Hiding how often you have been confessing

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Gabrielle

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When I was a teenager I had the tendency of going to confession too often, and I remember when the priest would ask how long it was since my past confession instead of saying it had been a week, I would tell him “ It’s been some time” or “ It’s been a while” or “ It’s not been long” or I would skip that part and get right to the sins. Did this make my confessions invalid?
 
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No i too do the same, i skip that part at time .but one of the conditions to confess, is to mention the last time you confessed .you can go to a different priest if you feel uncomfortable,going to the same priest ,or just speak to him that you want to grow spiritually close to Jesus or am facing problems,he’ll understand.
 
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It sounds like scrupulosity.
How old are you now?
I assume you don’t do that anymore?
 
I really don’t know why anyone would do this, Gabrielle. Are you afraid the priest would suggest that you confess less often than you’d like? If you have a regular confessor who knows you, any suggestion he makes is with your best interests in mind.

Whatever you say to the priest, God knows the truth. You’re not fooling Him.
 
I’m 25 and no I don’t. I still worry about my confessions terribly though.
 
In 25 now 🙂 This was from back when I was 13-14. I don’t really remember weather I was afraid of him telling me to confess less, or if I just didn’t want him to know I was the same person.
 
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This is not something that you should worry about at all. If Father does recognize you, he will be happy about your faithfulness to the sacrament. Whether or not he recognizes you, the Lord does and he is pleased you’re back in the confessional! Be at peace and God bless.
 
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@Gabrielle

The Catechism of the Catholic Church, in No. 1458, says, “Without being strictly necessary, confession of everyday faults (venial sins) is nevertheless strongly recommended by the Church. Indeed the regular confession of our venial sins helps us form our conscience, fight against evil tendencies, let ourselves be healed by Christ and progress in the life of the Spirit.” Still, a confession is valid even if someone doesn’t mention all his venial sins.

http://www.vatican.va/archive/ccc_css/archive/catechism/p2s2c2a4.htm

Well Saints confessed daily ,we are all called to be one .God Bless

http://whitelilyoftrinity.com/saints_quotes_confession.html
 
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What is the point of fudging the dates?
God knows already.
Do that, and you have to add “I tell lies” to your list of sins. 😣
 
Gabrielle said:
I’m 25 and no I don’t. I still worry about my confessions terribly though.
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Then ask in your next confession. I’ll bet you aren’t the only one who has done this. But it’s very good that you’re not doing it anymore.
 
First Pray to Jesus to find some pious priest ,and then approach few of your family friends or at your Catholic Church ,parishioners, any nuns you meet, any of your good catholic contacts,ets
 
Why would you not tell in a Confession when asked and you know the answer?

You should be happy that you confess regularly. There’s nothing to be shy about our sins though humanly we do sometimes. There’s no choice about that unless you confess to another priest.

In any case, you have to address being unable to tell the truth because it is wrong and defeat the very purpose of Confession itself.

God bless.
 
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You could start with contacting your parish and making an appointment with the pastor. Some parishes have regular confession hours and it’s often the same priest. Or ir there is a religious order nearby, you could seek help there.

I go to Mass at a Benedictine abbey; confession is 1/2 hr before Mass, and it’s always the same monk-priest unless he is away. His back-up is the former confessor, so both know me and my foibles quite well 😉
 
I don’t think it is sacrilegious except that it was not proper not to tell when you were asked by the priest. Anyway, since it was done years ago, and now that you know better, you can leave those episodes behind.

God bless.
 
I completely agree with Reuben J. It’s been years ago, I wouldn’t worry about it anymore. If you are that concerned confess ONE time to a priest that you used to lie about how often you went to confession when you were a teen and now you don’t but still feel bad about it. He could put your mind at ease.

God bless.
 
http://www.usccb.org/prayer-and-wor...entals/penance/examinations-of-conscience.cfm

Before celebrating the Sacrament of Penance, one should prepare oneself with an examination of conscience, which involves reflecting prayerfully on one’s thoughts, words, and deeds in order to identify any sins.

There are various types of examinations of conscience but regardless of which one you use to prepare yourself for the Sacrament it should be rooted in Scripture; particularly, the Ten Commandments and Beatitudes. Below are a few examples of Examinations of Conscience that can help you prepare for the Sacrament.

Hope this helps
 
Made me smile ( and I’m sure God did as well) that you lied about how often you were going. Normally, it’s the other way round. You were a child. You repented and changed your ways. You’re all good.
 
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