The Confessional

[Antonius_Lupus]

I am preparing to go to confession for the first time since my infant baptism.

How specific must we be when confessing our sins?

 

[LilyM]

I am preparing to go to confession for the first time since my infant baptism.

How specific must we be when confessing our sins?

Congratulations first of all - be sure to tell the priest it’s your first confession, he’ll help you out if you get stuck.

You don’t have to be too detailed - just enough that the priest knows the nature of the sin and any relevant details that may be necessary for him to give you appropriate advice and a penance.

As an example -

‘I stole’ is way too general.

‘I went into the First National bank on Main Street on Thursday, it was 2pm and there were five people in the bank, and I robbed them with a Colt .45 and ended up with $10,053.60’ is WAY too detailed

‘I robbed a bank with a pistol, stole about $10,000, and traumatised a few customers’ is about right.

Bear in mind the priest can also ask you whatever details he feels are necessary, so don’t fret too much about the amount of detail.

 

[scylla]

Your really only need to state the sin not the lurid details.
Example,
“I commited adultery approximately this many times”
" I stole this much money from my employer, etc…)

God knows the details and He doesn’t need excuses.

Sometimes we might be tempted to kinda give excuses, but a confession is truly facing our sins honestly and accusing ourselves of offending God then asking for His forgiveness.

Make a list or something that should help you clearly and comprehensively cover all your sins so you make a good confession and go power through it, it will be worth it.

God Bless,
Scylla