Question about my Confession today

  • Thread starter Thread starter vester444
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
V

vester444

Guest
Ok - so I went on Tuesday, but the line was so long (Easter, I guess) I’ve never seen it that long - that right when I was up to do Confession, the priest apologized and said he would get to all of us after Mass. I couldnt stay, so I went today 🙂

This time, preparing for another line, I went early.

I wrote everything down (as I usually do) and talked rather quickly as I was afraid that the line would get long etc. and wanted to be respectful.

The thing is…we did discuss one of my sins, and now I’m thinking - did I say everything? Maybe I should have talked more in depth about it - maybe I should have given the other examples, or maybe I just made the sin seem not as bad as it was? I dont know. Help. Do I need to go back to confession?

I don think? I intentionally leave anything out - but maybe I did not say everything like I should have on that particular sin? - and maybe SUBCONCIOUSLY didnt really say everything because I was embarrassed? ugh I dont know.

Help.

Vester
 
Ok wait a minute - I just read that I’m supposed to fast AND abstain on all Fridays of Lent. I thought it was just abstain. Holy cow. I had no idea. I didnt confess that, but seriously I had no idea. Help.

Vester
 
You are only suposed to fast on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday and abstain only on the other Fridays. If you did not know you were supposed to abstain then you are not culpable for the sin of not abstaining.
 
OK - but what about my first post - it has nothing to do with fasting or abstaining (sorry for the confusion) it has to do with a different sin etc.

Thanks!
 
Vester,

Relax. There are many posts on these forums about scrupulosity and confession; do a search and read them, as I think they might be helpful. You are obligated to confess each mortal sin, not give a speech about it 🙂 (Believe me, I understand how difficult confession can be…)

The fast and abstinence rules are these; **fasting **(one regular meal, two smaller meals not equaling, together, one full meal) for those 18 years through 59. **Abstinence **- for Catholics 14 and older. If you’re in the US, you are obligated to fast ONLY on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday, and abstain all Fridays in Lent. Rules may differ elsewhere.

So, take a deep breath. You can fast tomorrow on Good Friday, and if you’re not over 18, you’re OK anyway.
 
Uhh…yah, I"m over 18 haha. I’ll take that as a compliment even though you have never seen me haha!

Ok - so what you are saying is that if I say a sin, such as … ok I wont use the one I actually said - I’ll give a different example:

if I said that I have stolen and then I give an example, but I didnt give all the examles, and I didnt give the worst example, is that still ok?

Thanks!
Vester
 
vester444 said:
Uhh…yah, I"m over 18 haha. I’ll take that as a compliment even though you have never seen me haha!

Ok - so what you are saying is that if I say a sin, such as … ok I wont use the one I actually said - I’ll give a different example:

if I said that I have stolen and then I give an example, but I didnt give all the examles, and I didnt give the worst example, is that still ok?

Thanks!
Vester
Click to expand...
What you want to avoid is deliberately omitting a serious (mortal) sin; it doesn’t sound as if you did that at all. Now, with something like stealing, the confessor may ask for a few details; what did you steal, did you make restitution, etc., to make sure you’ve done all you can to remedy the situation. (Big difference between stealing a car and swiping a pack of gum!)

Again, it sounds as if you’re fine. You confessed the sin, the number of times, and are sorry for it and were absolved. Jesus is not a bean counter - he knows your heart 🙂
 
Well, I didnt deliberately omit.

But the example I gave him (and please remember, Iwasnt thinking compeltely clearly as I was nervous and also because there was a LINE!!!)

The example I gave him was probably not the worst offence, does that make sense? I didnt do it that way on purpose, I dont think? Maybe subconciously? Or maybe in my heart, I know that I should have said the worse one?

I didnt say the number of times. I didnt know I was supposed to, and he didnt ask. I dont know if I’ve thought about that. Its more of a “in general” type of sin (like being greedy or jealous) versus a tangible one, if that makes sense?

Ok - help.

Vester
 
vester444 said:
Well, I didnt deliberately omit.

But the example I gave him (and please remember, Iwasnt thinking compeltely clearly as I was nervous and also because there was a LINE!!!)

The example I gave him was probably not the worst offence, does that make sense? I didnt do it that way on purpose, I dont think? Maybe subconciously? Or maybe in my heart, I know that I should have said the worse one?

I didnt say the number of times. I didnt know I was supposed to, and he didnt ask. I dont know if I’ve thought about that. Its more of a “in general” type of sin (like being greedy or jealous) versus a tangible one, if that makes sense?

Ok - help.

Vester
Click to expand...
Now I understand! You confessed being “greedy” or “jealous”, and I would imagine it’s hard to remember specific instances like that. (I have to confess things like “speaking uncharitably” and I’ll just say “often” and the priest is always fine with it.)

The simple fact that you’re worried shows that you are truly repentant, and after what you just described, I think Jesus is perfectly OK with the way you confessed; I really don’t know what else you could have done, considering the “general” type of sin you mentioned. Time to rejoice that you have unburdened yourself of your sins and move on towards Easter!!!
 
Hello, Vester,

I don’t want to be disrespectful of you, or the Catholic religion. But, personally I feel that God loves us unconditionally. He also knows if your intent was right, while at confession.

I think it all depends on our conscience. Like the fasting. You do not commit a sin, if you didn’t know the exact rule. God’s Justice system is much better than ours. I think with Him ignorance is an excuse…well, up to a point.

Light, Love, and Peace to you.
Joyce
 
haha. I’m being completely neurotic Im sure.

It wasnt a sin like greed or jealousy. It was a more tangible sin, but not something like I’ve stolen.

It would be like…ummmm I’ve gotten angry at my husband or something. So haha, thats like a million times 🙂 hehe, but instead of giving the worst case I gave another one?

I know I know - I’m probably being overly sensitive.

Its just Easter, and I want to make sure that conciously or subconciously I’m ok.

Vester
 
Its just Easter, and I want to make sure that conciously or subconciously I’m ok.
Click to expand...
Keep repeating that line “go in peace, your sins are forgiven.” Don’t give in to excess worry or scrupulosity- those are not from God. Relax knowing that you have been absolved and have a Blessed Easter! 🙂
 
One suggestion for future confessions:

Two confessions ago for me, I wasn’t sure if I went into enough “detail” on my sin (i.e., how it was done, length of time spent in it, etc.).

I became worried about it after absolution and asked the Priest “did I need to go into more detail on that sin?”

He said “it’s good enough for me.”

If you are worried about this in the future, (as long as you have confessed what sins and how often), simply ask the Priest if he needs more detail. If he says no, then you are good no matter what your emotions tell you. Mine deceive me as well, that’s what faith is for. It’s not what we feel that counts, it’s what actually happened…we just need to have faith that it did.

Andy
 
Like a poster before me said RELAX. For about a year I suffered with scrupulosity because of my misunderstanding of the sacrament. Scruples are not from God. I suggest you read the newsletter Scrupulous Anonymous, pay attention to the 10 commandments of the scrupulous. 👍
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top