More confession questions

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Tamsulosin

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This evening confession is offered at my church.
I need to clarify 3 points before then:

1-If a person receives bad or sinful thoughts or images say within the realm of the 7 deadly sins,but dismisses them summarily,pray that they go away.In other words,such person has no control over the feelings or thoughts that come over the person,but yes has the will not to dwell or act upon them.And so that person sends them away.
Then I gather there is no sin that one has to confess,is there?

1-How accurate one has to be regarding the question when was your last confession?
If you do not remember exactly to the day,and not wanting to lie,“Not long ago will do”?Since you do not want to be mistaken and say 3 weeks,to remember later that it had been in fact 4 weeks.Do you put it in your calendar in order to respond, say for example 45 days ago?
And why is it important (almost the first thing to mention in a confession)how long ago,
as long as it is once a year, as mandated.

3:If you prepare your list,but then at the confessional you black out and forget some on your list(venial or grave),when the priest absolves you of “all sins” are those you forgot included,or you will have to avoid communion( for the grave ones), and wait to the next confession day to tell of the left out ones.?

If someone could answer before 5Pm today, I appreciate.Tam
 
  1. That’s correct.
  2. “Not long ago” is too vague, I think. For one person it may mean a couple of months, and for another person it could mean three days. If it was a few weeks but you don’t remember exactly, then say a few weeks. Giving the time since your last Confession helps the priest understand the context of your sins. Did you commit one mortal sin in six months, or do you have a few mortal sins after a week?
  3. Sins you forget to Confess are forgiven. If you purposefully leave out a sin, your Confession is invalid.
 
I agree that “not long ago” is too vague. Just be honest and say “I think it was…but I’m not 100% sure.” Just make your best effort.

Forgotten sins are forgiven, but if you have forgotten a grave sin, you should confess it at your next earliest opportunity. And as said, if you purposely withhold sins, your confession is invalid.
 
justagirl said:
  1. That’s correct.
  2. “Not long ago” is too vague, I think. For one person it may mean a couple of months, and for another person it could mean three days. If it was a few weeks but you don’t remember exactly, then say a few weeks. Giving the time since your last Confession helps the priest understand the context of your sins. Did you commit one mortal sin in six months, or do you have a few mortal sins after a week?
  3. Sins you forget to Confess are forgiven. If you purposefully leave out a sin, your Confession is invalid.
Click to expand...
Excellent answer. One clarification: If you purposely leave out a mortal sin, your confession is invalid. Confession of venial sins is useful, but optional.
 
If you did forget a grave or mortal sin, even though technically it is forgiven, I would not take communion until I could confess it. I’m sure people will see that differently, but that’s just my take. I don’t think you would be taking communion unworthily, but personally, it would ease my conscience if I didn’t partake until it was confessed.

Any thoughts on that from y’all?
 
But if “sin you genuinely forgot ,is forgiven”,why is that you have to confess it at the next confession?:confused:
 
I don’t believe you HAVE to, but I’ve been told it is recommended. I guess it’s the “better safe than sorry approach”. Again, it only applies to a grave or mortal sin.
 
Tamsulosin said:
But if “sin you genuinely forgot ,is forgiven”,why is that you have to confess it at the next confession?:confused:
Click to expand...
As a matter of justice, and to help us grow in humility, and to help us avoid that sin in the future (we are given specific graces to help overcome the sins we confess).
 
Thank you for the clarifications.
This sacrament of confession is soooo humbling, and beautiful at the same time.:getholy:
 
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