Writing your sins down?

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lil_flower_luv

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Hello šŸ‘‹

I have been told by two people (a parent and a priest) whoā€™s opinion is you should not bring a list of your sins into the confessional. Their reasoning is that the Holy Spirit will guide you at the time you are called to say your sins. My opinion is that the Holy Spirit can also guide you to examine your conscience before you go to Confession (hence the list), and that if you forget something important while writing, then later remember it in the confessional, you can easily add it in. What do you think? How many of you are list-bringers and how many of you think it should be a no-no (due to some legit reason)? Thanks in advance.
 
I bring a list. I also let my priest know that I am working from list, my memory is so poor.
 
The only caveat about writing your sins down on a list is the possibility that the list could be left behind, and, if the person behind you might know you and recognize your handwriting, it endangers the confidentiality of the sacrament of Penance.

There is also another danger that the Circular Letter on the Integrity of the Sacrament of Penance lists:
  1. The divine constitution of the Sacrament of Penance requires each penitent to confess to a priest all mortal sins, as well as specifying moral circumstances that he remembers after a diligent examination of conscience.4 For this reason the Code of Canon Law states clearly that ā€œindividual and integral confession and absolution is the sole ordinary means by which a member of the faithful who is conscious of mortal sin is reconciled with God and with the Church. Physical or moral impossibility alone excuses from such confessionā€.5 In specifiying this obligation, the Church has insistently reiterated that ā€œall the faithful who have reached the age of discretion are bound faithfully to confess their mortal sins at least once a yearā€.6 "Energetic efforts are to be made to avoid any risk that this traditional practice of the Sacrament of Penance fall into disuse."7 Indeed, in this Jubilee Year Catholics are called in a particular way ā€œto encounter anew the uniquely transforming experience that is individual, integral confession and absolutionā€.8 In accord with the law and practice of the Church, the faithful must orally confess their sins (auricular confession)9, except in cases of true physical or moral impossibility (e.g., extreme illness or physical condition inhibiting speech, speech impediment, etc.) This disposition would exclude communal celebrations of the sacrament in which penitents are invited to present a written list of sins to the priest confessor. It should be noted that such innovations also risk compromising the inviolable seal of sacramental confession.
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While this specifically covers communal reconciliation services, there is still a risk that the penitent may accidentally leave the list behind.
 
When I first started practicing as an adult there was about 20 years of stuff that had not been confessed since my first confession at age 9. So, Iā€™d go to confession, mention what I could remember. Later that day, or later in the week, Iā€™d think of something else. So, Iā€™d try to remember the next time and the entire circle would start again after each confession.

Then I got tired of that happening and set a date to do a thorough examination. I took my list (3.5 - 4 pages of typed) of sins with me and made an appointment for confession. I clutched my pages in my fist from the time I was done to the time I got home.

As soon as I got home I lit all of them on fire.

Since then the Holy Spirit has been able to whisper in my ear to remind me during my monthly confession.
 
+The holy and much beloved . . . and greatly blest by God . . . European convent following the . . . Holy Rule of St. Benedict for Monasteries . . . *which has been such a constant and blessed influence in my life *. . . requires that all the nuns . . . from the :nun1: Reverend Mother Emmanuel . . . down through the :nun1: Mother Superior . . . and on down to the newest of :nun2: postulants . . . maintain the holy practice of keeping a small daily journal (the convent supplies the little journals and a pencil) in which . . . upon a daily examination of conscience . . . they record their faults, sins and imperfections . . . and using this list all the nuns are encouraged to seek **Godā€™s **forgiveness and help in all matters and every area of daily life . . . large and small . . . and each :nun2: nun is required to keep their little journal up daily . . .

This holy practice has proven . . . *over many many centuries . . . *to be a great help and assistance in the growth in the grace and knowledge of our ****Lord Jesus ****. . . the Blessed Christ . . . in the lives of Godā€™s children in monastic life and beyond in the lives of Godā€™s children in the world . . . and a real encouragement and positive fruitful influence in the training of their souls in the pathways of holiness and Godly living . . . constantly encouraging souls to realize **God loves them and that there is nothing trivial in the His eyes or beyond His kind help . . . and that in the formation of the redeemed souls of His children . . . each motivation and intention and action can be motivated, formed and perfected so as to bring glory to our Wonderful God **. . .

