Leaving Out Mortal Sin in Confession

[Dranu]

Hi, I was wondering what I do if I think I might of left out mortal sin in a confession and was aware of the sin while I confessed, but (I am not entirely sure) I did not think them mortal at the time and thus dismissed them during confession. I came in going to confess them (thinking previously there was a chance they could be mortal), but then left those out thinking they were just me being scrupulous and/or that part of my confession covered them even though I wasn’t specifically thinking of them when I said it, and maybe I was deceiving myself into thinking that and am just not entirely clearly seeing that. There is a chance I might of even confessed them directly, but there is also a chance I referred to them hypothetically instead of directly to see if I needed to confess them or if there was no sin present, but for some reason I did not go and confess them directly after that.

I felt great after the confession and finally thought I was going to get some peace after many confessions/re-confessions, but then a bit after I was contemplating that and think I left out the sins knowing I could have confessed them, thus invalidating all my confession if they were actually mortal.

To make matters worse I promised the priest not to re-confess one of the sins again, and I will probably not be able to talk to him before I have to move, which means that even if I confessed to a priest my whole confession over again (which the Baltimore Catechism demands for leaving out mortal sin which was not forgotten), I could not do so without breaking my promise. So I seem stuck being doomed until I can get back to that one priest, and even if I confess just those I left out, I will always have the doubt that that confession was invalid, which affects many aspects of life for me.

-Any advice would be helpful, especially documents or items that have a good deal of authority that should be followed by the faithful.

 

[palmas85]

Hi, I was wondering what I do if I think I might of left out mortal sin in a confession and was aware of the sin while I confessed, but (I am not entirely sure) I did not think them mortal at the time and thus dismissed them during confession. I came in going to confess them (thinking previously there was a chance they could be mortal), but then left those out thinking they were just me being scrupulous and/or that part of my confession covered them even though I wasn’t specifically thinking of them when I said it, and maybe I was deceiving myself into thinking that and am just not entirely clearly seeing that. There is a chance I might of even confessed them directly, but there is also a chance I referred to them hypothetically instead of directly to see if I needed to confess them or if there was no sin present, but for some reason I did not go and confess them directly after that.

I felt great after the confession and finally thought I was going to get some peace after many confessions/re-confessions, but then a bit after I was contemplating that and think I left out the sins knowing I could have confessed them, thus invalidating all my confession if they were actually mortal.

To make matters worse I promised the priest not to re-confess one of the sins again, and I will probably not be able to talk to him before I have to move, which means that even if I confessed to a priest my whole confession over again (which the Baltimore Catechism demands for leaving out mortal sin which was not forgotten), I could not do so without breaking my promise. So I seem stuck being doomed until I can get back to that one priest, and even if I confess just those I left out, I will always have the doubt that that confession was invalid, which affects many aspects of life for me.

-Any advice would be helpful, especially documents or items that have a good deal of authority that should be followed by the faithful.

Don’t agonize and confess truthfully. You can confess venial sins and even temptations if you feel the need to. A sin does not have to be mortal in order for you to confess it. You don’t have to if it is not mortal, but you can if you want to.

And what is this about hypothetical sins? You know if you did the act right? So whats hypothetical about it? You either did or you didn’t.

Just be honest about what you confess, have that firm purpose of amendment and move on down the road:thumbsup:

 

[mommyof4]

Take it from someone who has been there, don’t Monday morning quarterback your confessions. Every time you’re tempted to do so, just thank God for his love and mercy and forgiveness, and move on.

Read through these 10 commandments for the scrupulous.

 

[Joan_M]

Dranu, you sound scrupulous. You can only be guilty of mortal sin if you fulfill the three conditions necessary for mortal sin. If you do not fulfill them, then the sin is not mortal.

You need a regular confessor, one who knows you, your soul and your conscience, and be obedient to him.

For people who do not struggle with scrupulosity, if you have doubts about a sin - before you committ it, then do not do it! - after you have done it - confess it.

 

[Dranu]

palmas85:

And what is this about hypothetical sins? You know if you did the act right? So whats hypothetical about it? You either did or you didn’t.

Hypothetical as in I might have said ‘what if one does X, do they need to confess?’ Rather than I did X, do I normaly need to confess?’ I don’t think I framed it hypothetically, but I might of. I did remember thinking after that, well ok I do not need to go into the specifics of each one.

 

[Padua_Minded]

Hi, I was wondering what I do if I think I might of left out mortal sin in a confession and was aware of the sin while I confessed, but (I am not entirely sure) I did not think them mortal at the time and thus dismissed them during confession.

