Must one "feel" sorrow and sincerity in Confession for the absolution to be valid?

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I don’t recall *feeling *sorrow or sincerety (or emotion) while saying the act of contrition at contrition, but I definately went there in the first place to obtain forgiveness from God, and looked to it that I’d put forth a lot of effort to avoid sin and please God. Was my confession valid?
 
I think the most basic thing necessary is a firm resolve to stop sinning in the future.
 
I have been told that emotion is rather variable and that the intention to avoid the sin and anything that might lead one toward it is what is most important.
 
My understanding is that if you don’t necessarily “feel sorry” for your sin(s), a healthy fear of Hell makes up for it.

God bless.

+Joel
 
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katy:
I have been told that emotion is rather variable and that the intention to avoid the sin and anything that might lead one toward it is what is most important.
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Who told you this?

Also, if the confession was invalid would I have to re-confess my sins?

I have this insecurity that I was not absolved. I confessed all my mortal sins with the strict intention to never commit them again, but something doesn’t feel right about me saying the Act of Contrition and not emotionally feeling sorry and sincere as I was saying it. Any advice?
 
Hmmm I don’t remember who, but I have a great suspicion on unreliable sources, so knowing myself would not have put any stock in it if I didn’t trust the source. Anyway, it sounds to me as if you meet God’s requirements. Jesus was rather emphatic about doing his will, not just giving lipservice. That is what you are trying to do. The emotion may come later. Or not.
 
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katy:
Hmmm I don’t remember who, but I have a great suspicion on unreliable sources, so knowing myself would not have put any stock in it if I didn’t trust the source. Anyway, it sounds to me as if you meet God’s requirements. Jesus was rather emphatic about doing his will, not just giving lipservice. That is what you are trying to do. The emotion may come later. Or not.
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So what you’re saying is that even though I may have not *felt *sorrow and sincerity while saying the Act of Contrition, because I had the urge to avoid (mortal) sin and obey God sincerely, I’m forgiven?
 
Thanks for the responses, but I feel that I need a reply from an actual Priest or a direct source from the Bible, Catechism, ect. I posted my entire situation on ‘Ask an Apologist’. This is bothering me more by the minute, and I am beginning to regret having taken the Eucharist today.
 
It has nothing to do with feelings. You can* be* sorry without feeling an emotion of sorrow.

Look at it this way: If you were not sorry for your sins, why would you be in the confessional confessing them? You were sorry enough for them to go to confession.
 
Thanks for the good response, JimG. My intention was to confess my sins, recieve forgiveness and have a fresh start to serve God. The way you put it is very clear and helpful.
 
Our passions and feelings ought to move with reason, but since the Fall, they don’t. This consequence is not going to be fixed until the end. Of course, Jesus was appropriate in his feelings, but we often aren’t. There is no requirement that we command our feelings in perfect integrity (wholeness). So, for confession, it is not required that we suddenly have perfect control and in some way be able to summon up enough *feeling *of sorrow on command. Of course, we must be contrite in our heart, and we must *will or intend *not to do it again.

Perhaps you could read the article in the CCC about our passions. (around 1762). But they don’t talk about original sin there.

You could also look at it that you are not required to be “fixed” before confession (the penitent typically lacks sanctifying grace, for example). People who come there are broken, not fixed. Even after confession, usually some temporal consequences of sin remain in our life. We will have inappropriate attachments, responses, etc.
 
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PMV:
Thanks for the responses, but I feel that I need a reply from an actual Priest or a direct source from the Bible, Catechism, ect. I posted my entire situation on ‘Ask an Apologist’. This is bothering me more by the minute, and I am beginning to regret having taken the Eucharist today.
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Why not use “Ask an Apologist”?

It sounds to me like you were good to go. Would you have gone to confession if you weren’t sorry? I think with all of us, there are some things that we know are wrong so we confess them with intent to sin no more and may not experience crushing, emotional sorrow. However, there are other things which seem very painful for us.
 
I found this on catholic.org/clife/prayers/confession.php
I think it is where I got the thought for my original post regarding your question. Maybe it will help.

The essential act of Penance, on the part of the penitent, is contrition, a clear and decisive rejection of the sin committed, together with a resolution not to commit it again, out of the love one has for God and which is reborn with repentance. The resolution to avoid committing these sins in the future (amendment) is a sure sign that your sorrow is genuine and authentic. This does not mean that a promise never to fall again into sin is necessary. A resolution to try to avoid the near occasions of sin suffices for true repentance. God’s grace in cooperation with the intention to rectify your life will give you the strength to resist and overcome temptation in the future.
 
Yes your confession was valid. Feelings really do not have much to do with anything. I love it when I have the “warm fuzzys” about my faith., but they are few and far between . I live my faith…well on faith. I put my faith in Jesus and live my " dark nights " trusting in Him.
May Gods Peace be with You,
Mike
 
Just to make sure, does this also apply to when someone makes an Act of Perfect Contrition?
 
Just a thought, I wouldn’t in general be highly confident that I had made an act of perfect contrition. I don’t mean on account of a lack of obvious “feelings”, but on more general grounds.
 
If you desire to feel sorry for your sins. then that’s just as good as actually feeling sorry for them… or so I’ve read.
 
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PMV:
Just to make sure, does this also apply to when someone makes an Act of Perfect Contrition?
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Perfect contrition has to do with motive, not feelings. Feelings aren’t really a very reliable indicator for anything in the spiritual life.

I recall a talk given by a priest just prior to hearing confessions during a retreat. He said something like, “I know you are sorry for your sins. That’s why you’re here for confession. So don’t worry that I’m going to yell at you for anything you’ve done. If you didn’t regret it you wouldn’t be here confessing it. My role is to forgive you , not to condemn you.”
 
YOu must know you did wrong.

You must intend on NOT sinning again.

YOu may end up in pergatory for temporal punishment for those sins.
 
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