Was my confession valid?

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thephilosopher6

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I went to Mass today for the Assumption, I had not been able to confess my sins the previous Saturday so I asked the priest about 20 minutes before Mass and he gladly agreed to it. I confessed all that I remembered, and as soon as he started giving me advice, I realized I had forgotten a few. I wanted to speak up but I didn’t want to interrupt and make it awkward, ultimately he gave me absolution and I shook his hand and that was that. I refrained from the Eucharist because it is better to be safe than sorry. Was my confession invalid?
 
I had thought about making a list of sins, but didn’t. Now I even feel more worried that it was invalid.
 
thephilosopher6 said:
I went to Mass today for the Assumption, I had not been able to confess my sins the previous Saturday so I asked the priest about 20 minutes before Mass and he gladly agreed to it. I confessed all that I remembered, and as soon as he started giving me advice, I realized I had forgotten a few. I wanted to speak up but I didn’t want to interrupt and make it awkward, ultimately he gave me absolution and I shook his hand and that was that. I refrained from the Eucharist because it is better to be safe than sorry. Was my confession invalid?
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Are we talking about sins that are mortal? They are the only ones you are required to confess.

In any event, your confession was perfectly valid, since you had forgotten them in the moment you were confessing.

There was no need to refrain from receiving Eucharist since everything was absolved.

IF the sins were serious, you can mention the next time you go to Confession. If they were not serious, you would not need to mention them at all.
 
Don_Ruggero said:
Are we talking about sins that are mortal? They are the only ones you are required to confess.

In any event, your confession was perfectly valid, since you had forgotten them in the moment you were confessing.

There was no need to refrain from receiving Eucharist since everything was absolved.

IF the sins were serious, you can mention the next time you go to Confession. If they were not serious, you would not need to mention them at all.
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They were mortal sins.
 
thephilosopher6 said:
I went to Mass today for the Assumption, I had not been able to confess my sins the previous Saturday so I asked the priest about 20 minutes before Mass and he gladly agreed to it. I confessed all that I remembered, and as soon as he started giving me advice, I realized I had forgotten a few. I wanted to speak up but I didn’t want to interrupt and make it awkward, ultimately he gave me absolution and I shook his hand and that was that. I refrained from the Eucharist because it is better to be safe than sorry. Was my confession invalid?
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Hi!

It sounds that you were not circumventing the Sacrament… but you kind of dropped the ball as a courtesy to the Priest; once you realized that you had not done a full Confession you should have chimed in… but you did the very best next thing… you thought of Jesus’ and refrained from Receiving Him… just contact a parish near home, office, etc. and Confess these forgotten sins… also ask for clarity… perhaps if the sins were venial the Priest’s Absolution could have had been enough (sort of imperfect but intended full Confession).

Maran atha!

Angel
 
How-what would you think-feel if everyone said "NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! Of course, it was valid. Even if you forgot something, your contrite heart and intention, as well as the absolution…esp. the absolution! made it valid. Be at peace.
 
It was valid, but you should confess them before you go to Mass next.
 
thephilosopher6 said:
They were mortal sins.
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I have been there several times myself. I usually let the priest finish what he’s saying and quickly try to mention whatever it is that’s come to mind at the brief pause where I’m to indicate I understand his instruction. However, I’ve found that I can be more worried about mentioning them before he begins absolution than actually listening to the important words being spoken. Pay attention and if you can quickly try to mention them if you get an opportunity, go for it. I’ve even been absolved twice when I mentioned more after the first absolution. Some priests haven’t figured it necessary to do it a second time even when more sins were mentioned but if it helps peace of mind, it doesn’t hurt to ask.

Father’s advice above is good.
 
I don’t mean this to come off as rude, but do you really commit so many mortal sins that you forget some of them? Especially since it sounds like you go to confession quite regularly? It doesn’t seem like you’d have either the time or inclination to be racking up mortal sins right and left.
 
In my case there have been times where I’ve gone too infrequently and on top of it can be forgetful. Maybe some are venial sins too and I’m just being abundantly cautious. Either way I’m a sinner. In the past I have found it helpful to take time to examine my conscience beforehand and write them down in almost a code only I’ll understand and then destroy the paper afterwards.
 
I’ve been there myself…

It matters if they were mortal sins or not… If they were venial you don’t absolutely have to say them anyway

Sometimes I remember something just as the priest is absolving me and I think that’s ok because I can’t do anything at that point. I just say them next time. Its not a choice not to say them. That’s my understanding anyway… If I remember while I have a chance to add them right before the absolution I try to do that.

You did the safest thing, maybe it would be good to just go on Saturday or whenever and explain, ask the priest about this and finish your Confession 🙂

God bless!
 
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