Going to confession with just venial sins?

[Vico]

So basically I can still have a valid Confession without re-confessing ANY past sin? …

I think you mean previously confessed past sin when you say that, even though all sins are past. Venial sins can be expiated by many other remedies than individual confession (Council of Trent, Session XIV, c. 3) for example by worthy reception of Holy Communion. Because there is grace still, with venial sins, and grace increased by reception of Holy Communion or any other sacrament will forgive the venial sin. The remission of venial sin may be *hindered *by attachment to those sins.

The only time you would need to add a mortal sin that you confessed previously, is if the absence of sorrow for your venial sin was conscious and you wanted to confess it anyway. In that case without adding a mortal sin previously confessed, it would be sacrilegious if the absence of sorrow was conscious, and the confession also would be invalid. Also in Baltimore Cat. “If a person has only venial sins to confess, he must have the purpose of avoiding at least one of them.”

 

[Joe_5859]

So basically I can still have a valid Confession without re-confessing ANY past sin? I have issues with reconfessing past sins since I am already dealing with scruples, and my spiritual director does not like me re-confessing sins. I do wish I can forget about past sins and “move on”.

Will my next Confession be valid if I knowingly confess only current sins without re-confessing anything from the past? I’m scared to go back to Confession because I’ve already made several general Confessions with different priests, and I still feel I haven’t sufficiently confessed my past serious sins.

I just want to be free from confessing any past sin ever again!

As has been said, the above quotations are recommendations, not obligations; and they come from local catechisms, not Canon Law. They do not speak to the validity of the sacrament at all.

If you suffer from scruples, you need to listen to your spiritual director. There is likely a very good reason he doesn’t like you re-confessing sins. Follow his advice.

 

[chimo]

I read somewhere that if you go to confession with only venial sins then you should tell a mortal sin already confessed in your past life for which you are truly sorry because it is not easy to be truly sorry for slight sins and imperfections. Has anyone ever heard that before and do you have to do that? I tend to be scrupulous and know that scrupulous people should not confess sins they have already confessed. Thanks!

Why tell the Lord about something you have already confessed? Forget the past once you have been forgiven otherwise you are not trusting the Lord. Going to Confession explaining your venial sins is worthy to mention and you need not to beef it up just because you do not feel sorry. The requirement to be truly sorry for one’s sins is just the acknowledgement of them. I would forget whatever advice about confessing some mortal sin just to make it possible to be truly sorry. These advices even from outdated catechisms do not serve the purpose for what Confession was intended for.

 

[Mike_Dye]

I am a huge fan of frequent confession, at least once a month.
I remember as a child being told that re-confessing past mortal sins was a prudent thing to do.
If you were truly sorry when you confessed and had a firm purpose of amendment there seems to be no reason to re-confess and I don’t. As far as confessing venial sins goes I always confess them. Remember that a sacrament is an outward sign instituted by Christ to give grace. The giving grace part is what I concentrate on. The grace to avoid future sin.

 

[Bookcat]

Why tell the Lord about something you have already confessed? There are various good theological reasons to do so -even beyond the reason for the recommendation -but such is not for this threadForget the past once you have been forgiven otherwise you are not trusting the Lord such in itself is not a manifestation of lack of trust - for some perhaps - but not per se–but yes one need not re-confess an already confessed and forgiven sin. Going to Confession explaining your venial sins is worthy to mention and you need not to beef it up just because you do not feel sorry. The requirement to be truly sorry for one’s sins is just the acknowledgement of themsuch can yes be implicit in the act of confession etc but it is not just the acknowlegment. I would forget whatever advice about confessing some mortal sin just to make it possible to be truly sorry.] These advices even from outdated catechisms do not serve the purpose for what Confession was intended for. not the case. Such can yes be a part of confession -but for some it may not be good to re-mention particular sins

 

[Bookcat]

As has been said, the above quotations are recommendations, not obligations; and they come from local catechisms, not Canon Law. They do not speak to the validity of the sacrament at all.

If you suffer from scruples, you need to listen to your spiritual director. There is likely a very good reason he doesn’t like you re-confessing sins. Follow his advice.