And remember . . . confession is not just limited to the confessional . . . confession and seeking Godā€™s forgiveness and help regarding faults, imperfections and sin should be an . . . aware . . . ongoing process throughout the day as we walk with our Wonderful Lord . . . and in each **Holy Prayer of the Mass **. . . *when the liturgy includes the liturgical confession of sin at the beginning *. . . we can make a holy confession . . . and each time we pray the ā€œOur Fatherā€ we seek Godā€™s forgiveness . . . and throughout the Holy Prayer of the Rosary . . . we have the lovely little prayer at the end of each decade seeking Jesus forgiveness of our sins . . . the sought for end result is for the soul in all humility to stay close to itā€™s Lord sensivitely walking in His holy pathways . . . aware, confessed, forgiven, cleansed and strengthened. . . and constantly growing in the grace and knowledge of our ***Lord Jesus Christ ***. . .

Just a gentle caution however . . . sometimes life places us in circumstances . . . wherever we may be . . . monastery, home, dormitory, visiting friends or family, etc. . . . among those who may not be considered trustworthy regarding such personal matters involving the soul and itā€™s God . . . discretely and prudently taking care to keep such a record in a safe place . . . where it is available . . . only . . . for your eyes and use is a very wise and essential precaution . . . and disposing/destruction of each journal properly when it is filled is a necessity . . .
  • Jesus I Trust In You +
*Peace . . . *
. . . all for Jesus+
. . . thank You Dear Blessed Lord+
. . . thank you Holy Mother Mary+
. . . thank you Holy Mother Church+​
 
I prefer to write my sins down on paper prior to going to confession. The two main reasons I do it is one, I find it very helpful during my examination of conscience. Seeing it on paper provides an opportunity for me to reflect on ways to avoid committing them in the future. The second reason has been mentioned by others is I simply donā€™t want to forget them. I have been told that sins you forget to mention are forgiven if you have not purposely withheld them from the priest but I feel much better mentioning them to him. I believe the risk of leaving the paper behind and in a place that someone will be able to identify the person, although a real possibility, is probably very low and the value of preparing it is far greater. Once I am home, I put it in the paper shredder.

I have heard this question asked several times on the Catholic Answers radio show. I know Jimmy Akin has addressed it. He did not see any issue with preparing a list but did recommend as other posters have mentioned that you should destroy it immediately after confession.
 
It often happens to me to forget some sins. It is quite embarassing to go backā€¦ :o

The thing is, sometimes you will be focusing on one sin thatā€™s haunting your mind, and youā€™ll forget the others.

So i write them down by categories, and try to memorize them. šŸ‘
 
Thank you all for your responses, šŸ™‚
Jesus_123 said:
+The holy and much beloved . . . and greatly blest by God . . . European convent following the . . . Holy Rule of St. Benedict for Monasteries . . . *which has been such a constant and blessed influence in my life *. . . requires that all the nuns . . . from the :nun1: Reverend Mother Emmanuel . . . down through the :nun1: Mother Superior . . . and on down to the newest of :nun2: postulants . . . maintain the holy practice of keeping a small daily journal (the convent supplies the little journals and a pencil) in which . . . upon a daily examination of conscience . . . they record their faults, sins and imperfections . . . and using this list all the nuns are encouraged to seek **Godā€™s **forgiveness and help in all matters and every area of daily life . . . large and small . . . and each :nun2: nun is required to keep their little journal up daily . . .
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What a great idea. šŸ‘ Not only would journaling help me examine my sins everyday, but it would keep them at the forefront of my mind when I get to Confession. And maybe I wonā€™t need to bring in a list anymore. šŸ™‚ Thanks again!

Hope you all have a blessed Mercy Sunday tomorrow.
 
I sometimes write a list - but always use some sort of code (maybe the first letter or two of the name of each sin, instead of the whole word) so that if someone came across the list they wonā€™t know what it is.
 
I donā€™t write an actual list of my own sins, but I have a lamenated copy of an extensive examination of conscience that my husband made for me a few years back that I study and pray over before I enter the confessional. Its sorta like a ā€œcheat sheetā€ because I can refer back to it while confessing, but it I were to ever lose it, there is no way anybody would be able to tell what I needed to confess.
 
lil_flower_luv said:
Thank you all for your responses, :)What a great idea. šŸ‘ Not only would journaling help me examine my sins everyday, but it would keep them at the forefront of my mind when I get to Confession. And maybe I wonā€™t need to bring in a list anymore. šŸ™‚ Thanks again!

Hope you all have a blessed Mercy Sunday tomorrow.
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Donā€™t just journal your sins though! Also use it as a place to record and thank God for the blessings He gives you, and the good that you are able to do each day through His grace.
 
LilyM said:
Donā€™t just journal your sins though! Also use it as a place to record and thank God for the blessings He gives you, and the good that you are able to do each day through His grace.
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Thank you, LilyM šŸ‘
 
+The below poem came to mind this morning in regard to this thread . . . to my soul it is a true expression of the Sweet Spirit of our Godā€™s holy gift of Wisdom . . .

