Notes in Confession

[LumenGloriae]

I’m a relatively new Catholic who goes to Confession rather frequently. I often make notes while examining my conscience, and I bring in those notes to Confession to help me remember my sins and, frankly, to make my confessions as succinct as possible. I try to only list my sins and how many times I committed them, and I rarely take more than 10 or 30 seconds in total.

Is there any reason for me to refrain from bringing notes to confession, and to rely entirely on my memory instead? Do some confessors view such lists as encouraging scrupulosity?

 

[His_helpmeet]

I don’t think it would be a big issue. There is actually an app designed as an examination of conscience, for example.

St. John Bosco founded the Oratory Scool for boys. One boy wrote down all of his sins in a book to be able to make a good confession. Unfortunately he lost the book. So there’s this poor kid running around yelling that he lost his sins, and St. John said, “And pray you never find them and you will go straight to heaven.” (Turned out our saint had found the book and had it in his pocket.)

 

[porthos11]

No issues of course, except that you might lose it and someone might find it.

The only thing I would say is that after you’ve confessed, shed or burn the list.

 

[LumenGloriae]

Thank you both for your replies.

Does anyone have any speculative thoughts on why a priest might have told me not to do this? Keep in mind this priest does not know me, and I was in a parish for Confession that was not my own. My own parish has several priests, and I’ve been to confession with maybe 15 since my conversion. This is the first time I’ve been asked to not use notes.

Incidentally, I started this thread after posting the same one in Ask An Apologist. Frankly, I didn’t expect to get an answer, so my apologies to those who might wonder why I’m asking this in multiple places.

 

[porthos11]

Thank you both for your replies.

Does anyone have any speculative thoughts on why a priest might have told me not to do this? Keep in mind this priest does not know me, and I was in a parish for Confession that was not my own. My own parish has several priests, and I’ve been to confession with maybe 15 since my conversion. This is the first time I’ve been asked to not use notes.

Incidentally, I started this thread after posting the same one in Ask An Apologist. Frankly, I didn’t expect to get an answer, so my apologies to those who might wonder why I’m asking this in multiple places.

Only he can explain that.

 

[Bookcat]

Just destroy them afterwards!

 

[Graceful_Lamb]

Since I have become Catholic, there is only one time that I didn’t bring a list. Even with a list, I forget to mention sins. I usually remember as soon as I walk out of the confessional and/or when I am doing my penance. I have a small notebook that I keep my sins in.

 

[Bookcat]

Since I have become Catholic, there is only one time that I didn’t bring a list. Even with a list, I forget to mention sins. I usually remember as soon as I walk out of the confessional and/or when I am doing my penance. I have a small notebook that I keep my sins in.

1. Venial sins never need to be later confessed if forgotten.
2. Venial sins do not need to be confessed (though good to do so - at least some of them)
   2.5 Venial sins do not need to be numbered when they are confessed.
3. Mortal sins yes need to be confessed next confession if forgotten.
4. I would NOT keep a note book. Rather if you wish to write them down - destroy afterwards.
5. If a mortal sin is forgotten - and one wants to keep a note of it - use some code.

 

[Graceful_Lamb]

1. Venial sins never need to be later confessed if forgotten.
2. Venial sins do not need to be confessed (though good to do so - at least some of them)
   2.5 Venial sins do not need to be numbered when they are confessed.
3. Mortal sins yes need to be confessed next confession if forgotten.
4. I would NOT keep a note book. Rather if you wish to write them down - destroy afterwards.
5. If a mortal sin is forgotten - and one wants to keep a note of it - use some code.

I am aware that mortal sins that are forgotten need to be confessed at the next confession. I am aware of venial sins not having to be numbered and that they don’t have to be confessed. However, sometimes I do include them in my confession.

I have been using some type of notepad or notebook sine I’ve become Catholic and it works for me, so I am going to stick with it, for now anyway. I am aware of the danger of losing it, etc.

 

[Confiteor_Deo]

I think it’s a great idea to bring in a list for Confession. I do it every time I go because, if I don’t, I will likely forget a sin or question I have. I’ve been told by a confessor a few times that I should rip up my list after Confession. Only once was I told to get rid of my list while in the confessional, but that was because I was severely scrupulous and my list was just a bunch of questions and “maybe” sins.