You only need to confess sins that you clearly remember committing. If you doubt that you actually sinned, either venially or mortally, then you do not need to confess that particular sin. You may do so, but it is strongly discouraged for scrupulous people.

From the St Pius X Catechism:

80 Q. If a penitent is not certain of having committed a sin must he confess it?
A. If a penitent is not certain of having committed a sin he is not bound to confess it; and if he does confess it, he should add that he is not certain of having committed it.

I felt great after the confession and finally thought I was going to get some peace after many confessions/re-confessions, but then a bit after I was contemplating that and think I left out the sins knowing I could have confessed them, thus invalidating all my confession if they were actually mortal.

You have scruples.

Catholic Encyclopedia:

An unfounded apprehension and consequently unwarranted fear that something is a sin which, as a matter of fact, is not. It is not considered here so much as an isolated act, but rather as an habitual state of mind known to directors of souls as a “scrupulous conscience.” St. Alphonsus describes it as a condition in which one influenced by trifling reasons, and without any solid foundation, is often afraid that sin lies where it really does not. This anxiety may be entertained not only with regard to what is to be done presently, but also with regard to what has been done.

…]

In the various perplexities as to the lawfulness of their actions they are not bound to employ any such scrutiny as would be incumbent upon persons in a normal condition. They are not bound to repeat anything of former confessions unless they are sure without protracted examination, that it is a mortal sin and has never been properly confessed.

Some wise advice from the saints on this subject is to be found in The Wisdom of the Saints: An Anthology by Jill Haak Adels

Saint Joseph Cafasso:

"Uneasy about your prayers? I forbid you to repeat even small parts of them.

Troubled over the examination of conscience? Omit the daily examen.

You want to go to confession everyday? No, once a week is enough. It is useless to make long confessions; just answer my questions, nothing more.

You are afraid you did not have contrition for your sins? That regret indicates you were sorry.

You went to confession to someone else last week after making your confession to me? I refuse you absolution today. Come again in a week.

You did not go to Communion as often as I told you to do so? I refuse to authorize you to receive at all this week; you are not worthy; when you learn to be more obedient, I’ll tell you when you may go again.

You are troubled about your preparation for Communion? Don’t make any. You should always be ready to communicate. Just see if you have any venal sins, make an act of contrition, kiss a crucifix and receive without fear".

Bl. Julian of Norwich:

“When they begin to hate sin and amend themselves to the laws of Holy Church, still there persists a fear that moves them to look at themselves and their sins committed in the past. And they take this fear for humility, but it is a reprehensible blindness and weakness”.

 

[Dranu]

Padua_Minded:

You only need to confess sins that you clearly remember committing. If you doubt that you actually sinned, either venially or mortally, then you do not need to confess that particular sin. You may do so, but it is strongly discouraged for scrupulous people.

From the St Pius X Catechism:

Thank you so much for this link! This is exactly the thing I hope for, a work of official teaching of the Church that will help me much with this rather than just helpful advice (that I do greatly appreciate nonetheless) that I always feel I have to take with a large grain of salt.

I’ve been wanting a definitive reason to follow what peace (given the scrupulous circumstances are met) my reason tells me to take, regardless of these nagging doubts of inadequate confession and/or fear of being tricked or ambushed into sinning. This looks like it just might be the thing.

 

[mommyof4]

Thank you so much for this link! This is exactly the thing I hope for, a work of official teaching of the Church that will help me much with this rather than just helpful advice (that I do greatly appreciate nonetheless) that I always feel I have to take with a large grain of salt.

I’ve been wanting a definitive reason to follow what peace (given the scrupulous circumstances are met) my reason tells me to take, regardless of these nagging doubts of inadequate confession and/or fear of being tricked or ambushed into sinning. This looks like it just might be the thing.

The site has been a wonderful help for me:

mission.liguori.org/newsletters/archives.htm#SA

 

[Dranu]

The site has been a wonderful help for me:

Thank you!

 

[mommyof4]

Thank you!

Your welcome!

 

[BCven86]

Take it from someone who has been there, don’t Monday morning quarterback your confessions. Every time you’re tempted to do so, just thank God for his love and mercy and forgiveness, and move on.

Read through these 10 commandments for the scrupulous.

Ha! I never really understood scrupulosity as a concept and after reading this I’m pretty sure I am… this site offers some great advice, thanks!

 

[mommyof4]

Ha! I never really understood scrupulosity as a concept and after reading this I’m pretty sure I am… this site offers some great advice, thanks!

You’re very welcome!