This post has been deleted by the author

[grace]

This post has been deleted by the author.

 

[neophyte]

If you intended to confess all of your sins, and did the best you could at the time, that’s all that God asks. At my first confession there was a whole lot of “I did thus-and-so more times than I can count”… relax. If you think of something later, maybe you commited adultery once and hadn’t remembered it in the confessional, then you can mention it next time. But as long as you did the best you were able at the time and fully intended to confess all of your sins, your sins are forgiven

 

[ajg]

Your confession was valid as long as you did not INTENTIONALLY withhold sins.

 

[Gertabelle]

Big hugs.

Your confession was most definitely valid. Listing the sins is essential. Giving their exact number may not even be possible, depending on circumstances. Sometimes number can only be represented by time – “I was in a non-marital sexual relationship for eight years” – or by the number of participants – “I engaged in fornication with five different people.”

Don’t worry about the details so much.

And as another poster said, if you recall something later, you can mention it in a future confession. Spend time looking forward to deepening your relationship with Christ through prayer and the sacraments.

And God bless you abundantly!

 

[grace]

Thank you so much for the advice! I can finally relax now. God bless you

 

[Arkansan]

We are required to confess in kind and number. However, if you were unaware of the need to confess the number, then your confession was still valid. You should simply mention the number in your next confession.

Approximate numbers (or estimates of frequency and duration) are sufficient if giving an exact number is impossible.

 

[joeybaggz]

Christ knows you are there, Christ knows you are sorry, Christ wants desperately for you to confess your sins and seek His love, His mercy, and His forgiveness. AS to the number of times, somehow, I don’t think He really sweats the small stuff. Don’t worry, be happy!

 

[Vico]

… I do not know the exact number …

One cannot be expected to confess an exact number when it is not known.

 

[simonjosiah1]

you’ve stated all your sins, you’ve repented and you want to amend your life, that sounds valid, don’t worry, if you are so worried, just ask a priest next time you see him. Stay faithful, pray the rosary, God bless

 

[PJM]

I went to Confession and I had a LOT of Mortal Sins. I had a huge list. While I was speaking, my voice was croaky and it felt like I couldn’t talk. It was weird since that only happened right when I started confessing my sins. Anyway, I did each sin numerous times, but I do not know the exact number but I did know that I did them more than once. I left out how many times I did the mortal sins, is it still valid??? I do feel deeply sorry for my sins. Before I went to confession I was so scared that I literally had several nightmares the week before. I prayed and begged God to forgive my sins that I even started crying. I asked my mom if my confession was valid and she said that it was, but I’m still not sure. Help???

Edit: I did not withhold any sins, but I didn’t say how many times I did them. Is that the same thing??

IF Father accepted your CONTRITION {sorrow as being REAL} and granted absolution then GO IN PEACE; your sins ARE forgiven. With the words “I ABSOLVE YOU IN THE name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit” your sins ARE forgiven you,.

If he desired more information HE would have asked for it; though your are CORRECT in the requirement of type and quantity as the NORM.

 

[runningdude]

Your confession is valid. Be at peace.

 

[Edmundus1581]

We are required to confess in kind and number. However, if you were unaware of the need to confess the number, then your confession was still valid. You should simply mention the number in your next confession.

Approximate numbers (or estimates of frequency and duration) are sufficient if giving an exact number is impossible.

Just for accuracy, the requirement for number only applies to mortal sins, although I think you probably meant to say this. As you and others have said, the “number” can be given in many ways, from a specific “Four times”, to “many”, or “few”. The confessor can ask for more specificity if he needs it.

The confessor who heard this confession was satisfied that it was valid (or “integral” in technical terms). If he needed more specific numbers he would have asked, so there is no need to mention the numbers at another confession, unless they were grossly wrong, eg. “A few times” for “many”. In such case this confession is valid (assuming the mistake was not intentional), but the omitted information should be mentioned at the next confession.