General Confession

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cheezey said:
Perhaps it’s my mood at the moment, but this sounds discouraging. And today I was given conflicting information.
If ever I get into RCIA, I will need to confess my entire life.
VS
If ever I get into RCIA, I will need to confess only that which happened between completion and entry.

Can someone offer definitively which is the actual case?
Thank you.
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I can’t, but I will say I have never heard the second. It has always been “everything since your last confession (or baptism if you have never been to confession.)”

Re: the number, it can be sufficient to offer an estimate if an exact number is not known, or if it was habitual, offer how many times a day/week/month for however long it went on. When it had been so long for me, the priest asked me if I had done x or y and to try to estimate how often. I’m not suggesting going in with a blank slate, but the priest isn’t going to throw you out if you forget to mention that you took little Jimmy’s lunch money back in sixth grade (or you say it was twice and it actually happened three times.) If you prepare (which it sounds like you are definitely doing) and honestly say as much as you can think of with the intent of repenting for ALL of your sins, then the absolution is valid.

If you forget something that is grave matter and remember it later, you can go back. If you’re not sure if it was grave or not, you can go back and ask. It has been my experience that most priests are very, very happy to help you in confession, because they are thrilled you are there.
 
silicasandra said:
I can’t, but I will say I have never heard the second. It has always been “everything since your last confession (or baptism if you have never been to confession.)”

Re: the number, it can be sufficient to offer an estimate if an exact number is not known, or if it was habitual, offer how many times a day/week/month for however long it went on. When it had been so long for me, the priest asked me if I had done x or y and to try to estimate how often. I’m not suggesting going in with a blank slate, but the priest isn’t going to throw you out if you forget to mention that you took little Jimmy’s lunch money back in sixth grade (or you say it was twice and it actually happened three times.) If you prepare (which it sounds like you are definitely doing) and honestly say as much as you can think of with the intent of repenting for ALL of your sins, then the absolution is valid.

If you forget something that is grave matter and remember it later, you can go back. If you’re not sure if it was grave or not, you can go back and ask. It has been my experience that most priests are very, very happy to help you in confession, because they are thrilled you are there.
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Thank you. I am with you; never heard of the second, either, but that’s what a recent convert told me. This particular convert is so sure he is right, yet no one else has said this, and quite franky, I think he is very wrong. He is so often wrong and can’t ever admit it, but that’s another dialogue!! I think it will be pretty much my whole life, since as a convert, who has never confessed, that would be never, thus much to cover…Please take no offense, but I hope someone can give a definitive answer; though again, I am sure there is a reason why you and I think NO to the second. I think we are right!!😃
 
cheezey said:
Thank you. I am with you; never heard of the second, either, but that’s what a recent convert told me. This particular convert is so sure he is right, yet no one else has said this, and quite franky, I think he is very wrong. He is so often wrong and can’t ever admit it, but that’s another dialogue!! I think it will be pretty much my whole life, since as a convert, who has never confessed, that would be never, thus much to cover…Please take no offense, but I hope someone can give a definitive answer; though again, I am sure there is a reason why you and I think NO to the second. I think we are right!!😃
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I am not offended at all that you want something more definitive - I just figured in the meantime I would offer what limited information I had. It can be trying to have conflicting reports for sure. :o

(Example: My husband is a dear man and a cradle Catholic, but I have learned that he is not always a good source for authentic Catholic teaching. He is smart and is a faithful Catholic, but he doesn’t always remember what he heard way back when in religious ed. 😉 Not to mention that when I was in RCIA I definitely heard things that weren’t right - or, more likely, misunderstood something I heard and then filed it away only to discover I was wrong later. This is probably the case of the other person you spoke to, as well.)
 
cheezey said:
Perhaps it’s my mood at the moment, but this sounds discouraging. And today I was given conflicting information.
If ever I get into RCIA, I will need to confess my entire life.
VS
If ever I get into RCIA, I will need to confess only that which happened between completion and entry.

Can someone offer definitively which is the actual case?
Thank you.
Click to expand...
Don’t be discouraged. It takes me three hours to compose a four sentence emailbecause I go through several drafts.

If you’re not being Baptized, you must confess all mortal sins of your entire life.
 
Deo_Gratias42 said:
Don’t be discouraged. It takes me three hours to compose a four sentence emailbecause I go through several drafts.

