Forgotten Mortal Sins

[Nick]

how necessary is it to confess forgotten mortal sins that have already been forgiven by previous good confessions? If one remembers a mortal sin from years past, but has since been to confession many times, is it necessary to confess this sin. Will not confessing it result in a bad confession? thank you for your help.

 

[Mike_Dye]

If I understand your post correctly if you have already confessed your sin it is forgiven…dont worry about it any more! If you can’t remember if you have confessed it I doubt it was a mortal sin…those are the kind of things you tend not to forget! Having said that there is no law that says you can’t re-confess your sin. I would just tell the priest that you have previously confessed this sin.
Mike

 

[Dr.Colossus]

If I understand you correctly, you are asking if you need to confess a sin that you haven’t confessed, yet was previously absolved because you didn’t remember it the last time you confessed.

The short answer is no, it remains forgiven even if you remember it later. However, I would recommend confessing it anyway, because you will receive greater graces from God for overcoming the temptation for it again if you confess it as a personal act of contrition.

 

[Lux_et_veritas]

I truly forgotten sin is indeed forgiven, however if it is a mortal sin, then it must be mentioned next time you are in confession.

I just encountered this and stated the forgotten sin (from many months prior that came to light) and I really didn’t think it was that much of a big deal. It turned out to be a big deal. The priest made me right a wrong. While it’s a little bitter to swallow that pill, I would tell him again anyway, because there was a reason that light went on. If we believe the Holy Spirit helps us with confession, than I have to assume that the Holy Spirit was the one shining the light on the sin, otherwise, why did I remember it afterwards?

Bottom line is that we don’t get away with one if we happen to honestly forget a mortal sin. Here is a pretty good write-up by a Monsignor:

bcc.rcav.org/01-10-08/question.htm

And, a reply to a similar question to Michelle Arnold, one of our Apologists:

forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?t=58833&highlight=forgotten+sins