 

[InLight247]

It is important to note that the purpose of amendment for venial sins need not be the same as that for mortal sins. If I confess murder I need to have the amendment of intending to not murder anyone…but if I confess say venial sins that I say commit often …I can be amended to working on making them less …of seeking to be better about that matter (that is one example of purpose of amendment in terms of venial sins)…such is very good and fine.

The purpose of the Sacrament of Confession is to make things right with God, the Church, and self. Regardless our sin is mortal or venial, the sincerity of repentance should be the same. Whether we could really overcome a particular sin after the confession is another matter, but our true contrition and resolution should be there when we make the confession. The Church encourages confession of venial sin so we may continue to work toward holiness.

There is a difference between "being scrupulous” and “working toward holiness” . “A scrupulous person sees sin where there is no sin and suffers from his scrupulosity. A person aims on holiness knows where he misses the mark. He responds to God’s grace to work on his shortcomings without suffering scrupulosity.

 

[Bookcat]

The purpose of the Sacrament of Confession is to make things right with God, the Church, and self. Regardless our sin is mortal or venial, the sincerity of repentance should be the same. Whether we could really overcome a particular sin after the confession is another matter, but our true contrition and resolution should be there when we make the confession. The Church encourages confession of venial sin so we may continue to work toward holiness.

No the repentance need not be “the same” for venial sin as for mortal sin.

Yes there is to be contrition and purpose of amendment regardless of the kind of sin. But what I noted there is the case and it is important to keep this in mind in the practice of frequent confession.

Yes you are correct that confession of venial sin is yes encouraged and helpful in following Christ and being more conformed to him…more holy. Yes certainly.

 

[Lormar]

Baltimore Catechism No. 3Q. 782. What should one do who has only venial sins to confess?
A. One who has only venial sins to confess should tell also some sin already confessed in his past life for which he knows he is truly sorry; because it is not easy to be truly sorry for slight sins and imperfections, and yet we must be sorry for the sins confessed that our confession may be valid – hence we add some past sin for which we are truly sorry to those for which we may not be sufficiently sorry.

For years that is how I went to confession because I was taught from the Baltimore Catechism. About four or five years ago we got a new pastor in our parish. I went to confession to him the way I had been going to confession for well over fifty years. He screamed at me. Literally. Because I had mentioned a mortal sin from the past by saying “For these sins and all the sins of my life, especially xxxxx.” No priest ever spoke like that to me in my life in the confessional. It was so bad, that I could finally understand why some Catholics never darken a confessional door again after getting a priest like that.

Anyway, he told me I was making a mockery of God’s mercy and a mockery of the sacrament of penance by mentioning a mortal sin that had already been forgiven.

Since that time, I admit to being completely confused as to how to go to confession, and what I should and shouldn’t say.

 

[Bookcat]

For years that is how I went to confession because I was taught from the Baltimore Catechism. About four or five years ago we got a new pastor in our parish. I went to confession to him the way I had been going to confession for well over fifty years. He screamed at me. Literally. Because I had mentioned a mortal sin from the past by saying “For these sins and all the sins of my life, especially xxxxx.” No priest ever spoke like that to me in my life in the confessional. It was so bad, that I could finally understand why some Catholics never darken a confessional door again after getting a priest like that.

Anyway, he told me I was making a mockery of God’s mercy and a mockery of the sacrament of penance by mentioning a mortal sin that had already been forgiven.

Since that time, I admit to being completely confused as to how to go to confession, and what I should and shouldn’t say.

Be not confused - feel free to confess in such a manner - but perhaps do not go to him…such should never happen. Very sorry for your experience - such is not the norm - maybe he had a very bad day that day.

 

[Vico]

For years that is how I went to confession because I was taught from the Baltimore Catechism. About four or five years ago we got a new pastor in our parish. I went to confession to him the way I had been going to confession for well over fifty years. He screamed at me. Literally. Because I had mentioned a mortal sin from the past by saying “For these sins and all the sins of my life, especially xxxxx.” No priest ever spoke like that to me in my life in the confessional. It was so bad, that I could finally understand why some Catholics never darken a confessional door again after getting a priest like that.

Anyway, he told me I was making a mockery of God’s mercy and a mockery of the sacrament of penance by mentioning a mortal sin that had already been forgiven.