If you’re not being Baptized, you must confess all mortal sins of your entire life.
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as in, I am already baptized as a Christian and will confess all when the time comes?
Thanks for the response!! And I will need to mention my unfortunate weakness in wanting to say to someone else, HA! I knew I was right!! ( I don’t ctually do that, but it is tempting…)
 
chosendaughter said:
I have several questions. One main one is how did you organize your sins? I have a bigger period of time than you did. I am not sure if I should block sins off by periods of my life ie high school, college, post college single years, married…(and on and on) OR just list things based on the ten commandments and the 7 deadly sins and fill in the time frame number of times from there. The problem I am having with the first option is some things span more than one period of my life.

Thanks
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What I have highlighted is pretty much the way to go. I made a general confession just prior to becoming one of the faithful of Opus Dei. The priest advised me that I should look at 3 stages of my life - from First communion until Confirmation; from Confirmation until getting married; and the rest of my life from when I married. He told me I simply needed to confess the kind of sins I had committed in each stage. Of course, this was at a time when I was going to confession regularly, and did not have any unconfessed mortal sins.

Some years previously, I did a general confession, when I had received the grace from God to confess many sins committed over a number of years. In that confession, it was, of course, necessary to indicate the frequency of committing each different mortal sin.

In each case, a good examination of conscience is necessary, so as to confess as accurately as you can, understanding that is you forgot any sins, you are not at fault.

While I am not certain, I am pretty sure that, even in the first type of general confession I described, if I had deliberately not mentioned any specific mortal sins I had committed in any stage of my past life, I would be committing a mortal sin. Why? Although I had confessed them previously and received absolution, the point in this general confession is to acknowledge the kind of sins that had affected my life, and if I withheld that information from the priest, it would have been from pride, and not wanting him to know what I had done in the past, from a false shame.
 
chosendaughter said:
Does anyone have experience with making a general confession of their whole life they would be willing to share?
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No , and I wouldn’t make one .

When we have received the Sacrament of Reconciliation our sins are forgiven . We should not then be bringing them up again at a future time . It is spiritually unhealthy .

" I it is who must blot out everything and not remember your sins ," says the Lord . (Is 43:25)

We show a great lack of trust in the mercy of the Lord if we keep digging up past sins , confessing them again when they have been forgiven . We should leave them in the past where they belong .
 
Joan_M said:
What I have highlighted is pretty much the way to go. I made a general confession just prior to becoming one of the faithful of Opus Dei. The priest advised me that I should look at 3 stages of my life - from First communion until Confirmation; from Confirmation until getting married; and the rest of my life from when I married. He told me I simply needed to confess the kind of sins I had committed in each stage. Of course, this was at a time when I was going to confession regularly, and did not have any unconfessed mortal sins.

Some years previously, I did a general confession, when I had received the grace from God to confess many sins committed over a number of years. In that confession, it was, of course, necessary to indicate the frequency of committing each different mortal sin.

In each case, a good examination of conscience is necessary, so as to confess as accurately as you can, understanding that is you forgot any sins, you are not at fault.

While I am not certain, I am pretty sure that, even in the first type of general confession I described, if I had deliberately not mentioned any specific mortal sins I had committed in any stage of my past life, I would be committing a mortal sin. Why? Although I had confessed them previously and received absolution, the point in this general confession is to acknowledge the kind of sins that had affected my life, and if I withheld that information from the priest, it would have been from pride, and not wanting him to know what I had done in the past, from a false shame.
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Joan_M said:
What I have highlighted is pretty much the way to go. I made a general confession just prior to becoming one of the faithful of Opus Dei. The priest advised me that I should look at 3 stages of my life - from First communion until Confirmation; from Confirmation until getting married; and the rest of my life from when I married. He told me I simply needed to confess the kind of sins I had committed in each stage. Of course, this was at a time when I was going to confession regularly, and did not have any unconfessed mortal sins.

Some years previously, I did a general confession, when I had received the grace from God to confess many sins committed over a number of years. In that confession, it was, of course, necessary to indicate the frequency of committing each different mortal sin.

In each case, a good examination of conscience is necessary, so as to confess as accurately as you can, understanding that is you forgot any sins, you are not at fault.

While I am not certain, I am pretty sure that, even in the first type of general confession I described, if I had deliberately not mentioned any specific mortal sins I had committed in any stage of my past life, I would be committing a mortal sin. Why? Although I had confessed them previously and received absolution, the point in this general confession is to acknowledge the kind of sins that had affected my life, and if I withheld that information from the priest, it would have been from pride, and not wanting him to know what I had done in the past, from a false shame.
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I am under taking this because of past confessions that were bad. (Incomplete). As I do my examen I am trying to recall everything and will be as forthright as I can. I am relying on the Holy Spirit and my Guardian Angel for help.

