How many sins do you usually confess at confession?

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I’m just wondering. I usually can think of three or four sins (and their usually the same things).
 
It doesn’t matter. One confesses what they need to. That number can vary during life.
 
Do you perform an examination of conscience before you go? Some people do it nightly to keep themselves on the straight and narrow and it will certainly help you remember anything that might be slipping through the cracks.

I’m good for about 3 to 4 myself, but lately less. I pray I can continue this trend, God willing.
 
I have heard of some people overdoing it by wrinting down a record of what they might have done … go with your heart and check with the catechism to be sure what would constitute you to be in mortal sin before confession if they are venial you normally don’thave to go to confession for that because the graces that the Eucharist provides forgiveness but to keep within the discipline of the church once a year not a a bad a idea so in response I don’t think there is a human being that can remember every sin he or she has ever done may they be mortal then that would weigh in one one’s heart for sure I hope that helps
 
I try to go weekly, and usually end up confessing the same 5-6 sins; I am trying to get away from doing them altogether but I have chipped other away over time. I last maybe a a day or so before I slip into the usual 5-6 again.

I do an examination of self before confession; I wrote it down once on a note pad on my smart phone and the priest was taken back when I pulled it out to read it. He made me put it away and say from the heart. Some priests let you write it down, on paper, and read it from there it depends. But look deep within yourself, be true and speak with your heart.
 
jmfiore said:
I try to go weekly, and usually end up confessing the same 5-6 sins; I am trying to get away from doing them altogether but I have chipped other away over time. I last maybe a a day or so before I slip into the usual 5-6 again.

I do an examination of self before confession; I wrote it down once on a note pad on my smart phone and the priest was taken back when I pulled it out to read it. He made me put it away and say from the heart. Some priests let you write it down, on paper, and read it from there it depends. But look deep within yourself, be true and speak with your heart.
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Don’t feel I myself, and proably many others do the same that is one of the beautifuli things about our faith in the church is that as being a sacrament confession provides a type of grace that as you said helps chips away those particular sins that we have …I think that is one of the things as growing up protestant many believers in those traditions do not get to experience
 
When I returned to the Church after a 30 year absence, I had to write down all my sins after a through examination of my conscious. If I remember correctly I had around 30+ sins to confess. Since then I go about once a month even if I do not have a mortal sin and I usually confess around 4-5 sins (usually the same ones). I have overcome a couple sins that I used to repeat. It was really scary going that first time after 30 years but now I look forward to it although I still get a little nervous when I’m next in line. But when it is over I feel so good that I got the chance to talk to God and to tell him that I am sorry for offending Him and will try as hard as I can not to make the same mistakes.
 
NFrancis said:
I’m just wondering. I usually can think of three or four sins (and their usually the same things).
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I confess the sins I have committed. In kind and number… Just like anyone should.
 
Suppose one committed four mortal sins. Do you confess only three and leave one out. That would be terrible. One should confess all mortal sins committed. Venal sins should not be discarded either. Remember confession is before a priest, but really one is addressing God.
 
Having read all the posts, I got the feeling that some may be repeating the sins that they had previously confessed. Once confessed, they’re forgiven. If you’ve repeated the sin since the last confession, then you need to confess again.
 
aicirt said:
Having read all the posts, I got the feeling that some may be repeating the sins that they had previously confessed. Once confessed, they’re forgiven. If you’ve repeated the sin since the last confession, then you need to confess again.
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I don’t have that impression; I think the posters are indicating that, like so many of us, our failings (which may or may not be mortal sins) are habitual – I confessed, say, “gossiping” last month and will confess it again this month.
 
CRATUS said:
I am not sure if this thread is a good idea. It can create comparison
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I thought about that too, so I hesitated posting. I also think that people sometimes have a need to know that they are not so different from everyone else, so if it can foster a sense of camaraderie, that we’re all in this together, then it is probably not a bad thing.

I also fall into the category of confessing the same few habitual sins, over and over, every week. I should be making progress, I know, but it is slow in happening. My confessions tend to be brief, compared to others, and I sometimes wonder if my examination of conscience is not detailed enough. As you say, in that case it is not good to compare myself with others, but some people, the same people I see week after week, take an awfully long time in the confessional, sometimes 15 minutes or more (and confessions are only scheduled for a half hour where I go), usually when I’m behind them waiting in line. Then I have to add the lack of patience to my list of sins and imperfections when its my turn :(.
 
I had written a more detailed account of how many and how often but then I read the person’s post that this may not be a good idea because it may create a comparison and I agree that might not be a good thing. We are all sinners and without God’s Grace not a single one of us would make it to Heaven. I do suffer from some habitual sins, that I confess at every confession because I do them in between confessions. I pray for help to stop doing these things, and they are improving but not gone yet.

Regarding an examination of conscience:
I try to keep a note on my phone and write down anything I do that the Holy Spirit convicts me in my heart of and tells me was a sin. I keep a running list in between confessions. I have also begun trying to remember to do a daily examination of conscience (which I have not developed into a habit yet, I’m working on it) and then I use the Confession App in the Laudate on my iPhone before Confession to try and ensure I’ve not forgotten anything. I pray to the Holy Spirit before the sacrament of Reconciliation for the priest to have guidance from the Holy Spirit and for the Holy Spirit to help me to make a full and complete confession and to help me to be truly contrite and sorry for my sins.

I try to confess weekly or at least every two weeks. I don’t like to go longer than two weeks between confessions but that’s just me. I like that feeling of cleanness I have after a confession, and I hate the feeling I get when my sins are adding up and weighing me down. I also have trouble discerning between venial and mortal sin and don’t want to accidentally partake of the Eucharist with a mortal sin on my soul.
 
I’m glad this thread was posted, personally. I see the same pattern (weekly or bi-weekly confessing 5-6 sins). God is generous with His grace, and I have been able to overcome many bad habits. It is easy, however, to get frustrated and feel the temptation to give up on the fight. Glad to know others are trying to run the good race.
 
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