Telling a small lie in confessional?

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Is lying about time since your last confession not able to be forgiven in the process of the ensuing confession?
I am embaressed about frequent confessions–the priests I go to at school will not understand them.
 
Drx said:
Is lying about time since your last confession not able to be forgiven in the process of the ensuing confession?
I am embaressed about frequent confessions–the priests I go to at school will not understand them.
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When someone goes to confession to a priest, that person is really confessing to Jesus
who knows all. The priest is only his instrument representing him. When a lie is told
Jesus knows the truth. A person must always tell the truth in confession about everything.

“In trying to get rid of bad habits, it is of the greatest importance not to put off going to confession after a fall, and also to keep to the same confessor.” St. Philip Neri
 
What is the point in going to confession and telling a lie??
 
We must always tell the truth in Confession, even if it’s embarassing. Even a little venial sin hurts Jesus. Isn’t it sad to hurt Him in the process of Him forgiving you? 😦 He endured death on the Cross for us, - it’s nothing to be embarassed 🙂

God bless
 
Drx said:
Is lying about time since your last confession not able to be forgiven in the process of the ensuing confession?
I am embaressed about frequent confessions–the priests I go to at school will not understand them.
Click to expand...
Say whatever you want !!!
Hear what they want to say !!!
Forget it all till next confession !!!
 
If you lie in confession, what is the point of going to confession?
 
Drx said:
Is lying about time since your last confession not able to be forgiven in the process of the ensuing confession?
I am embaressed about frequent confessions–the priests I go to at school will not understand them.
Click to expand...
Pretty stupid thing to do.
In my personal opinion that makes your Confession lack sincerity and even though you fooled the priest and he gave absolution I would imagine that to be invalid. You cannot fool God.
 
OP, you seem to be worried that the priest will treat you harshly because of your actual time away from confession.

We tell Father how long it is as a guide. If it has been a very long time, Father might need to assist the confessor with the confession.

Tell Father the truth.
 
I think I get what you’re embarrased about - - I used to worry my priest would think I’m scrupulous about frequent confessions but you have to stamp out your pride and tell yourself that it’s the sin of pride that makes you worry about the priest judging you. As the others said, you’re confessing to Jesus and He knows what’s in your heart. It’s a sin to lie and the fact that you’re lying in confession is really wrong. But God knows you were lying and He is ready and willing to forgive you. Please try not to worry about what the priest might be thinking about you - - I know it’s hard. God bless you!
 
Drx said:
Is lying about time since your last confession not able to be forgiven in the process of the ensuing confession?
I am embaressed about frequent confessions–the priests I go to at school will not understand them.
Click to expand...
I might be wrong, but I don’t think the elapsed time since the last confession is that big of a deal. I’m on the other end of the spectrum in that I usually don’t accurately remember when my last confession was because it was so long ago.

But, I think I know how you feel. I tend to go to confession at churches that I don’t attend regularly because, being an American in Australia, I’m usually the only Yank in the parish and I worry about the priest recognising my accent outside of the confessional.
 
You mentioned that the priest at school “wouldn’t understand.” Chances are, if your frequent confessions are becoming excessively frequent, obsessive and constantly bringing up something that you’ve confessed previously (and didn’t repeat,) Father would understand very well: You might be prone to scrupulosity. And that character trait can drain the joy of knowing Christ and loving Him right out of a person.

You can get some advice about dealing with this personality trait by going to confession, confessing the lie about frequency of confessions, and then asking the priest if he thinks that you might be heading towards scrupulosity and asking for his advice on the matter.
 
In today’s culture where few engage in this sacrament, I should think any priest would delight in those making frequent confessions. That is, unless as was suggested, you’re being overly scrupulous OR repeating the same sin again and again. It’s ironic that you attend confession a lot, but then feel you must fudge about the frequency and risk an invalid absolution. Bottom line is don’t worry about it and fess up. Priests have heard it all.
 
Rahn said:
I might be wrong, but I don’t think the elapsed time since the last confession is that big of a deal. I’m on the other end of the spectrum in that I usually don’t accurately remember when my last confession was because it was so long ago.

But, I think I know how you feel. I tend to go to confession at churches that I don’t attend regularly because, being an American in Australia, I’m usually the only Yank in the parish and I worry about the priest recognising my accent outside of the confessional.
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If it was 367 days, just say “a year.”

If it was six or eight days, say “about a week.”

If it was less than six days though, say how many days- don’t be embarrassed, know that God is very pleased that you are so dedicated to the Sacraments.

If it’s a matter of years, but less than about 8, say how many years and half-years.

If it’s more than 8 years, it’s probably ok to round to the nearest year.
 
Drx said:
Is lying about time since your last confession not able to be forgiven in the process of the ensuing confession?
I am embaressed about frequent confessions–the priests I go to at school will not understand them.
Click to expand...
Previous respondents have given good answers, but I think they have missed the point of your question, if I have read it correctly.

You seem to be saying that you know that lying in the confession is wrong, and want to confess it next time, but, for some reason, you think it can’t be forgiven.

Of course it can be forgiven! If repeated, grave sacrilige of the confessional can be forgiven (and it can), then certainly a silly lie which was intended to cover your embarassment over frequent of confession can be forgiven!

And, was it really a lie? Did you say “a week” when you meant “six days”. I wouldn’t worry about it. It it was only 3 days, then I think you should mention it, but it is not a big deal! Father will probably smile.
 
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