Sacrament of Penance: Is this required?

[MarieVeronica]

Dear CAF. I started thinking about something… and I discovered, that I don’t know the answer for sure.

Is it REQUIRED that we tell the priest how long it’s been since our last confession? Or only SUGGESTED that we do so?

What got me thinking about it… I went to Confession a few months back… and right after I said… “Bless me, father…” the priest interjected… “and what do you need to confess?”… without giving me a chance to say how long since my last confession. So I’m confused.

Did that make sense? lol

Your answers are appreciated… and thanks, in advance. God bless.

 

[surritter]

I don’t have Canon Law in front of me, but I would say that it in no way invalidates the sacrament. It is meant for the priest to better assess your situation.

 

[Cristiano]

I have been often interrupted by the priest. Sometime the priest asked me to just mention the sins the sins. Sometime he asked me when was the last time that I went to confession, and I have been tempted to say: “well, if you let my speak and go though the formula you will know how long it has been.”

 

[bilop]

Dear CAF. I started thinking about something… and I discovered, that I don’t know the answer for sure.

Is it REQUIRED that we tell the priest how long it’s been since our last confession? Or only SUGGESTED that we do so?

What got me thinking about it… I went to Confession a few months back… and right after I said… “Bless me, father…” the priest interjected… “and what do you need to confess?”… without giving me a chance to say how long since my last confession. So I’m confused.

Did that make sense? lol

Your answers are appreciated… and thanks, in advance. God bless.

The only things that are “required” in confession are 1) contrition 2) enumeration of all mortal sins of which you are aware 3) absolution with the words “I absolve you”.

Anything else is not essential for validity.

God Bless

 

[Joe_Kelley]

I don’t have Canon Law in front of me, but I would say that it in no way invalidates the sacrament. It is meant for the priest to better assess your situation.

That’s the way my pastor explained it to the RCIA.

 

[MarieVeronica]

Thank you, everyone. :thankyou:

 

[rowermath]

I’m pretty sure that is just a big help to the priest so that he can give better and more accurate counsel based on your specific situation and such. Maybe if you look at it that way, it might be easier to tell him. Hope this helps!

 

[coda]

The only things that are “required” in confession are 1) contrition 2) enumeration of all mortal sins of which you are aware 3) absolution with the words “I absolve you”.

Anything else is not essential for validity.

God Bless

I dont think#2 is strictly{enumeratively] required for the essential validity
of the sacrament. If I am wrong please correct me…

 

[DL82]

I dont think#2 is strictly{enumeratively] required for the essential validity
of the sacrament. If I am wrong please correct me…

Again, don’t have the catechism in front of me right now, but I believe you are required not to withold any mortal sins. That usually means naming and numbering all the ones you can remember, all the same, as long as you are not deliberately holding back a sin so as to deceive your confessor, I’m pretty sure it’s valid.

 

[coda]

Again, don’t have the catechism in front of me right now, but I believe you are required not to withold any mortal sins. That usually means naming and numbering all the ones you can remember, all the same, as long as you are not deliberately holding back a sin so as to deceive your confessor, I’m pretty sure it’s valid.

I am sure naming sins is essental. I am pretty sure enumerating them is not , in the strictest sense, required for validity.

 

[dans0622]

I am sure naming sins is essental. I am pretty sure enumerating them is not , in the strictest sense, required for validity.

Hi Coda,

If you look back to the Council of Trent, you see this canon from the 14th session:

Canon 7. If anyone says that in the sacrament of penance it is not required by divine law for the remission of sins to confess each and all mortal sins which are recalled after a due and diligent examination…let him be anathema.

There is a fuller treatment of this in chapter V of the same session, dealing with this sacrament. Here`s a link, if you want to read it:

ewtn.com/library/COUNCILS/TRENT14.HTM#3

The current Code (c. 960) speaks of integral confession and that the faithful are bound by the obligation to confess, in kind and number, all grave sins (c. 988).

The Order of Penance (which I do not have in front of me) would be more complete, I imagine.

Thanks for your time.

Dan

P.S. As to the original question–no, saying how long it`s been is not required.

 

[Cristiano]

I am sure naming sins is essental. I am pretty sure enumerating them is not , in the strictest sense, required for validity.

You are correct only if you cannot recall the exact number, but then you should give an estimate. However, the fact that we forget which mortal sins or how many times it is a clear sign that we do not have a well formed conscience and/or that we do not examine our conscience too often.

Mortal sin is such a clear choice, and I honestly believe that it is difficult for a Catholic to forget how and when he chose to insult God. The only time when I think it is reasonable not to remember all the sins and how many time is for a confession of someone returning to the Church after years of separation.

 

[lizaanne]

Dear CAF. I started thinking about something… and I discovered, that I don’t know the answer for sure.

Is it REQUIRED that we tell the priest how long it’s been since our last confession? Or only SUGGESTED that we do so?

What got me thinking about it… I went to Confession a few months back… and right after I said… “Bless me, father…” the priest interjected… “and what do you need to confess?”… without giving me a chance to say how long since my last confession. So I’m confused.

Did that make sense? lol

Your answers are appreciated… and thanks, in advance. God bless.

Personally I feel that he was just being rude to not let you finish speaking and beginning your confession in the traditional manner. Otherwise, there is nothing that says that you must do it that way.

I’m sorry you had to encounter that - I hope the rest of the sacrament went well for you.

~Liza

 

[MarieVeronica]

Personally I feel that he was just being rude to not let you finish speaking and beginning your confession in the traditional manner. Otherwise, there is nothing that says that you must do it that way.

I’m sorry you had to encounter that - I hope the rest of the sacrament went well for you.

~Liza

Liza… thank you for your response. :thankyou: I really didn’t mean to imply that my priest spoke, rudely… to me. Because he didn’t. This was my Pastor… whom we all love dearly. He is a very caring and fatherly man. But his method in the confessional was a little “different” from the priest I usually confess to… and so, it confused me. I’m not the sharpest knife in the drawer. :blushing:

Thanks everyone, for your replies. They were very helpful. God bless.