General Confession

[PraiseChrist]

Did anyone here make a thorough general confession, either from a book written by a saint, such as Devout Life, Spiritual Exercises, or if you reverted back to the Church, ect?

How long did you prepare?

And St. Francis de Sales saying that most Catholics need a general confession because of the lack of preparation and contrition really wakes me up.

 

[brad90956]

About 2 years ago I made my first confession since returning to the Church after 30 years. I used 3-4 links from various, trusted Catholic websites (Catholic Answers, EWTN, ect.). I examined my conscience for about 15-20 minutes a night for about 2-3 weeks before going to confession. I did it in short periods of time each night so I would not become overwhelmed and it depressed me after realizing all the ways that I had sinned against God.

When I examined my conscience I tried to go all the way back to grade school, essentially for my entire life. I am sure I missed some mortal sins but I did the very best that I could. I do not go back and rehash the past anymore but if I remember a mortal sin I did not confess (it has only happened to me once so far) I confess it at my next confession.

The only things I can recommend to people going to confession since a long absence is to:

1. Take your time in examining your conscience and after confession do not rack your brain trying to remember more sins from your past because you can easily fall into Scrupulosity.
2. Make an appointment with your priest for a private confession.
3. Write down all your sins and take them with you to confession.
4. Listen attentively to what your priest tells you and follow his advice.

God Bless

 

[Graceful_Lamb]

I used a number of links for examination of conscience for my first confession. It took me about a week to prepare for it. I made an appointment with the priest I wanted to be my confessor for my first confession, so I knew how much time I had to prepare.

 

[larsont7]

Did anyone here make a thorough general confession, either from a book written by a saint, such as Devout Life, Spiritual Exercises, or if you reverted back to the Church, ect?

How long did you prepare?

It only takes as long to prepare as it does to remember all the sins of your past. I have made two general Confessions - one when I came in to the Church, and one when I got a new spiritual director. Brad90956 made a good list of how to prepare, and I would also highly recommend having everything written down beforehand.

 

[thistle]

Did anyone here make a thorough general confession, either from a book written by a saint, such as Devout Life, Spiritual Exercises, or if you reverted back to the Church, ect?

How long did you prepare?

And St. Francis de Sales saying that most Catholics need a general confession because of the lack of preparation and contrition really wakes me up.

I don’t agree that most Catholics need a general Confession. Why would a practising Catholic need to make a General Confession. Each time they go to Confession they confess all remembered mortal sins and any forgotten ones later remembered would be confessed at their next normal Confession.

 

[kdbueno]

General confessions are usually done on a spiritual basis, most especially at occasions done during Christmas, perhaps, eh.

 

[peter26]

I converted to the faith last year and had to make a general confession of all my sins to that point in my life. I discussed what I had to do with my priest, we made an appointment for it, he sent me an examination of conscience, which I reflected on for about a week alongside other examinations. Then he guided me through it. I went in feeling terrified. I came out feeling spotless.

Aside from converts/reverts, a general confession is sometimes recommended for someone about to experience a major life event, e.g. marriage or ordination or a religious profession.

 

[MorEphrem]

I am not a Byzantine and often find the tradition a bit difficult for me to be immersed in, but the preparatory prayer for a confession from St. John Kronstadt is very helpful in my experience: orthodox.net/confess/confmed.html.

I usually find praying it once with contrition before making a confession is all that is needed.

 

[Mary_Ellen]

I made a General Confession just before being received into the Lay Carmelite Order. I set aside two weeks for preparation, having made an appointment with the priest of my choice about a month ahead of time. I used my usual examination of conscience, which consists of about 700 questions (compiled from various websites and edited for my own use) and gentle reflection over my past (I was 48 yrs. old at the time). I produced 13 written pages and it took about 45 minutes to actually confess my sins. It was a wonderful experience, tears and all.

I had already acquired the practice of weekly confession when I’d made my GC and I continue to do so.

St. Frances de Sales’ advice is good but one must be ready for such a big step in their lives. A GC cannot be done lightly and should not be recommended to the scrupulous. It is a good and necessary practice for those entering the Church and should be considered by those entering a new phase in their lives.