all the sins of my life. As long as you are not deliberately witholding confessing sins once you are in the confessional then you are doing just fine , friend.

Don’t worry, when the Priest absolves you, he absolves all of your sins from the last time you went to confession to the one you have just made, worrying over this is futile and will do you no good, just making you miserable. Confession is a joy, not meant to make you miserable, but to bring you the peace and joy of Christ and His forgiveness.

God Bless you and much love and peace to you

Teresa
 
at the end of my confession I say to the priest, “I confess all of the sins which I cannot now remember”.
 
Dear friend

fathercorapi.com/

Father John Corapi’s website, but if you are not convinced after reading this, take the advice your own Priest gives you, he is the shepherd of your soul , another ‘Christ’ to you and you must obey him, he has your best interests at heart and is the shepherd of your soul to your salvation. If the Priest gives you advice you do not like regarding this, if you have ‘buts’ in mind when he says…‘you are absolved, don’t worry’…then the fault lies with you in the pride that your judgement is better than the Priests…the Priest has the power to absolve and withold absolution, if he absolves, dear friend, you ARE absolved for ALL of your sins.

God Bless you and much love and peace to you always

Teresa
 
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Tyskie:
Now I’m wondering, I know when we confess we are to be sincere, but what if you don’t confess everything? A priest asked me a question re: my confession and looking back I think I could have answered it better, or more accurately. I’m not sure if I did it on purpose or whether I genuinely forgot, either way I plan to re-confess that part, but does that make my entire confession void?Should I re-confess everything? I know if you forget something it is generally not as bad, but I can’t seem to remember if I did forget truly or not.

Thanks
Click to expand...
There’s no need to reconfess. If you had a true confession, all your sins are absolved. Jesus is not a God who would hold our limited human frailties against us. Jesus is a loving and merciful God, seeking to wash our souls of every stain with his precious blood. He sees the intentions of your heart, and knows that if you had recalled in your memory the sins that you did not confess, you would’ve confessed them there. If you made an effort to confess your every sin, but forgot one, your heart confesses your sins that escape your mind. Out of love for you and desire to be with you forever, Jesus frees you of your guilt. If you purposefully omitted one, you should confess that sin(s). But be honest with yourself. Examine your intentions. If you truly forgot, all is forgiven.
 
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