What if you made up for it?

[constantconvert]

All my questions seem to be about Reconciliation these days.

Anyway, if you try to make up for a venial sin do you still have to confess it? For example my teen was making a huge deal about something small, and I made a sarcastic comment to try to show that she was really blowing it out of proportion. Later I apologized, so do I still need to confess it? That’s just one example of what I’m talking about.

 

[1ke]

You are obligated to confess mortal sins.

It is a good practice to confess venial sins, but you are not ever obligated to do so.

 

[Edmundus1581]

You are obligated to confess mortal sins.

It is a good practice to confess venial sins, but you are not ever obligated to do so.

And, yes, it is still a venial sin if you have made up for it. So, whether or not to confess is up to you.

Just to clarify that it was a sin. Whether or not an action was sinful depends on what one thought and intended at the time… If I intended to sin, even venially, then it was a sin. On the other hand, if my action was objectively sinful, but I did not intend to sin, then I don’t have to confess.

It is still good to make reparation for any venial sins, and, if we have done so, to mention it (briefly!) in confession. “I made reparation” or “I apologised” is usually sufficient. This will save the confessor from asking, as he may need to do so. It also shows him that we are penitent.