Since that time, I admit to being completely confused as to how to go to confession, and what I should and shouldn’t say.

Obviously, he is unaware of the teaching of the Catholic Church. That must have been horrible to hear him yelling at you!

 

[Lormar]

I’m glad it happened to me because throughout my life I have heard of many Catholics, my own mother included, who stopped going to confession because of such things happening. I could never understand how they could stop going to confession because a priest was harsh, but now I can. And it was on account of these people that I knew I had to go back no matter how nervous I was. I admit to still having qualms about going to confession even after so many years have passed.

The priest that did this is otherwise a good priest. He must have been under a lot of strain and pressure at the time.

 

[porthos11]

I read somewhere that if you go to confession with only venial sins then you should tell a mortal sin already confessed in your past life for which you are truly sorry because it is not easy to be truly sorry for slight sins and imperfections. Has anyone ever heard that before and do you have to do that? I tend to be scrupulous and know that scrupulous people should not confess sins they have already confessed. Thanks!

If you’re scrupulous, then you should also be cautious about confessing only venial sins as well. As with everything scrupulous, go over this with your confessor.

 

[Bookcat]

If you’re scrupulous, then you should also be cautious about confessing only venial sins as well. As with everything scrupulous, go over this with your confessor.

A person who is scrupulous can confess only venial sins -but they may need to be told by their confessor say to only take X amount of time in examining for them and to include the rest in a general way.

And yes a person with scruples should have a “regular confessor” who can guide them.

 

[Lormar]

Would someone here be kind enough to make up a “phony confession” and post it as an example of what to say if no mortal sins have been committed?

 

[Joe_5859]

Would someone here be kind enough to make up a “phony confession” and post it as an example of what to say if no mortal sins have been committed?

“I was impatient with my family. I probably ate more food than I should have at times. I did not promptly recuse myself from conversations that were a bit gossipy.”

 

[Bookcat]

Would someone here be kind enough to make up a “phony confession” and post it as an example of what to say if no mortal sins have been committed?

It can be done in such a case in MANY ways.

Some examples:

A:

I accuse myself of anger, of lying, of selfishness, and impatience, stealing a dollar (I later returned it), being impatient with my children, intemperance in eating, of not giving the attention I should to my children, of complaining when I should not and all the sins of my life especially those against chastity.

B:

I accuse myself of anger, I have been (sinfully) angry at my wife and during work and even with my children and all the sins of my life especially those of anger.

C:

I accuse myself of the times in my life where I have sinned often in the area of anger, and impatience and selfishness. And all the sins of my life.

D:

I accuse myself selfishness and anger, and all the sins of my life especially of anger.

 

[Lormar]

It can be done in such a case in MANY ways.

Some examples:

A:

I accuse myself of anger, of lying, of selfishness, and impatience, stealing a dollar (I later returned it), being impatient with my children, intemperance in eating, of not giving the attention I should to my children, of complaining when I should not and all the sins of my life especially those against chastity.

B:

I accuse myself of anger, I have been (sinfully) angry at my wife and during work and even with my children and all the sins of my life especially those of anger.

C:

I accuse myself of the times in my life where I have sinned often in the area of anger, and impatience and selfishness. And all the sins of my life.

D:

I accuse myself selfishness and anger, and all the sins of my life especially of anger.

Thank you very much.

That’s the way I was always doing it and will continue to do so.

I do appreciate you taking the time to do this.

 

[Bookcat]

Thank you very much.

That’s the way I was always doing it and will continue to do so.

I do appreciate you taking the time to do this.

Your very welcome

 

[BLP]

Interesting. I’ve never use the words, “I accuse myself” in confession.

I’m a member of a very traditional parish in which frequent confession is considered normal. Thank God! My spiritual life has flourished since I joined this parish and began going to confession regularly and I believe this is why. I have been told by my priest on numerous occasions that I have made a good confession. Here’s my method if I only have venial sins to confess. I say the sins and then say for these sins, for any sins I might have forgotten, and all my past sins especially my sin(s) against _________, I seek mercy and forgiveness.

Maybe this will help someone, I hope.
God Bless!