How should I structure my confession?

[migencluz]

It is my first time to go to confession in a long time (around 7 years), and I have sinned so many times within that time period. I know that when we confess, it is a good idea to say how many times I have committed a certain sin, and what exactly was the situation. But what if I don’t remember how many times? And the situation is different each time.

Do I just say, “Father, I have lied so many times during the past 7 years, but these are my most recent cases… and this one was the one I regretted the most…”?

 

[tweedlealice]

Welcome megancluz,
You are an adult now. The frequency over 7 years is not going to be accurate. Say you are a married and you quarrel often w your spouse. What are the issues? Do you start the arguments? Do the two of you try to solve the problems and make up? Have you had lustful thoughts toward another man or men that you don’t try to stop w saying scripture verses.Do you say vulgar words? Do you hate anyone. Are you vain? Are you prideful?
You start w categories and not situations. But you can clarify the category and how it affects your life w explaining w the situation. I am not a good housekeeper. I keep secrets from my spouse. Look at yourself as Jesus would want you in your position in life and every thing else is an OOPS. It’s more like going to a psychiatrist w counseling but your soul is cleansed. Hope that helps. Add this is all I can recall,if there are other sins may I please be forgiven those I forgot.

in Christs love
tweedlealice

 

[migencluz]

I apologize for being general. I am a guy and I am 17 years old, and discerning my vocation.
Would it be something like, (not saying if this accurately depicts my sins, but say for the past 7 years, I frequently lied, masturbated, and received the Holy Communion in state of mortal sin), “Father, I have not been to confession in 7 years, and I do not remember how many times I have sinned, but I am sure it is a lot! I am a frequent liar. I always got tempted to say things that are not true to impress other people. I also masturbated a lot. I thought that it would relieve my stress. And every mass, I went to receive the Holy Communion in state of mortal sin. I thought it was embarrassing to sit down while everyone else got up…”

 

[MaryT777]

I apologize for being general. I am a guy and I am 17 years old, and discerning my vocation.
Would it be something like, (not saying if this accurately depicts my sins, but say for the past 7 years, I frequently lied, masturbated, and received the Holy Communion in state of mortal sin), “Father, I have not been to confession in 7 years, and I do not remember how many times I have sinned, but I am sure it is a lot! I am a frequent liar. I always got tempted to say things that are not true to impress other people. I also masturbated a lot. I thought that it would relieve my stress. And every mass, I went to receive the Holy Communion in state of mortal sin. I thought it was embarrassing to sit down while everyone else got up…”

This approach sounds perfect for a confession for 7 years, go with it and the priest will help guide you as well.

Mary.

 

[Joy2day]

I apologize for being general. I am a guy and I am 17 years old, and discerning my vocation.
Would it be something like, (not saying if this accurately depicts my sins, but say for the past 7 years, I frequently lied, masturbated, and received the Holy Communion in state of mortal sin), “Father, I have not been to confession in 7 years, and I do not remember how many times I have sinned, but I am sure it is a lot! I am a frequent liar. I always got tempted to say things that are not true to impress other people. I also masturbated a lot. I thought that it would relieve my stress. And every mass, I went to receive the Holy Communion in state of mortal sin. I thought it was embarrassing to sit down while everyone else got up…”

Yeah, cause when you sit there and everybody else goes up, you realise they all know exactly why you’re not receiving…! cause you’ve been lying again…

 

[St_Francis]

Tell your sins in kind and number; elaborate only when there are circumstances which make it worse.

So you can say: I shoplifted avout once a week for 2 and a half years then tapered off. (estimate number of times)

One time I shoplifted with my little sister, whom I talked into doing it. (aspect which makes sin worse)

Don’t explain how poverty, parental strictness, mockery of friends, or anything like that was a factor.

 

[migencluz]

Yeah, cause when you sit there and everybody else goes up, you realise they all know exactly why you’re not receiving…! cause you’ve been lying again…

I’m not talking about the sins themselves. I know what sins I have committed, and I specifically said that the sins I listed were just provided as examples. I was just asking what the best way to tell Father my sins if I have done them too many times to provide even a good estimate of a number.

 

[tweedlealice]

It is my first time to go to confession in a long time (around 7 years), and I have sinned so many times within that time period. I know that when we confess, it is a good idea to say how many times I have committed a certain sin, and what exactly was the situation. But what if I don’t remember how many times? And the situation is different each time.

Do I just say, “Father, I have lied so many times during the past 7 years, but these are my most recent cases… and this one was the one I regretted the most…”?

That sounds good. Define what is your worse sin. How frequent is it. You did it last?What ever penance he gives you, I advice you to look up scripture verses to write in a little pocket note book. When you are tempted you can pull the note book out and quote the scriptures. Memorize St. Michael the Archangel’s prayer. There is a St. Anthony prayer book you can get at your church novelty store. There are prayers for purity and to resist the devil there.

GLORIOUS ST. ANTHONY, I SALUTE YOU AS A GREAT SERVANT OF CHRIST, AND A SPECIAL FRIEND OF GOD.YOU ONCE WERE FAVORED TO HOLD THE CHRIST CHILD IN YOUR ARMS AS YOU CHERISHED HIS WORD IN YOU HEART…TODAY, I PLACE ALL THIS DEAR CHILD’S CARES, TEMPTATIONS AND ANXIETIES IN YOUR HANDS. I RESOLVE EVER TO HONOR YOU BY IMITATING YOUR EXAMPLE OF PURITY…POWERFUL PATRON, MODEL OF PURITY AND VICTOR OVER FLESHLY IMPULSES, PLEASE WIN FOR ME AND FOR ALL DEVOTED TO YOU PERFECT PURITY OF BODY, MIND, AND HEART. I PROMISE BY MY EXAMPLE AND COUNSEL TO HELP OTHERS TO GROW IN THIS KNOWLEDGE, LOVE AND SERVICE OF GOD. AMEN

Seek ye first the kingdom of God and everything else is added unto you.

in Christ’s love
tweedlealice