Question on confession from a convert

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SultantOfSuede

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When I converted, I made a general confession to a priest. The priest asked very thorough questions about things I may have done or actually did. I indicated yes/no and how many times. At the time, I left out something out of forgetfulness. I’m not sure whether it’s a mortal or venial sin. I remembered the sin (if it was one) a few years after my conversion. It was committed when I was like 10 or 12 or maybe 14. The sin is esp. embarrassing to me personally and I’ve concealed it in confession for this reason (for others as well), but I know people who do what I did for a living and so far as I know, they are not in a state of sin. The sin involves curiosity about animal anatomy. (When I was a kid, I wanted desperately to be a veterinarian like James Herriott. Then I took high school chemistry from a man-hater…) The act was not in any way cruel. My question is this: I have never confessed this to a priest because I thought a) I was covered by the first general confession b) it would only be salutary to revisit my former sins against God, not essential to confess it. Now I’m having second thoughts and am wondering if all my confessions for the past several years have been made invalid? I know I should ask a priest about this, but I can’t possibly be the only person to have ever had this come up. I thought other converts on this site might be able to share their expereiences. I’ve stopped going to communion for fear of having committed sacrilege in confession.

In Domino,

SultanOfSuede
 
Remember the priest cannot break the seal of confession. I don’t know exactly what the sin is. All I can say is it cannot hurt to confess it. God Bless.
 
If there’s any uncertainty in your mind, by all means confess it.

That’s one of the most wonderful things about confession–that you can be absolutely certain confessed sins are wiped out.

In the meantime, you are to be commended for your respect for the Eucharist.
 
As long as you did not willfully withhold the sin at your frist Confession, but really did forget it, it is forgiven. However, when you remember it, you should confess it especially if you think it may be a mortal sin. We are not obliged to confess venial sins, but if you’re not sure, confess it anyway. Do not let your pride stand in the way! BTW, the three conditions for mortal sin are:
  1. it must be a grave matter;
  2. you must be aware that it is a grave matter;
  3. you must freely consent to it.
    If any of these conditions are not present, it is not a mortal sin.
Peace,
Linda
 
If you dont remember your sins that you think is not yet forgiven then you can tell the priest that you dont anymore remember other sins that you know you have committed. BTW, the priest is just a minister of GOD in confession, it is still GOD who forgives and GOD who knows your seen .
 
Sultant,
Sometimes things we do can be rather embarrassing for us and to repeat them to another human would be all the more embarrassing. As mentioned the priest is only an instrument that God uses as a way of forgiving our sins. Many times I have done something that I feel embarrassed about but I just don’t know whether it is a sin. Anxiety about the action will continue to build but once you confess it, the burden is off of your chest. The priest in most cases will inform me that the action was not a sin, but regardless of whether the action was a sin, I am still happy I had the courage and grace to confess the sin. Remember that God loves us more that we can imagine . He loves us like nobody can so do not be afraid to ask for His pardon.

God Bless,
matthew
 
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SultantOfSuede:
When I converted, I made a general confession to a priest. The priest asked very thorough questions about things I may have done or actually did. I indicated yes/no and how many times. At the time, I left out something out of forgetfulness. I’m not sure whether it’s a mortal or venial sin. I remembered the sin (if it was one) a few years after my conversion. It was committed when I was like 10 or 12 or maybe 14. The sin is esp. embarrassing to me personally and I’ve concealed it in confession for this reason (for others as well), but I know people who do what I did for a living and so far as I know, they are not in a state of sin. The sin involves curiosity about animal anatomy. (When I was a kid, I wanted desperately to be a veterinarian like James Herriott. Then I took high school chemistry from a man-hater…) The act was not in any way cruel. My question is this: I have never confessed this to a priest because I thought a) I was covered by the first general confession b) it would only be salutary to revisit my former sins against God, not essential to confess it. Now I’m having second thoughts and am wondering if all my confessions for the past several years have been made invalid? I know I should ask a priest about this, but I can’t possibly be the only person to have ever had this come up. I thought other converts on this site might be able to share their expereiences. I’ve stopped going to communion for fear of having committed sacrilege in confession.

In Domino,

SultanOfSuede
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If it’s bothering you that much, you should confess it, even just to give yourself peace of mind. In doing so you will receive the sacrament. It has been said the our conscience is the Spirit inside of us doing it’s job.

A solution for you may be to go to an older church, one with a confessional, where you can give your confession in complete privacy and without giving up your identity. Call ahead of time to let it be known to the priest that this is what you seek.

I’ve personally just found priests anywhere and asked if they will hear my confession. I’ve confessed right out on the sidewalk!

The thing to associate with the confession is that Jesus works throught the priest as a minister, thereby forgiving the sin that you present. (2 Cor 5:16-20). Once you complete your confession with sincerety, peace will come to your mind.

None of the confessions you made are invalid. Not remembering a sin is not a sin. You have received the sacrament and it is forever valid. Do your confession and receive the Eucharist again. RUN!!!

Subrosa
 
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