I recently learned that we have to say the number of our mortal sins in the confession, but I have a bad memory and I am scrupulous so it is hard for me to say the number of times I commited sins. Is it okay if I exagerate the number or should I just say I am not 100% sure of the number and give my guess?
Thank you
Should you “exagerate”? - no.
But yes give the number that you know. And if you do not know…one gives what one knows.
We are to live
in modo humano, or “in a human manner.”
You may have to “guess” – “not sure but around 5 or so”. Your confessor can guide you here.
A person confessing may not know the numbers … if they do not know they can make an approximation…3-5x, 5-10 a month for the last 20 years, somewhere around 50 times, around 10x, or even if needed, “a few”… “many times”, “many many times” …a lot…etc
Being that you are note that you struggle with scrupulosity I would also note that you can be in a different boat than others. Have a* regular confessor *and let him direct you in this – in fact depending on your scruples he may give you specific direction on dealing with numbers in your case. But certainly one may follow what I noted above. One gives the number if one knows it --and if one does not one can make an approximation (do not scruple over this…this is how such is dealt with for even those without scruples).
Let him direct you as well as other areas (find one you like and stick with him…follow his direction unless he tells you something that is manifestly wrong …like “hey murder my secretary” or “use contraception”)
