How much detail is necessary to confess?

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Hello everyone,

In follow up to this:
forum.catholic.com/showthread.php?t=45305

I have decided not to write down every single imperfection including those that are just-in-case. I plan to write down every sin that met the criteria of being a grave matter in detail.

But what I am wondering about is just how much detail is needed?

Could someone please give me examples of how you should confess so that I would have an idea of how detailed the confession should be?

EDIT: OOPS! Used fiance’s ID again. This is HERMIONE.
 
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Alterum:
Hello everyone,

In follow up to this:
forum.catholic.com/showthread.php?t=45305

I have decided not to write down every single imperfection including those that are just-in-case. I plan to write down every sin that met the criteria of being a grave matter in detail.

But what I am wondering about is just how much detail is needed?

Could someone please give me examples of how you should confess so that I would have an idea of how detailed the confession should be?

EDIT: OOPS! Used fiance’s ID again. This is HERMIONE.
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Say exactly what the sin was, dont dance around the issue. You dont need to go into detail.

For example if you got drunk, and had premarital sex.
Do say: Father I got drunk and had sex out side of marriage.

If he asks for more specific details then tell him.

(That was an example, I am not accusing anyone of doing this)
 
I cant say this enough, DONT WORRY.

They know its your first time, and even if it was you 100th they are there to help. Open up and let God heal you, dont be scared.

Were behind you all the way
 
Catholic Dude:
I cant say this enough, DONT WORRY.

They know its your first time, and even if it was you 100th they are there to help. Open up and let God heal you, dont be scared.

Were behind you all the way
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I agree. Confession is about grace. However graphic you are, if you fail in your sincerity, it is a pointless exercise. Greater eloquence does not mean you will be ‘better’ forgiven but love of God does. Confess with the honest desire to be reconciled to God. That is enough and transcends all words.
 
Catholic Dude:
Say exactly what the sin was, dont dance around the issue. You dont need to go into detail.
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Excellent answer. Only thing I would add is that more than not needing to go into detail, you should actually avoid details. Just say what the sin was, and how many times you did it. Father will ask for more information if he needs it.
 
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Alterum:
Hello everyone,

In follow up to this:
forum.catholic.com/showthread.php?t=45305

I have decided not to write down every single imperfection including those that are just-in-case. I plan to write down every sin that met the criteria of being a grave matter in detail.

But what I am wondering about is just how much detail is needed?

Could someone please give me examples of how you should confess so that I would have an idea of how detailed the confession should be?

EDIT: OOPS! Used fiance’s ID again. This is HERMIONE.
Click to expand...
Did you ever walk into church for confession and do an examination of conscience and think wildly about how to word your confession of the really embarrassing sin – you know, the one which makes you want to hide under the pew?

Well, if you don’t make the big jump and not hide the really embarrassing sin, your confession is not valid – because you are still protecting the sin.

THAT is how detailed your confession must be. There must be no “sin protection.”

That is the problem with “laundry list” confessions – they aren’t valid if they hide details which your are glad to protect.
 
be honest, be brief, be gone - that was the advice they used to give us in confirmation class. just name the sin and the frequency or degree to which it troubles you, the gory details are not needed.
 
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puzzleannie:
be honest, be brief, be gone - that was the advice they used to give us in confirmation class. just name the sin and the frequency or degree to which it troubles you, the gory details are not needed.
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That’s really great advice…

our pastor says not to place a number on the frequency as that may be inaccurate, just say a few times, some times, many times or leave the quantity off completely. You should be specific but not the gory details, and you don’t want to be too blunt or crass, but you should not be so vague as to be evasive.

BTW even if you forget to mention some sin(s), you are still forgiven it. (in your act of contrittion you do happen to say I’m sorry for these and ALL the sins of my past. I think of this as a cover all blanket admission of guilt.)

IF you feel especially guilty about it or if it really is a major sin (which you should NOT forget anyway.) you may want to confess it a later date or time. I tend to put the really bad stuff up front so I don’t forget. So if I do leave out something, it will be a minor offense.

wc
 
It seems sins of sexual impurity are the most difficult to confess. In case that is what you are reffering to, saying “I committed sins of sexual impurity” is sufficent.
 
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Alterum:
Hello everyone,

In follow up to this:
forum.catholic.com/showthread.php?t=45305

I have decided not to write down every single imperfection including those that are just-in-case. I plan to write down every sin that met the criteria of being a grave matter in detail.

But what I am wondering about is just how much detail is needed?

Could someone please give me examples of how you should confess so that I would have an idea of how detailed the confession should be?

EDIT: OOPS! Used fiance’s ID again. This is HERMIONE.
Click to expand...
You just have to say everything you did that you can remember. Remember, it’s about the condition of your heart.

God Bless
 
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MooCowSteph:
It seems sins of sexual impurity are the most difficult to confess. In case that is what you are reffering to, saying “I committed sins of sexual impurity” is sufficent.
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We have to confess mortal sins in number and in kind.

Masturbation and adultery, for example, are both “sins of sexual impurity.” However, they are not the same kind.

So I would say that “I committed sins of sexual impurity” might not be sufficient unless the priest knows you well enough to know clearly what you mean.
 
The priest does not need all the gory details. As Father Corapi says, you should be in the confessional 5, 10 minutes tops. Some think that talking it through is beneficial but bare in mind what the priest is there to do. He’s not a therapist, he’s an administrator or God’s sacraments. Just go through the 10 commandments and don’t explain things unless the priest asks.

catholic-pages.com/penance/examine.asp
 
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atsheeran:
We have to confess mortal sins in number and in kind.

Masturbation and adultery, for example, are both “sins of sexual impurity.” However, they are not the same kind.

So I would say that “I committed sins of sexual impurity” might not be sufficient unless the priest knows you well enough to know clearly what you mean.
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Although, as we’ve demonstrated, if the priest requires more detail, he is free to ask. If we were required to confess every detail, many would stay away from confession out of embarrassment and pride. Jesus knows what we’ve done, he knows if we are sorry, and He will cleanse us of our sins if we approach confession with true sorrow for our sins and an honest heart. All the gory details are not necessary.
 
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MooCowSteph:
Although, as we’ve demonstrated, if the priest requires more detail, he is free to ask. If we were required to confess every detail, many would stay away from confession out of embarrassment and pride. Jesus knows what we’ve done, he knows if we are sorry, and He will cleanse us of our sins if we approach confession with true sorrow for our sins and an honest heart. All the gory details are not necessary.
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I am not advocating the confessing of “gory details”! Clarity does not require gory details. Just avoid general statements that do not clearly convey what sins you have committed.

All I’m saying is that we should be clear in our confessions.

Canon Law requires this:
Can. 988 §1 The faithful are bound to confess, in kind and in number, all grave sins committed after baptism, of which after careful examination of conscience they are aware, which have not yet been directly pardoned by the keys of the Church, and which have not been confessed in an individual confession.
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“Since my last confession,
I committed fornication twice, adultery three times, viewed internet pornography daily, and gossiped about neighbors routinely.”

Disclaimer: This is not my actual confession. If it were my actual confession I would not post it on an internet forum. It is only an example. Note that it states specific sins but not details. That’s all that’s required.
 
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