One of the wholesome fruits of journaling is one can actually . . . visibly see . . . oneā€™s soulā€™s growth and development and progress occurring in the areas of overcoming faults and imperfections being worked upon . . . *by Godā€™s grace with the Lordā€™s encouragement and help *. . . and I have often been blessed and much appreciate the healthy perspective in the area of self discipline and attempts at same shared in this little quote from the poem below . . .

Beyond a wholesome discipline
be gentle with yourself.
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+
. . . :coffeeread: . . .
Desiderata
(Desired Things)
by Max Ehrmann

Go placidly amid the noise and the haste,
and remember what peace there may be in silence.
As far as possible without surrender be on good terms with all persons.

Speak your truth quietly and clearly;
and listen to others,
even to the dull and the ignorant,
they too have their story.
Avoid loud and aggressive persons,
they are vexations to the spirit.
If you compare yourself with others,
you may become vain or bitter;
for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.

Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.
Keep interested in your own career, however humble;
it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.
Exercise caution in your business affairs,
for the world is full of trickery.
But let not this blind you to what virtue there is;
many persons strive for high ideals,
and everywhere life is full of heroism.

Be yourself.
Especially do not feign affection.
Neither be cynical about love;
for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment
it is as perennial as the grass.

Take kindly the counsel of the years,
gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.

Beyond a wholesome discipline,
be gentle with yourself.
You are a child of the universe,
no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore, be at peace with God,
whatever you conceive Him to be.
And whatever your labors and aspirations in the noisy confusion of life,
keep peace in your soul.
With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams;
it is still a beautiful world.

Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.
+
. . . all for Jesus+
. . . thank You Sweet Spirit of our Holy God+​
 
benedictgal said:
The only caveat about writing your sins down on a list is the possibility that the list could be left behind, and, if the person behind you might know you and recognize your handwriting, it endangers the confidentiality of the sacrament of Penance.

There is also another danger that the Circular Letter on the Integrity of the Sacrament of Penance lists:

While this specifically covers communal reconciliation services, there is still a risk that the penitent may accidentally leave the list behind.
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These are very good reasons why a priest would never suggest that a penitent habitually write down their sins. The confessor is charged with keeping the sins of those who confess to him a secret.

Likewise, out of fairness, a penitent should never discuss what a confessor said to him or her in confession, since the confessor is kept from ever correcting mistakes in what was said or defending himself if he is misrepresented. Rather, just as a confessor might speak in general of what kinds of things he has heard over the years, a penitent might speak in general terms of the sorts of things he or she has understood to have heard from a confessor in the confessional. If the sentiments are identified as coming from a particular confessor, the comments should stick to what he has said outside the context of the confessional.

As for the penitent, howeverā€¦he or she is free to rent a billboard and list all of their sins in letters five feet high, just as a confessor could of course talk about sins he has committed himself during the course of a homily. We are not prevented from admitting the exact nature of our past sins, simply because we have confessed them sacramentally. (This makes sense: how could a murderer, having confessed to murder, ever turn himself into the police later? He or she would be breaking the seal!!)

Your point speaks to prudence, though:
If you absolutely donā€™t want the whole world to know something about you, though, donā€™t write it down.
(And never, ever write about it to your ā€œfriendsā€ on your Facebook page. :rolleyes: šŸ˜‰ )
 
I make a list, and sometimes I find it difficult to admit certain things even on paper. I will sit their with the pin poised to write, and find myself very reluctant to writed down ā€œI ______.ā€

I always have it with me in the confessional. I usually use post-it notes. Then I have to keep it brief, and Iā€™m not pulling out a big olā€™ sheet of paper if I need to look at my ā€œcheat sheetā€.

I always have it with me, but lately I donā€™t use it all that much. I have never had a priest say anything negative about using a list. Once, I had a complete mental block, so I asked the priest if it was OK if I got out my list. He said, ā€œsureā€ and offered that he gets ā€œanxiousā€, too, when he goes to confession.
 
BcharaK said:
It often happens to me to forget some sins. It is quite embarassing to go backā€¦ :o

The thing is, sometimes you will be focusing on one sin thatā€™s haunting your mind, and youā€™ll forget the others.

So i write them down by categories, and try to memorize them. šŸ‘
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My first confession, I wrote them down, grouped by commandment, in order of commandment numberā€¦
 
I must admit I have done this but after giving consideration to my terrible memory, my own resolution was simple ā€œmore frequent confessionā€ = less to remember. It also keeps me that much more aware of my sins so I can possibly stop them before they happen. Some I have come to detest so much I avoid any situation that might lead to that particular sin.

Well Thank God for all this because he knows what we need before we are even born.

He is Soooooooo AWESOME !!!

šŸ™‚
 
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