In Confession do you go into details or do you name the type of sin and how many times it was committed?

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I know you start by saying “Forgive me father for I have sinned” I’m new to this so then i would say “I have never been to confession” but then do you go into detail about every sin I’ve ever committed or do you list the type and then how many times?
 
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If this is your first confession simply tell the priest so. If you’re in RCIA and preparing for the sacraments, they should walk you through the sacrament so you know what to do and what to expect.

You don’t have to go into great detail about your sins. Give enough info so the priest can put it into context – there’s a difference between “I stole a piece of candy from my co-worker’s desk” and “I stole a car.” But generally if the priest needs more information, he’ll ask you.
 
You can Google “Examination of Conscience checklist” and it will yield multiple guides on what questions to ask yourself. These tools can really broaden your self assessment and assist you with disecting each Commandment. It may help with the level of detail you present during confession.
 
SuscipeMeDomine said:
But generally if the priest needs more information, he’ll ask you.
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^This. Also, if it’s a sin that you seem to keep bringing to confession over and over again, it helps to provide more details on it to help the your confessor offer you tailored advice.
 
Well I’ve thought back on my life…the first 20 years i was in complete ignorance of the gospel and any other religion… and I came up with a looseleaf page of regretful actions…is that alot? I don’t have a criminal record if that gives you a sense of what I wrote down.
 
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Bless me Father for I have sinned, it has been X since my last confession,

Against the 1st Commandment I have sinned X times

Against the 2nd Commandment and so on. If the priest needs more details, he asks.
 
I’m definitely not in any position to answer how long or intense your confession should be. Do not be afraid or embarrassed. Priests have heard it all and are not there to judge. They are sinners too and go to confession as well. I was away from the Church a long time and I made a face to face confession because I had so much to get off my chest and I wanted it to be more personal. You’ve got this!!! Sending a prayer your way for your strength.
 
An aside here:

I got it from the USCCB site, but begin with "I confess to Almighty God, and to you father, that I have sinned. It has been (x) since my last confession. My mortal sin(s) are: // My venial sins are: "
Hopefully the list is short and not much detail is needed to convey the what/why of sin…like others say, if the priest needs to know, he will ask. Also, if you’re unsure of something like this, it’s perfectly ok to tell the priest and ask questions regarding the confession right there.

Blessings,
 
I’m in Canada if that makes a difference in what I say first. I wrote out a page with a short detailed sentence about each offense and how many times commited. I counted 30 different sins some happened more times then I can remember.
 
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Because so little time is allotted anymore in many parishes for confession, it may not be fair to others waiting outside to go into a lot of detail about each sin. If you feel the need to do so, make a separate appointment with the priest for a time period other than the hour or half-hour in some cases allotted for regular confessions. That way, you might have more time to elaborate on certain sins, if the priest needs more information. Otherwise, just confess the sins and answer any questions the priest might ask you – and accept absolution joyfully, then do your penance outside of the confessional.
 
Be bold, be brief, and be gone. One of our priest members here gives this advice.
 
jredden92 said:
I know you start by saying “Forgive me father for I have sinned” I’m new to this so then i would say “I have never been to confession” but then do you go into detail about every sin I’ve ever committed or do you list the type and then how many times?
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It will be your first Confession, your Priest will know and will help you with it, just remind him it is your first confession and if you are going into too much detail, he will halt you, if he needs more info, he will ask you.
 
In my experience, the priests will often ask for more details, if they need now context. They can be very good at knowing if you’re holding back something, so don’t hold back. Better to let it out.
 
jredden92 said:
I’m in Canada if that makes a difference in what I say first.
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It makes no difference, I was simply giving an example. The priest will get the point either way, and if he has an issue with how you say something I’m sure he’ll provide loving correction.
Just don’t fear the priest. He is there to help you gain absolution, not to condemn you. Be transparent, have no fear.
 
I do not go into details unless the priest asks. Since I cannot remember the number of times, I try to keep it pretty general. I may say, I have committed this sin more than once or several times. But I usually do not put forth a number. Mainly because I cannot really remember how many times.
It also helps for me to go to confession every two or three weeks. It helps my memory.
 
That’s too vague. As an example, if someone confesses that they’ve sinned against the 6th commandment, that includes everything from playing with sexual thoughts, masturbation and porn to adultary.

So just say it as it is. There is really nothing new under the sun, and you won’t shock the priest.

If you are confessing a mortal sin, you should include an estimate of how often you’ve committed a sin. But don’t get too hung up on a specific number, just give him a general sense of the situation. Generally, it the priests need to know more in order to guide you, he will ask.

Perhaps this video by Fr. Mike Schmitz may help you out on some common questions about the sacrament:
and this very beautiful one:
.

Edit: Fixed the links
 
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As I have been Catholic for decades, and I have confessed to many priests, this is the method of confession I was taught by those priests.

As I said, when a priest wants clarification or details, they always ask.
 
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