 

[marlap2]

I’ve written on a piece of paper, my sins in a type of code that I know and use. It wouldn’t make sense to anyone else. And then I ditch the piece of paper.

I try to get to confession at least once a month. It’s a little less of a problem remembering then. If I had a mortal sin, I’d get myself to confession much earlier though. I wouldn’t wait until the month is up.

 

[jmcrae]

Thank you both for your replies.

Does anyone have any speculative thoughts on why a priest might have told me not to do this? Keep in mind this priest does not know me, and I was in a parish for Confession that was not my own. My own parish has several priests, and I’ve been to confession with maybe 15 since my conversion. This is the first time I’ve been asked to not use notes.

Incidentally, I started this thread after posting the same one in Ask An Apologist. Frankly, I didn’t expect to get an answer, so my apologies to those who might wonder why I’m asking this in multiple places.

I know someone who has the strong opinion that any sins you don’t remember could not have been mortal (he thinks that you would vividly remember doing something that you did while fully knowing that it would send you to Hell if you died shortly afterwards) and that therefore, in order to keep from wasting the priest’s time, mention only the sins you vividly remember, since they are the only ones likely to be mortal.

I don’t share that opinion, since when I was younger, I sometimes did seriously bad things while knowing with my intellect that they were wrong to do, but without the surrounding events being especially memorable, and without any emotional connection to activate my memory.

 

[Bookcat]

I have been using some type of notepad or notebook sine I’ve become Catholic and it works for me, so I am going to stick with it, for now anyway. I am aware of the danger of losing it, etc.

It also is better to destroy the list too - since they have been absolved. So they do not “hang around”.

 

[pianistclare]

I’m sure the priest doesn’t like to hear a laundry list. He wants to counsel you, and many things on your “list” may be related to one big problem.
I don’t know his thoughts, but he may be thinking you’re developing scruples.
Follow his advice. That’s what your confessor is for.

 

[pianistclare]

Of course it’s not forbidden.
But I’ve never seen children when catechized about Reconciliation told to “bring a list”.
It’s the fact that he’s bringing A LIST…speaks to his thoughts about the Sacrament.
My pastor would be very concerned that a person that brought a list regularly.
Again, if the priest says no, he should listen to his confessor.

 

[LumenGloriae]

Of course it’s not forbidden.
But I’ve never seen children when catechized about Reconciliation told to “bring a list”.
It’s the fact that he’s bringing A LIST…speaks to his thoughts about the Sacrament.
My pastor would be very concerned that a person that brought a list regularly.
Again, if the priest says no, he should listen to his confessor.

As I mentioned previously, this priest is not “my confessor,” but a priest whom I had never met before as I was visiting a far away parish. The priests at my own parish have never said a word about notes. Neither have any other confessors I’ve encountered during travels or in various other ways. This was the first I’ve ever heard of this sort of thing in what was, for several reasons emanating from Father, an awkward confession.

I’m curious: in your opinion, what do you think making notes says about my thoughts on the Sacrament? Are you accusing me of having some sort of deficient understanding or appreciation of Confession? Also, I’m not sure why your pastor should be concerned about notes. Would you explain this a bit more clearly? Is there a specific point you can make rather than making vague insinuations? I’m genuinely interested in correcting any errors I may have been making, but I’m an adult, and I’d appreciate seeing the reasoning behind certain conclusions.

Thanks to all who have offered their thoughts. For now, I will continue to make notes, since it helps me tremendously to make a succinct and efficient confession that doesn’t take up other people’s time unnecessarily.

 

[LumenGloriae]

1. Mortal sins yes need to be confessed next confession if forgotten.

This is an important point. If someone is examining their conscience and is truly aware of several mortal sins, it makes sense to write them down so as to ensure one will not forget to mention them. I find that to simply be due diligence, especially if one is prone to suddenly find themselves babbling and to have a blank mind when beginning one’s confession.

But the priest in question flatly stated that forgotten sins are forgiven, which is true, but then went on to say that such sins need never be confessed in the future. He made no distinction between venial and mortal sins in his comments, which I think is a bit problematic.