Thank you. Everyone’s stories give me a bit more strength.
 
I fell away from the church for about 15 years. Upon returning, I made general confession. It was not brutal, or harrowing. My priest was so happy for me to be back in church he went out of his way to make me as comfortable as possible. I hope you find the same.
 
ampridgen said:
I fell away from the church for about 15 years. Upon returning, I made general confession. It was not brutal, or harrowing. My priest was so happy for me to be back in church he went out of his way to make me as comfortable as possible. I hope you find the same.
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Thank you for the kind words. I hope so too.
 
Not been to confession in about 4 years but the priest did a sick healing the other week and said we were all cleansed of our sins if we went up for the blessing of which I did.

Thing is, I have sinned loads over the last 6 years but I can’t remember them all. Just little things except for today which I sinned big time!!!

Went into car park to get into car and someone only went and parked right up to my drivers door! I had to get in through passenger side and I opened my door and slammed it against the other car!!! Tiny bit of damaged. I drove off!

I feel so guilty. I will be going to confession this weekend. I can’t live my self with what I did.

Supposed to go to mass tomorrow but can’t bring myself to go now. I feel like a massive sinner.

How can I confess sins for the last 6 years when I have probably committed hundreds of all different types? I know the last time I went I just said to the priest that I have committed many sins of which I can’t remember and that was that? Advice please people. Ta
 
I can relate with many here. I plan on going to confession this Saturday in many, many years. Some of the mortal sins I know I can remember and others I am not sure if I had confessed in the past. I think I understand mortal sin but could someone with the knowledge please clear it up for me? Is it intentionally breaking one of the Ten Commandments? It has been so long for me and I am guilty of not practicing my Faith like I was taught. I have just recently discovered these forums and they have helped me in ways I didn’t know was possible. I realize the state of sin I have been living by and know God is calling me back. I am frightened of my confession but I want to do it right. Ibam not even sure I should be posting about all this. Thanks for any help or guidance
 
MJCamp said:
I can relate with many here. I plan on going to confession this Saturday in many, many years. Some of the mortal sins I know I can remember and others I am not sure if I had confessed in the past. I think I understand mortal sin but could someone with the knowledge please clear it up for me? Is it intentionally breaking one of the Ten Commandments? It has been so long for me and I am guilty of not practicing my Faith like I was taught. I have just recently discovered these forums and they have helped me in ways I didn’t know was possible. I realize the state of sin I have been living by and know God is calling me back. I am frightened of my confession but I want to do it right. Ibam not even sure I should be posting about all this. Thanks for any help or guidance
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I think this is a perfect place to ask these questions.While I am not an expert, sometimes just hearing other people share their experiences gives you the push you need. How wonderful that you are hearing the call to go back to the Sacrament. You can google an examination of conscience on the internet. You will be fine as long as you don’t hide anything in the confessional…and tell the priest and he can help you too. Have you thought about making an appointment for confession? Sometimes when it has been a long time it is better to do so. If you want to be anonymous, your priest would be willing I’m sure to meet you in the confessional rather than an office.
 
ajecphotos said:
Not been to confession in about 4 years but the priest did a sick healing the other week and said we were all cleansed of our sins if we went up for the blessing of which I did.

Thing is, I have sinned loads over the last 6 years but I can’t remember them all. Just little things except for today which I sinned big time!!!

Went into car park to get into car and someone only went and parked right up to my drivers door! I had to get in through passenger side and I opened my door and slammed it against the other car!!! Tiny bit of damaged. I drove off!

I feel so guilty. I will be going to confession this weekend. I can’t live my self with what I did.

Supposed to go to mass tomorrow but can’t bring myself to go now. I feel like a massive sinner.

How can I confess sins for the last 6 years when I have probably committed hundreds of all different types? I know the last time I went I just said to the priest that I have committed many sins of which I can’t remember and that was that? Advice please people. Ta
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The anointing of the sick is not a replacement for confession. If you have mortal sins the anointing does not absolve them unless you are physically unable to confess and are on your deathbed. If you recover you still have to confess. I would go to confession before receiving communion.
 
Went to confession this morning! Phew, so relieved now! Went to mass straight after too. Going to try my hardest to keep a check n my temper etc. I really don’t want to sin.
 
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