General Confession: Yea or Nay?

[surritter]

A general confession is one where you tell the priest ALL of your past sins of your whole life (well, those that you can remember), even though they have been forgiven in previous confessions.

I don’t think the Church has an official position on this; the teaching of the sacrament is very clear, but the idea of general confession is more along the lines of spiritual direction and even pyschology.

My question: I have heard very differing advice about this. Some very devout Catholics promote it, especially before great events such as entering marriage. But others strongly discourage it, saying that God has already wiped those sins away. (I believe St. Pio was in the second category, but maybe I’m thinking of someone else – anyone know which saints had feelings about either side of this question?)

So I wonder why many folks recommend a general confession, especially when we are told that God wipes those sins away? It is bringing up sins that are no longer associated with us, so it seems useless – talking about sins that aren’t even there.

 

[Mrs_Sally]

You certainly wouldn’t do something like this more than once in a lifetime. For someone coming back to the sacrament it is good to make an appointment with the priest and prepare well before hand. For those of us who have made regular confessions all along, there really isn’t a need for a general confession. Certianly we should go to confession before marriage and other major events. Someone in discernment for a religious vocation or in formation would follow the rules of their order (or the bishop/seminary for secular priesthood).

St Ignatius of Loyola recommended a general confession, but that was for men in formation or for those under spiritual direction.

 

[Julian0404]

I have had this discussion in the confessional , the priest advised that it was not necessary. Once forgiven, always forgiven.

 

[surritter]

I have had this discussion in the confessional , the priest advised that it was not necessary. Once forgiven, always forgiven.

I agree. It sounds weird to preach so strongly (from the pulpit and in the confessional) about God’s mercy, and then advise folks to dig up all the old wounds in a general confession.

 

[Jerok]

Yeah, you don’t need to do general confession for those sins already forgiven. If you do, it’s more for spiritual direction - to think of your whole life in terms of the forgiveness of God, A friend of mine is a devout Catholic and she is determining whether or not to marry a certain man, or do missionary work, or what, so she is having a general confession to examine her life and ask the Holy Spirit for guidance.

 

[SarahR]

I think that if a catholic seeks a general confession because they doubt that their sins which have already been confessed sincerely have been forgiven, that’s a mistrust in God’s mercy and a misuse of the Sacrament. A general confession shouldn’t be a denial of the forgiveness of our sins from previous good confessions.

However, we could suppose that many many graces could come from preparing for and undertaking a general confession. A deep examination of conscience (asking the Holy Spirit, Mary and our Guardian Angel for assistance) for all of the sins (especially mortal) of our lives might bring to mind sins we forgot. Sometimes we can gloss over sins and not think them as damaging as they are, especially if one is used to committing more grave sins. As we become more holy and closer to God, we can look back and realize that maybe we didn’t treat some sins with as much seriousness as we should have. In my life, I can say that at certain times I may not have thought something was “that bad” and only much later could I realize that it was very bad but my conscience was malformed or I was ignoring it to some extent. I might think that I confessed something years ago, but now I might have a much better understanding and realize I didn’t quite confess it correctly. A person may have said something general like, “impure thoughts” but it was really lustful desire for a person who is already married or sado-masochistic fantasies or something.

Also, looking back over all of our sins helps us to forgive others who have offended us. We see how deeply God loves us and repeatedly healed us despite our grave sickness of soul…our thankfulness leads us to want to extend that mercy to others.

Humility is another fruit. We don’t always realize how “high and mighty” we are, even when we think we’re pretty humble, unless we sometimes look back and see where God has brought us out from. Humility can keep us from committing those same sins because we see what we are capable of.

Sometimes if we treat each confession as a singular event we might miss big patterns of sin, or not be willing to admit them. A well-chosen priest who hears our whole confession might be able to point out specific areas of temptation OR areas where he sees we really need God’s healing.

