Resolve?

[Thoughtfulone]

I became a bit confused during confession, my resolve not to do something again was wavering and I ended up thinking that I would most likely commit that sin in the future. The thing is, I realized later that the sin is only venial and not mortal, so I wouldn’t be committing a mortal sin if I repeated it. But since my resolve was not really total during my confession, is my confession invalid even though it turns out that this thing was probably just a venial sin and even if repeated would not result in separation from God? I’m confused and it was a HUGE confession. I don’t want to have to do it all over again!

 

[rskempf]

I would check into guides for confession. I believe you need to confess, be truly sorry, and resolve not to commit that sin again. After this, you have to complete the penance.

Since you were not totally resolved to avoid committing this sin in the future, there may be case for invalid confession.

I would bring this up at the next confession. I go on the first and third Saturday. This is a modified version of the First Saturday Devotion.

Most importantly, never give up. This is a spiritual battle between you and the forces fo evil. You cannot give in.

 

[Barbkw]

I became a bit confused during confession, my resolve not to do something again was wavering and I ended up thinking that I would most likely commit that sin in the future. The thing is, I realized later that the sin is only venial and not mortal, so I wouldn’t be committing a mortal sin if I repeated it. But since my resolve was not really total during my confession, is my confession invalid even though it turns out that this thing was probably just a venial sin and even if repeated would not result in separation from God? I’m confused and it was a HUGE confession. I don’t want to have to do it all over again!

Look into your future and remember that the intent of confession is to remake yourself into the image of Christ, a saint.

Right now, in my life at age 50, I have 5 constant compulsive behaviors that I commit on the negative or that I omit on the positive. I’m resolved to continually combat them.

 

[Thoughtfulone]

The thing is, I was confessing drinking too much to the point of being blasted on occasion. Now, my goal is not to do that anymore, but I will of course be having a few over the holidays. It turns out that being inebriated (according to the Modern Catholic Dictionary) is only a serious matter if you do it to the point of losing reason, morality, your senses, etc., otherwise it is merely venial. So is knowing that I will probably commit a venial sin by drinking (over the holidays at Christmas parties, etc. by becoming inebriated but not to the point of not knowing right from wrong or anything) an invalidation of my confession if I am supposed to resolve to “sin no more”, or is that more referring to serious sins that separate us from God, not venial ones? Because if I’m being realistic, I know that these things are probably going to happen on occasion, but I am resolved not to commit any serious sins obviously.

Now, what if I THOUGHT something was a mortal sin (like eating cupcakes), but didn’t really agree with it, so I went to confession knowing that there were going to be cupcakes at my friend’s house and that I would probably have one, would that actually invalidate my confession even if I found out later that eating cupcakes is not a mortal sin at all, but a venial one at most? Would the fact that my resolve wasn’t strong enough even on what would turn out to be a rather trivial matter invalidate it because of intent?

 

[Bookcat]

I became a bit confused during confession, my resolve not to do something again was wavering and I ended up thinking that I would most likely commit that sin in the future. The thing is, I realized later that the sin is only venial and not mortal, so I wouldn’t be committing a mortal sin if I repeated it. But since my resolve was not really total during my confession, is my confession invalid even though it turns out that this thing was probably just a venial sin and even if repeated would not result in separation from God? I’m confused and it was a HUGE confession. I don’t want to have to do it all over again!

One has to be amended in regards to ALL MORTAL SINS…

Does this mean that one can not “fear due to weakness” that one may commit it again?

…no.

…that can be compatible with contrition and firm purpose of amendment.

One needs to make a firm resolution of will not to and one is to avoid the near occasions of mortal sin.

(if a venial sin has “no purpose of amendment” then it is not forgiven…but if one has another sin that one is sorry for…the confession is still good…the rest are absolved…this is different with mortal sin.)

If one does not reject something grave…have a good purpose of amendment…one can not be absolved…something like contraception, abortion, sins of lust, other sexual sins, other grave sins…against the Catholic Faith or serious ones against Charity, murder, euthanasia etc…either they are all repented of and absolved or none…

Where you firmly amended to avoid it thinking whatever it was --was a mortal sin…but just feared that one may fall due to weakness?? Or did one not reject it??..sort of planned to do it again? (was it just some feeling of fear??)

You can of course return to the same priest for confession…and tell him what happened…

One must reject all mortal sins…have no intent on committing any (not even what one thinks is one…) but rather one must have a firm purpose of amendment…etc…one with scruples of course need to see their confessor…

In any case when approaching confession one should always reject all mortal sin…intend not to commit any…to avoid them all. Even if one fears ones weakness.

 

[Barbkw]

The thing is, I was confessing drinking too much to the point of being blasted on occasion. Now, my goal is not to do that anymore, but I will of course be having a few over the holidays. It turns out that being inebriated (according to the Modern Catholic Dictionary) is only a serious matter if you do it to the point of losing reason, morality, your senses, etc., otherwise it is merely venial.

Don’t take that explaination lightly, the state department of motor vehicles and police certainly don’t.

Check out this online Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) Calculator

If these hourly alcohol amounts are over limits to drive a vehicle, the content is also affecting reason and morality.

ou.edu/oupd/bac.htm

Examination guides are probably written by age old sinners

They generally attempt to make people aware of actions that are either straight out mortal sins, or they are warning about actions that prepare a person for greater and closer association with increasing sin.

There are several websites that contain guides for the adult examination of conscience.

google.com/search?q=adult+examination+of+conscience&rlz=1I7ADBR_en&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&sourceid=ie7

 

[PJM]

=Thoughtfulone;7392864]I became a bit confused during confession, my resolve not to do something again was wavering and I ended up thinking that I would most likely commit that sin in the future. The thing is, I realized later that the sin is only venial and not mortal, so I wouldn’t be committing a mortal sin if I repeated it. But since my resolve was not really total during my confession, is my confession invalid even though it turns out that this thing was probably just a venial sin and even if repeated would not result in separation from God? I’m confused and it was a HUGE confession. I don’t want to have to do it all over again!

***Given the fact that one, in an absolute sense need not Confess venial sins; yet it is a GREAT prctice and earns one additionl Grace, the Confesion remains valid.

It sounds like perhaps, habit, or addiction may be an issue here? If so that is a medigating circumstance that one needs to work on and resove in God’s favor; but would not invalidate the Sacrament.

It would be prudent to discuss the issue with your Confessor***.

 

[Thoughtfulone]

Thanks to all of you for the responses! I really do THINK I made a good confession. I think I was just wavering at the last minute. I sometimes have a hard time with Church Authority (something I confessed!) and so if I think that it is taught that something is a mortal sin but I really can’t get myself to believe it, I tend to reject that notion at first and I need time to think about it. I wouldn’t say that I was so much PLANNING to do it again as I was wrestling with the idea and being stubborn about it, if that makes any sense. It turns out it’s not even a mortal sin anyway, but as you pointed out BookCat, part of me may have thought that it was and my resolve was weak.

I may mention it at my next confession. Do you think he will make me go through the entire confession again, because this one took a lot of guts and I REALLY don’t want to do it all over again!