How Many Sins to Confess?

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I’m going to Confession tomorrow and it got me thinking: how many sins is it “normal” to confess? I usually confess about 5-6 (venial) sins, although unfortunately it has been more than a month since I last went so I’ll probably come up with a longer list. Sound normal? I don’t want to overdo it, but I also don’t want to underwhelm the priest.

As an aside, how can people go and not have a list? While it’s not difficult coming up with sins when I stop and think and pray, if I’m in Confession I’ve found that listing off more three can be pretty tough! If you’re one of those people who doesn’t have a list, what’s your secret? 🙂
 
A priest once told me that people usually confess about 4 sins. If it’s just venial sins, I wouldn’t confess much more than your usual 5-6.

I’m one that can’t go to Confession without a list. I tried that once and I forgot most of the sins I was planning on confessing.
 
That would depend on each person.
One should not concern oneself with such things.
 
I take a list with me to confession. As for how many sins each person confesses, I think it would be different for each person, and even each time they go to confession.

Whatever mortal sins you can remember should be confessed at that particular confession.

From Canon Law:

Can. 988 §1. A member of the Christian faithful is obliged to confess in kind and number all grave sins committed after baptism and not yet remitted directly through the keys of the Church nor acknowledged in individual confession, of which the person has knowledge after diligent examination of conscience.

§2. It is recommended to the Christian faithful that they also confess venial sins.

Can. 989 After having reached the age of discretion, each member of the faithful is obliged to confess faithfully his or her grave sins at least once a year.

vatican.va/archive/ENG1104/__P3H.HTM
 
Well there really isn’t a limit. I’ve gone in with 20+ sins to confess (since I’m a bit scrupulous) or a list of 6-7.
 
I have never made a list.

My sins are usually pretty clear to me, so it’s not difficult to remember them.

Also, if I’m only confessing venial sins, I trust that the Holy Spirit will allow me to remember the ones that are most important to confess and forget the rest.

And personally – and this is just how I, Gertie the Great, confess; this is not Canon Law or anything – I usually take less than a minute to confess my sins, regardless of the number I am confessing. Two sins or twenty sins, it’s a no-nonsense, no-excuse, no-explanation confession. 😊

But that’s also just sort of my personality as well. I’m very direct when discussing serious things.

God bless you, dear one!
 
I think it helps to examine our conscience on a regular basis, not just before confession, but even daily at the end of the day. That way we’re more in touch with those things, and in a better position to prioritize things to confess.
 
When one is confessing venial sins:

It can be good to focus in on yes several or a few venial sins - working to overcome them and grow in virtue etc (and include the rest ones venial sins in the ending “and all the sins…” - and of course with contrition).
 
Ad_Orientem said:
I think it helps to examine our conscience on a regular basis, not just before confession, but even daily at the end of the day. That way we’re more in touch with those things, and in** a better position to prioritize things to confess**.
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This is excellent advice! 👍
 
CrossofChrist said:
I’m going to Confession tomorrow and it got me thinking: how many sins is it “normal” to confess? I usually confess about 5-6 (venial) sins, although unfortunately it has been more than a month since I last went so I’ll probably come up with a longer list. Sound normal? I don’t want to overdo it, but I also don’t want to underwhelm the priest.

As an aside, how can people go and not have a list? While it’s not difficult coming up with sins when I stop and think and pray, if I’m in Confession I’ve found that listing off more three can be pretty tough! If you’re one of those people who doesn’t have a list, what’s your secret? 🙂
Click to expand...
Bring ‘em on. All of them. The Lord will accept them all. You see, He has extremely big capacity for this sort of thing. 😉

Just kidding you, though in principle it is true.😃

You can categorize your sins, if they are similar, say “Two times I had told a lie.” If it is a mortal sin, give more information to the priest. To me it is the demeanor, you are sincere about confessing it.

Having said that, there is no hard and fast rule about it. Generally we want to be brief because of the practicality of it – there is a line of penitents behind you awaiting their turns which you may be aware of. Sometimes, if the Confession is before the mass, the priest may get up to celebrate (if he is the celebrant) the mass leaving the rest unable to have their Confession.

Even if you have it on Saturday, there is always that queuing. This does not mean you have to hurry yourself or omit some of your sins. You still have to confess them.

As for the note, by all means if you really need it. By and by, you will find it is not necessary anymore. Perhaps you are too anxious. Well, be relaxed. Remember, the Lord forgives. It is people like us sinners that he particularly came for. Without us, he would have no customers.😉

The Lord said, Come to me, you who are heavy laden, and I will give you rest… … We can be burdened by our sins. Coming to him in Confession will delight the Lord, remembering that there is rejoicing in heaven, when we repent (of our sins).

Have a blessed time during your Confession.
 
CrossofChrist said:
If you’re one of those people who doesn’t have a list, what’s your secret? 🙂
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  1. I keep my accounts short, and attend frequently - most of what I confess happened within the last week or so.
  2. I stick to the highlights - if I only have one thing to confess, then that’s all I confess.
  3. If I have several things to confess I group them into categories and decorate my mind palace with them, attaching them to the Commandments to which they are related.
 
I always make a list, every week. I keep a 6"x9" bound notebook and try to stick to one written page…that averages out to about eight sins per confession.

I make (and keep) the lists for a few reasons…
#1 - to remember my sins for confession (of course)
  • to keep my confession short and to stick to the facts, no embellishment with unnecessary details
  • to keep a record of what my penance is (as I usually cannot perform it right away)
  • to keep a record of any helpful advice from the priest
  • to keep a record of what virtues I am working on/vices I am trying to conquer with God’s help.
 
Confiteor_Deo said:
A priest once told me that people usually confess about 4 sins. If it’s just venial sins, I wouldn’t confess much more than your usual 5-6.

I’m one that can’t go to Confession without a list. I tried that once and I forgot most of the sins I was planning on confessing.
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I always take a list or I forget some sins or get sidetracked and then remember as soon as I get out of the confessional and another parishioner goes in. 🙂
 
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