I’d guess a good priest would be very important to such an endeavor, to help us confess thoroughly and learn lessons that the Holy Spirit wants to teach us about ourselves, sin, redemption, and the Father’s infinite mercy.

 

[SarahR]

Adding: if a faithful priest or a spiritual director recommended it to someone, it would probably be a good idea to be docile and go through the process trusting instead of questioning it. (Not saying this is what the OP was doing, just for anyone else who might be reading).

God bless.

 

[Bookcat]

A general confession is one where you tell the priest ALL of your past sins of your whole life (well, those that you can remember), even though they have been forgiven in previous confessions.

I don’t think the Church has an official position on this; the teaching of the sacrament is very clear, but the idea of general confession is more along the lines of spiritual direction and even pyschology.

My question: I have heard very differing advice about this. Some very devout Catholics promote it, especially before great events such as entering marriage. But others strongly discourage it, saying that God has already wiped those sins away. (I believe St. Pio was in the second category, but maybe I’m thinking of someone else – anyone know which saints had feelings about either side of this question?)

So I wonder why many folks recommend a general confession, especially when we are told that God wipes those sins away? It is bringing up sins that are no longer associated with us, so it seems useless – talking about sins that aren’t even there.

it is a good.

if one deals with difficulty with scruples…should not be done or at least not done say after doing so once…

one can make a general confession …and still not say “every sin” or even every mortal sin…just an FYI (at least that has been my understanding)

so yes…it can be good …for one is dealing with not only the sins (which have been forgiven) but the effects of them…and one can have a greater more perfect sorrow out of love for God…etc etc etc…many good fruits.

 

[Bookcat]

The effects of the absolution can have greater effect if we have more perfect contrition…one can even rise higher by grace than one was before ones fall…and with a general confession one can advance in a greater way along the road of Christian life…for example one can have a greater love for God in ones contrition later…and make progress where as in the past one had less or even just contrition…

the then the love and grace of Christ can heal us even more…removing the temporal effects to a greater degree…

this can be too when one adds at the end of ones normal confession…'and all the sins of my life…particularly Y (anger or what have you)

It is not a question of the mercy of God…but of our dispositions…for we can have advanced say perhaps in the love of God and have greater contrition…etc
for we are not talking about them not being forgiven…but of healing etc. and advancing in following Christ

and it is recommended for a change in life…or a particular retreat…

but again those with difficulty with scruples…talk with your confessor. Normally not recommended for you…

 

[surritter]

The effects of the absolution can have greater effect if we have more perfect contrition…one can even rise higher by grace than one was before ones fall…and with a general confession one can advance in a greater way along the road of Christian life…for example one can have a greater love for God in ones contrition later…and make progress where as in the past one had less or even just contrition…

the then the love and grace of Christ can heal us even more…removing the temporal effects to a greater degree…

this can be too when one adds at the end of ones normal confession…'and all the sins of my life…particularly Y (anger or what have you)

OK – I can see some value in a general confession, but I’m not sure if it’s in the way mentioned here. What do you mean that the “effects of absolution can have a greater effect if we have more perfect contrition”? God wipes away our sins equally well if we have perfect or imperfect contrition.

The little value that I see comes in the way of spiritual direction through confession, not the actual absolution part. This is why I have a somewhat cautious view of general confession, because it is bringing up old sins that have been absolved. Yes, it may be wise to reflect on them to avoid going down the same path, but to mention them in the sacrament of forgiveness seems redundant. I don’t think that this is what you were advocating, Bookcat, but I personally would discourage folks from having anything “re-absolved.”

 

[Bookcat]

OK – I can see some value in a general confession, but I’m not sure if it’s in the way mentioned here. What do you mean that the “effects of absolution can have a greater effect if we have more perfect contrition”? God wipes away our sins equally well if we have perfect or imperfect contrition.

not so.

they are forgiven and the eternal effects (of mortal sin) are removed…

but the temporal effects can remain in part.

the greater our love etc the more we can be healed.

of course there are also the help of the Church …ie indulgences.

