In confession are you allowed to hand the priest a written list of sins and just have him read it instead of reading it out loud yourself? (This is assuming there is no extenuating circumstance like someone who is physically unable to speak). I would prefer to do this for several reasons.
Is it a valid confession if the priest reads your list or do you have to read it out loud?
- Thread starter xqr768
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I can't see how that would be a problem, but the priest is probably going to ask you why you chose to give him a list, rather than speaking. The main thing the priest is looking for in confession, is your sorrow for sin, as well as an enumeration of at least all the mortal sins you have confessed.
This said, it is really not the norm for people to do this, writing down a list. The sacrament ordinarily entails an oral confession by the penitent of these sins. At the very least, the priest needs to hear your act of contrition, which he will direct you to recite either before absolution, or while he is conferring absolution (different priests do this different ways).
I don't recommend that people suffering from scrupulosity write out such lists. Not clear if this is the case with you, just saying. Please do not spend hours and hours writing out a long list. If there is something about confession that is troubling you, ask to speak to a priest and make your confession outside of regular hours. Nobody likes the confessional line to be held up by someone who goes in there and takes forever, indeed, one parish in my city actually requests that someone having been away from confession for over a year not confess at the regular time (such as Saturday afternoons), but instead see the priest privately at some other time, when he can give you more individualized attention.
This said, it is really not the norm for people to do this, writing down a list. The sacrament ordinarily entails an oral confession by the penitent of these sins. At the very least, the priest needs to hear your act of contrition, which he will direct you to recite either before absolution, or while he is conferring absolution (different priests do this different ways).
I don't recommend that people suffering from scrupulosity write out such lists. Not clear if this is the case with you, just saying. Please do not spend hours and hours writing out a long list. If there is something about confession that is troubling you, ask to speak to a priest and make your confession outside of regular hours. Nobody likes the confessional line to be held up by someone who goes in there and takes forever, indeed, one parish in my city actually requests that someone having been away from confession for over a year not confess at the regular time (such as Saturday afternoons), but instead see the priest privately at some other time, when he can give you more individualized attention.
BartholomewB
Member
I would suggest that you ask each priest for his answer to your question. They might not all give the same answer.
po18guy
Well-known member
For example, sexual sin is embarrassing - and for that reason, we are intended to make a clean breast of the matter. It requires humility to confess and we are intended to be meek and humble as Christ is. We should fear the Lords judgment, not His mercy. As BartholomewB mentions, ask your confessor. However, I suspect that something in you is hesitant to confess. Consider Nehemiah 8, in which the people stood and publicly confessed their sins. A Private confession behind the screen should not cause difficulty. If fear or anxiety is the issue, face up to it, as it is causing substantial difficulty for you as it is. There are various way to eradicate the fear.
6 hour long confession. My voice will give out and I think it will significantly reduce the amount of time as well.
BartholomewB
Member
There is no such thing as a six-hour confession. In the memorable words of a priest who posts regularly on another Catholic forum, the recommendation is: "Be bold, be brief, be gone."
po18guy
Well-known member
I strongly suspect that you suffer from scrupulosity. Are you an anxious person? 1:5 today suffer from some form of anxiety. You need not confessed every sin, not in detail. Let's say you smoked weed to get high 10 times. Confess smoking weed 10 times. You need not list dates, times and places.
It is possible that you have recurring or intrusive thoughts. Father can help with spiritual direction and even suggesting professional help for anxiety - if that is what it is.
The first thing you need to do, is to find a priest, loyal to the magisterium in all things (that's important), before actually making such a confession, and explain to him why you think you need to make a six-hour confession. Then do what he tells you.
I highly doubt he's going to tell you to do that. Again, do what he tells you.
When is the priest supposed to read this?
My suggestion...
Go ahead and write your list.
Then talk to the priest about this.
He needs to be aware of the list.
It sounds like there is a lot more going on then a list of sin.
I have to disagree with you. I don't think the OP should write that list. I suggest that he go to a priest (not for confession), explain that he feels the need to make a confession that is so long, that he would have to write out a list (really more like an essay, perhaps) that, if made in the form of a confession, would take six hours to read. Then do whatever the priest says to do. (I don't think that priest is going to recommend writing such a list, or making a six-hour confession.)
The priest would do well to note that people typically don't feel the need to do this, and ask the OP what, exactly, is so different about his situation, his conscience, and his life, that he has to be the exception.