Language to use in the confessional

[Atreyu]

In the confessional, how explicit should one be? In particular, when confessing sexually immoral sins, how much depth should you go in to?

 

[puzzleannie]

Atreyu:

In the confessional, how explicit should one be? In particular, when confessing sexually immoral sins, how much depth should you go in to?

be brief, be concise, be accurate, be honest, be gone–this was the advice I got in high school and still follow. just the facts, no need for corroborating detail

 

[mercygate]

Be absolutely cold-bloodedly honest but no soap-operas with prurient details. Just the facts. Use the hard words.

I looked at pornography 3 times and masturbated. I struggle with a persistent temptation to this impurity.

I committed adultery with my wife’s best friend. This affair lasted 5 months. I have ended it. (I am trying to end it. I want to end it but don’t know how.)

I lied to my wife about it.

I had sex with my girlfriend twice (if you say “fornicate” it will seem stilted)

Get it? Be direct but do not include details that serve no purpose other than to convince you that maybe this wasn’t so bad after all.

 

[hilde_the_dog]

Boy Mercygate you do need to go to confession but seem to have a good program. I f the priest wants detail he will ask. Don’t explain a sin it may sound defensive and evasive. I did X this many times, I did y this many time.

 

[mercygate]

hilde the dog:

Boy Mercygate you do need to go to confession but seem to have a good program. I f the priest wants detail he will ask. Don’t explain a sin it may sound defensive and evasive. I did X this many times, I did y this many time.

Hilde – I go to confession at least once a month. That post was an example. The OP asked for language about sexual sins. I gave examples! Sorry to disappoint!

 

[netmilsmom]

mercygate:

The OP asked for language about sexual sins. I gave examples! Sorry to disappoint!

I think we all wanted to meet you after that post!

 

[Paul_W]

When I was in second grade, preparing for First Confession, our class practiced by having the teacher ‘hear our confession.’ We would line up on either side of her desk and then kneel next to it when it was our turn. She would pull open a drawer on one side the other, to simulate opening and closing the panels in the confessional windows.

As I recall, we were told not to confess real sins, so the result was that we all committed a surprising number of murders and bank robberies.

 

[mercygate]

Paul W:

When I was in second grade, preparing for First Confession, our class practiced by having the teacher ‘hear our confession.’ We would line up on either side of her desk and then kneel next to it when it was our turn. She would pull open a drawer on one side the other, to simulate opening and closing the panels in the confessional windows.

As I recall, we were told not to confess real sins, so the result was that we all committed a surprising number of murders and bank robberies.

My turn now:

 

[m134e5]

Atreyu:

In the confessional, how explicit should one be? In particular, when confessing sexually immoral sins, how much depth should you go in to?

Just say what you did, and how many times you did it- and be sure to mention any facts that may make the sin especially serious (examples: having sex with someone who is married, stealing from a church, or listening to music with explicit lyrics around children). Don’t be too specific, or ramble- you can scandalize the priest, as well as tempt him to sin- also, you’ll take too long and annoy anyone who may be waiting in line after you.

 

[cintwina]

I’m a convert and I’m not sure what stuff I’m supposed to confess. Can anyone give me guidance?

 

[mercygate]

cintwina:

I’m a convert and I’m not sure what stuff I’m supposed to confess. Can anyone give me guidance?

Have you been received into the Church? If you are still “in process” this should be covered as you move closer to the time of being received.

 

[Andreas_Hofer]

If you’re not sure how much to say, you can always err on the side of brevity. If it’s a good confessor who feels he needs more information, he’ll ask for it.