Frankly, had I not known better, I would be been misinformed by Father, who probably just used sloppy language to communicate his point. It is this context that has me scratching my head about his insistence on not using notes.

 

[LumenGloriae]

Bless you for going to confession and I am sorry you had this experience as a new Catholic, welcome to the church and prayers for your continued journey!

Thank you very much!

I don’t mind anything Father said, especially since he went out of his way to be extremely friendly and I absolutely trust that he is a holy priest. He even recommended I try a 54-day Rosary Novena! I have nothing but respect for that type of priest.

 

[Don_Ruggero]

Thank you both for your replies.

Does anyone have any speculative thoughts on why a priest might have told me not to do this? Keep in mind this priest does not know me, and I was in a parish for Confession that was not my own. My own parish has several priests, and I’ve been to confession with maybe 15 since my conversion. This is the first time I’ve been asked to not use notes.

Incidentally, I started this thread after posting the same one in Ask An Apologist. Frankly, I didn’t expect to get an answer, so my apologies to those who might wonder why I’m asking this in multiple places.

You have asked a question that only the priest himself would be able to answer.

As a confessor of many years, yes there are reasons why a priest would say to a penitent not to use a list but it is impossible for me to speculate as to which might or might not apply to you in your circumstance or what it was that the priest observed for him to say what he did. And, of course, I don’t know what you confessed or the actual words he said or the way he said them.

For people who are new to receiving the sacrament…either because they are newly Catholic or because they are newly returned to the Church…I think having a prompt at hand, such as a list, can be a great help. I myself use a list, for example, when I make a more general confession on the occasion of my monastic retreats as there will be specific points I want to address with the monk hearing my confession that emerge from the meditations of my retreat and themes of my retreat, which in any event are self-directed.

The use of a list can be legitimate…but using them also calls for great prudence and great care for various reasons.

You mention that your confessions never take more that 10-30 seconds and that you confess frequently – but frequently is so non-specific and relative as to give me no real gauge as to how often one is actually indicating.

If someone were to come into the confessional, had just confessed extremely recently, and read off an entire list in such rapid fire succession as to get through the list in as few seconds as absolutely possible, yes, it could raise a question or two or even several for the confessor about how the penitent understood the sacrament of reconciliation as an encounter with Christ and of actual metanoia.

If the counsel of this one priest troubles you enough that you are asking about it through various postings, I would suggest you ask a priest, when next you are confessing, in the place where you normally confess. If this has not been raised by any one of them, I would say that it is probably not a cause for concern…but trying to answer any further than that is in the realm of pure speculation.

 

[Don_Ruggero]

This is an important point. If someone is examining their conscience and is truly aware of several mortal sins, it makes sense to write them down so as to ensure one will not forget to mention them. I find that to simply be due diligence, especially if one is prone to suddenly find themselves babbling and to have a blank mind when beginning one’s confession.

But the priest in question flatly stated that forgotten sins are forgiven, which is true, but then went on to say that such sins need never be confessed in the future. He made no distinction between venial and mortal sins in his comments, which I think is a bit problematic.

Frankly, had I not known better, I would be been misinformed by Father, who probably just used sloppy language to communicate his point. It is this context that has me scratching my head about his insistence on not using notes.

It can be useful to mark them down in some way as a prompt…but the point of the answer you received from Father Grondin was specifically on why it may not be a good idea to do it and so, no, it is not a matter of due diligence or something one need do. It is a practice that carries a danger of compromising that which is being confessed. Frankly, it also puts someone in the awkward position of potentially learning information that is the subject of the seal if they deduce what the list is and whose list it is.

In the original question, you used the term “notebook”…that would have a very different connotation than a small scrap of paper.

A forgotten serious sin is absolved together with the sins that were confessed. All else being equal, the forgotten sin should be mentioned in one’s next confession even though it is assuredly forgiven. If the penitent is confessing weekly or monthly, they will be more likely to remember it than if they are in the habit of confessing once or twice per year…which may be why the priest formulated his answer as he did. In such an instance, the forgotten sin can be much less likely to be recalled.