How to verbalize sexual sin in confession?

[JimG]

How hard is it to say masturbation, adultery, fornication, pornography? Just say the word that applies!

 

[JDHallKY]

I have actually heard a priest recommend saying “I was impure with myself.” It is clear enough that it will be perfectly clear to the priest what you mean.

I understand where everyone is coming from by saying that we should just come out and say the proper name for our sins, but for some people dealing with certain sins, I’m sure it can be very difficult to come out and say a word like “masturbation” while kneeling in a confessional. To make a valid confession, we need to identify our sin with enough precision that the priest understands what we did. Saying either “masturbation” or “I was impure with myself” seems to get the job done.

 

[teachccd]

I have actually heard a priest recommend saying “I was impure with myself.” It is clear enough that it will be perfectly clear to the priest what you mean.

I understand where everyone is coming from by saying that we should just come out and say the proper name for our sins, but for some people dealing with certain sins, I’m sure it can be very difficult to come out and say a word like “masturbation” while kneeling in a confessional. To make a valid confession, we need to identify our sin with enough precision that the priest understands what we did. Saying either “masturbation” or “I was impure with myself” seems to get the job done.

I concur. However sometimes using the more difficult terminology humbles us to a greater degree. It could never be as hard as what Christ did for us to free us from that sin…teachccd

 

[brittrossiter]

Just say it: you masturbated. You won’t be able to hide behind euphemisms at the final judgment. You may as well get good practice in Confession.

 

[IceCathedral]

Hi there! I understand how you feel. I used to (still do sometimes) feel really nervous when going to the confessional and had a hard time saying something as simple as “watching a movie with lots of sex.” But I heard someone say that when you confess your sins, you’re really confessing your sins to Jesus, the priest acts like a telephone. Don’t remember where I heard that, sorry. Anyway, after that, whenever I go to confession, I would envision Jesus sitting on the other side of the confessional and I would not feel scared, nervous anymore. Of course I was still ashamed and sorry for my sins, even more so, but I felt more relaxed. Sometimes, I would even say “But, Jesus, I am really sorry for having done that, please forgive me.” Almost said “I love you so much,” but thought better not to confuse the priest. So, pray for courage and crush your pride, imagine that Jesus is sitting on the other side, and confess!

 

[RitaM]

I always call masturbation what it is. Sometimes just the thought that I’m going to have to say it to the young priest in the reconciliation room is enough to keep me from committing the act!

 

[Karl_M]

Just come right out and say it. Sit behind the privacy screen if that helps.

 

[brittrossiter]

I always call masturbation what it is. Sometimes just the thought that I’m going to have to say it to the young priest in the reconciliation room is enough to keep me from committing the act!

Indeed.

 

[PeteZaHut]

I was impure with myself x number of times.

Confess it first if you’re nervous about it.

Every priest has heard this sin confessed a million times. Like the other posters have said, he won’t be shocked.

can being impure with your self be a number of sins? should you be more specific?

 

[jmcrae]

can being impure with your self be a number of sins? should you be more specific?

If the priest asks for an explanation, then explain it. Otherwise, you’re fine. The priest is there to help you; not to judge you. It may also be that he considers it sufficient that you have confessed sinning in a sexual way; he may decide that he doesn’t need any details.

 

[valient_Lucy]

I find it astounding that people find it easier to confess their sins on a public news board that is available to all the world (or at least to everyone who can read English) than to their own priest in the privacy of the Confessional.

I’m not meaning to make anybody feel bad - I just think it’s interesting how our minds work; that somehow, we feel safer - less likely to be noticed - out here in the public eye in front of the whole world, than we do in the privacy of the Confessional.

In reality, of course, the Confessional is much safer - but the Devil doesn’t like us to think so, I suspect.

That’s a very good point. Maybe there’s something about actually HEARING ourselves say the word that makes it much more difficult.