Question about what a priest told me in confession

[SMA_12]

About 3 years ago I had a reversion back to the Church, but prior to that I had gone years without confession.

I have been to confession many times since my reversion, and I always had trouble remembering what sins I had or hadn’t confessed from the time period I was away from the sacrament.

I would confess the grave ones that came to memory that hadn’t already been confessed, but some I honestly could not remember if I already had or not.

I was telling the priest during confession of the struggle I was having with my examination of conscience because of this, and he told me he knew I was truly sorry and that I should wipe the slate clean and I only needed to confess the sins I committed from this point on.

Was this correct advice from the priest?

 

[hockeyfan]

The way I understand it, if you go to confession with the intention of confessing everything, it is all valid if you forget. If you go with the intention of “forgetting” then there is a problem. It sounds to me like you are in the first crowd.

 

[SMA_12]

Thank you! Makes sense.

So now, say I remember something from that time period that I hadn’t confessed, is it already forgiven since I was not intentionally hiding it before? Or should I confess it having remembered it?

 

[Zekariya]

Thank you! Makes sense.

So now, say I remember something from that time period that I hadn’t confessed, is it already forgiven since I was not intentionally hiding it before? Or should I confess it having remembered it?

Honestly forgetting mortal sins does not invalidate your Confession; you are absolved. If you remember a mortal sin that you forgot to confess, confess it at your next Confession.

 

[SMA_12]

Honestly forgetting mortal sins does not invalidate your Confession; you are absolved. If you remember a mortal sin that you forgot to confess, confess it at your next Confession.

Thanks

 

[Stillsosola]

Well I think the priest gave you good advice, its difficult to remember every bad thought every prideful moment every little bit of disobedience dont beat yourself up and take your confessors advice

 

[Zekariya]

I was telling the priest during confession of the struggle I was having with my examination of conscience because of this, and he told me he knew I was truly sorry and that I should wipe the slate clean and I only needed to confess the sins I committed from this point on.

Was this correct advice from the priest?

Sorry. I missed this. You should follow your priest’s advice. There is no need to constantly worry about sins committed far into the past.

 

[pianistclare]

Does anyone else finish their sins by praying aloud
“for these and all of the sins of my past life, I am sorry” ? It was the end of "Bless me Father, for I have sinned…
I sort of thought that covered those sins that were genuinely unrecalled…

 

[drew_neill]

If you have a smart phone then you can download “Laudate” it has a confessional checklist that is useful

 

[Mrs_Sally]

Does anyone else finish their sins by praying aloud
“for these and all of the sins of my past life, I am sorry” ? It was the end of "Bless me Father, for I have sinned…
I sort of thought that covered those sins that were genuinely unrecalled…

Yes. that’s the way I was taught also. I say “for these and for all my sins”.

Since the OP has advice from his regular confessor on this issue, he should follow that instruction.

 

[nannyma]

Thanks

I think two points are worth remembering for confession. First at the end of your confession when you say " I am sorry for these sins and ALL the sins of my past life." another helpful note is in visiting the Blessed Sacrament, a certain sin or sinful behavior comes to mind that is not deadly as mortal sin, but is offensive to the Lord, He lets you know by giving you sorrow at that moment, and that is another time for an act of confession. And most times is forgotten. But if the incident does come up before or during your confession then you should share with the priest, if not, it’s gone. ( not serious sin {mortal})these or this must be vocalized to the priest) because of it’s inherent evil that we are not aware of. As it is said, bring it out in the open and the devil will flee, to a priest of course.