 

[Bookcat]

but to mention them in the sacrament of forgiveness seems redundant. "

this has been a long practice in the Church.

it is not redundant…anymore than …some time after my fight with my wife and after i said i was sorry and she forgave me…

…when some time later in a very special moment …over an aniversary dinner or something…i say again…i really really am sorry i did that…and i love you…

even though i was forgiven…this can help heal me and her…etc.

with the grace of absolution…even more!

 

[Bookcat]

but again i am not saying everyone should do it…

it can be done in a smaller way when saying at the end of confession:

and all the sins of my life…especially of anger and theft…

 

[Bookcat]

and i will add it can have greater or lesser effects in his spiritual life…due to better or lesser dispositions…same as with Holy Communion…

for that matter the same on a human level…the way i approach my wife in asking for forgiveness can have greater or lesser ‘effects’…in part due to the my dispositions.

but there is much that can be said here.

 

[Don9of11]

A general confession is one where you tell the priest ALL of your past sins of your whole life (well, those that you can remember), even though they have been forgiven in previous confessions.

I have been following this thread and General Confession as defined by the church, CCC #1483, are only conferred at times of grave necessity when there is imminent danger of death where the priest does not have time to hear everyone’s confession.

So a “general confession” in the context of what you are asking is a bit of a misnomer. Once your sins are forgiven and you receive absolution, there is no need to bring those sins back to the confessional, unless you didn’t do a proper examination of conscience and were sincere when you confessed them the first time.

 

[surritter]

I have been following this thread and General Confession as defined by the church, CCC #1483, are only conferred at times of grave necessity when there is imminent danger of death where the priest does not have time to hear everyone’s confession.

So a “general confession” in the context of what you are asking is a bit of a misnomer. Once your sins are forgiven and you receive absolution, there is no need to bring those sins back to the confessional, unless you didn’t do a proper examination of conscience and were sincere when you confessed them the first time.

No, Don – you are referring to “general absolution.” When we say “general confession” it is a totally different topic. It is still individual absolution, but it is for sins (mentioned in that confession) that cover one’s whole life, even if they have already been previously absolved.

 

[puzzleannie]

the classic spiritual advice I have always heard is that a general confession is appropriate before milestones of life such as marriage, ordination, religious profession, radical career or life change, in the context of a retreat to discern that change such as the Ignatian 30 day retreat or a similar context. I have also heard it recommended for someone who has been obsessing about past sins as an aid to their peace of mind but I think such a person should already be under spritiual direction for that problem which could lead to scrupulosity. It could also be helpful for someone who has converted from a very destructive lifestyle, as they mature in the Christian life, and undergo a new conviction and understanding of their past sins, as an act of complete renunciation of those sins. I would think anyone who thinks it is time for them to make a general confession should ask their regular confessor or spiritual director if it is appropriate, and make clear the understand and believe those past confessed sins have been forgiven.

Times NOT to do this: at a parish reconciliation service when 200 people are waiting to confess to one of 4 priests, buttonholing the priest right before Mass begins, on the regular Saturday afternoon when a dozen people are in line behind you. make an appointment or do it in the context of a retreat.

 

[Bookcat]

No, Don – you are referring to “general absolution.” When we say “general confession” it is a totally different topic. It is still individual absolution, but it is for sins (mentioned in that confession) that cover one’s whole life, even if they have already been previously absolved.

AND it there is no need…if they have been confessed…

but it can be a good.

 

[drforjc]

If one suspects he has made a bad confession at some time in the past, especially long ago, I would think it necessary to make a general confession at least back to the last known good confession.

 

[Bookcat]

If one suspects he has made a bad confession at some time in the past, especially long ago, I would think it necessary to make a general confession at least back to the last known good confession.

would depend on the person…

if one did make a bad confession one needs to address this in confession.

but if a person with scruples merely suspects a bad confession…they prob. should not worry about it …and should follow their confessor in the matter.

for they will often fear such and a general confession can do them harm…