How Specific is Too Specific?

[Sanctus]

Ok, I have been told different things by different priests and I’m really confused. I guess I’m going through an odd bout of being scrupulous. How specific is too specific when we confess our sins? I have been told by priests to just give them a idea of the type of sin. Is that enough? If I just go with the general discription ( which I have been doing for the last coup;e of months now) does it affect the absolution. I guess I’m just kinda confused. If I was too vague when I confessed prior sins was I thereafter receiving Communion not in a State of Grace. Is this something I should run off and find a priest to confess right now or can it wait to my next confession (usually happens about once or twice a month.)? Thanks!

God Bless,

Sanctus

 

[JimG]

I’m not quite sure what you’re talking about here. If you were “too vague” in a prior confession the priest would have asked for more detail. He didn’t, so don’t worry about it.

JimG

 

[Ryan_King]

As far as being “too vague”, you need to worry about it only if you were vague so to intentionally mislead your confessor. I’m guessing that this probably was not the case. As far as how specific you need to be, for mortal sins, you must confess each one in kind and number, (Example, a person confesses to missing Mass on holy days of obligation 7 times, or confesses to fornicating 5 times.) With regard to these sins, one must confess the exact type of sin committed (fornication, not just violating the sixth commandment or unchastity), but one shouldn’t go into any more detail than what is sufficient for the priest to know what the penitent did.

I hope this helps.

 

[newsjag]

Going to confession is really a matter of one’s heart and soul. You should confess all of your sins to the best of your ability. Now if you feel that you need to go into specific details, then you should. Confession does not have one size fits all procedure. Certain times I want to talk more about certain problems in my life. When you leave confession, you should have a clear heart. If you do not feel this way, then you need to go back. Specific is not the problem, it is how you feel. Hope this helps!

 

[Joe_Kelley]

Too vague is confessing that you stole a three foot length of rope and not adding that there was a horse attached to it.

 

[Ivi]

Sanctus:

Ok, I have been told different things by different priests and I’m really confused. I guess I’m going through an odd bout of being scrupulous. How specific is too specific when we confess our sins? I have been told by priests to just give them a idea of the type of sin. Is that enough? If I just go with the general discription ( which I have been doing for the last coup;e of months now) does it affect the absolution. I guess I’m just kinda confused. If I was too vague when I confessed prior sins was I thereafter receiving Communion not in a State of Grace. Is this something I should run off and find a priest to confess right now or can it wait to my next confession (usually happens about once or twice a month.)? Thanks!

God Bless,

Sanctus

Hold on here, Sanctus! Are you confessing the same thing once or twice a month??? If so, what are you doing to make it more difficult to commit this same sin??? If you are doing nothing to make it more difficult, then your “firm resolve…to sin no more” needs firming up. Our work does not begin & end with the confessional door. It is not the end point. Be creative about NOT sinning as you are in your favorite things to do.

Now, if I’ve got this all wrong, I apologize in advance.

Another thing that may be of help – face yourself, man, and go to the same confessor. And try it face to face. If not face to face, give your name, tell him what your plan is. Don’t dodge or hide from your sins. There is GREAT growth in this!!! Face your sins, knowing you already have the Lord’s Victory and Mercy and Love to give you courage. And if it helps YOU in giving details of “what” or “why”, ask your regular confessor if you can do so. And bear in mind, you might need to look around to find someone you can relate to so that you can grow in Christ. Our Lord also wants to help us help ourselves.

 

[newsjag]

Joe Kelley:

Too vague is confessing that you stole a three foot length of rope and not adding that there was a horse attached to it.

HA HA HA HA Love it!