Old Sins and Already Confessed Sins

[Amateur_Soul]

From my understanding, when one makes a good confession and confesses everything that comes to mind at that time, all his/her sins are forgiven at that time, not just the ones that were confessed, right?

So what if one remembers old sins from before that previous confession? Should they be confessed during the next confession? I was told by a confessor that God is not like an accountant and one does not have to go back and confess every little past sin. This makes sense because I think it is impossible to remember everythhing, but what if an “old sin” is still really on your mind?

Also, what if you still feel guilt for something you already confessed? Should one “re-confess” it or just bring up this guilt one still feels?

Just curious what other information people have gotten from confessors on this as I am still new at this

 

[ComradeAndrei]

From my understanding, when one makes a good confession and confesses everything that comes to mind at that time, all his/her sins are forgiven at that time, not just the ones that were confessed, right?

Yes, all sins committed before the confession are forgiven. Of course, any sins committed after are not, but that is a given.

So what if one remembers old sins from before that previous confession? Should they be confessed during the next confession? I was told by a confessor that God is not like an accountant and one does not have to go back and confess every little past sin. This makes sense because I think it is impossible to remember everythhing, but what if an “old sin” is still really on your mind?

You can confess sins that were forgotten, however, it is not really necessary.

Also, what if you still feel guilt for something you already confessed? Should one “re-confess” it or just bring up this guilt one still feels?

Some would recommend it, I would tend not too. If you are scrupulous, the confession of past sins that you doubt you have confessed, or you doubt you confessed in a sufficient way, or have confessed but you still feel guilty about can just be bad for your spiritual life. Some folks say, “You’ll feel better if you just confess.” but that isn’t always true. You may get that “spiritual high” but then remember something else you have doubts on and then be right back in the same boat.

While this is advice for the scrupulous, it may still do you good to follow it so as not to become scrupulous.

mission.liguori.org/newsletters/scrupulosity.htm

 

[plato3]

Fr. Corapi talks about how the devil uses this type of behavior (Worry or concern about a past sin after a good confession) to attack souls. He suggests that this type of inclination should be treated just as a temptation to sin.

There is a great quarterly free mailing from a group called Scrupulous Anonymous that deals with this problem. They have a web site.

 

[Verbum_Caro]

Amateur Soul,

Speaking only to mortal sins which were forgotten: they ARE absolved in your confession. However, if you later remember a mortal sin which you have not confessed it is my understanding that you are under obligation to confess that sin.

The old Catholic Encyclopedia stated it this way:

Hence, the penitent, who in confession willfully conceals a mortal sin, derives no benefit whatever; on the contrary, he makes void the sacrament and thereby incurs the guilt of sacrilege. If, however, the sin be omitted, not through any fault of the penitent, but through forgetfulness, it is forgiven indirectly; but it must be declared at the next confession and thus submitted to the power of the keys.

This obligation applies to mortal sins only.

God Bless you!
VC

 

[Pug]

I concur with VC. If you forget to tell a mortal sin during a good confession, don’t worry, you are still forgiven for it, but if you later remember it at another confession and know that you have not confessed it, you should confess it then. Don’t go around worrying about this, okay? Just if you remember it, then confess it.

If you are feeling guilty for an already confessed sin, say abortion, I can really see how that could linger on a mind, perhaps for a super long time. I’d bring it up to the priest if that it is troubling you. Just telling another soul could help, and he may be able to offer healing words. So many priests seem to have the touch of mercy in them. They can convey it so well. Give them a chance.

Is there any chance you are feeling bad still about something you took and didn’t make restitution for? If so, ask the priest how to deal with that as well. I went nuts over that one once. I’m fine now.

If you always do this, feeling guilty for sins you are forgiven for, tell the priest that information and carefully follow his advice, ignoring whatever anyone tells you here, including me!

 

[Amateur_Soul]

Thanks all - -some very helpful posts here for me

 

[catsrus]

Though I have confessed and received absolution for some really serious sin, I find myself talking to God at times and thanking him for his forgiveness and asking him to recall how truely awful I feel about them and reminding both Him and myself that I will NEVER repeat.
The more I learn of The One True Faith, the more I see the grotesque nature of my past sins. I don’t want to forget the person I once was because I never want to be that person again.
Am I scrupulous? Maybe. But I feel my relationship with God only improves with time. So be it.