Writing your sins down?

[kissakat]

I took a list into the confessional with about 8-10 sins listed. Halfway through I hesitated because it was somewhat dark in the room and I had trouble reading it. The priest abruptly interrupted with, “Let’s just consider it a general confession. All your sins are forgiven.” He then recited the prayer of absolution. The problem was that I had listed the sins from the least to what I thought were the worst and I was so rattled that I forgot what the entire pennance was and so did not complete it. Do I need to make another confession? I have received Communion since and worry that I have committed sacrilege by doing so.

 

[EasterJoy]

I took a list into the confessional with about 8-10 sins listed. Halfway through I hesitated because it was somewhat dark in the room and I had trouble reading it. The priest abruptly interrupted with, “Let’s just consider it a general confession. All your sins are forgiven.” He then recited the prayer of absolution. The problem was that I had listed the sins from the least to what I thought were the worst and I was so rattled that I forgot what the entire pennance was and so did not complete it. Do I need to make another confession? I have received Communion since and worry that I have committed sacrilege by doing so.

If a mortal sin was omitted, go talk to the priest. Otherwise, it is wiped away and you are not at fault, since you intentionally omitted nothing. Actually, if you omitted a mortal sin, but through no reservation of your own, but because you were cut off for reasons having nothing to do with you, it could be argued that you did what you could and that is wiped away, too, since the priest clearly knew you had more to say and intentionally absolved you of everything without a full confession. If you felt you had no choice but to go along, then that is on him, not on you. Still, we’re not here to find fault with your confessor. I would explain the situation and confess it, anyway. If at all possible, give this feedback to the actual priest you confessed to the first time. That will be good feedback for him to get.

If you forgot the exact penance, you can hardly ask the priest to repeat what he said, but do your best to do something that requires exertion at least what you think was required.

The next time the priest interrupts or hurries you, do hurry up, but also remember that it is your responsibility to make sure there is nothing mortal held back and that you understand the penance before you leave. Don’t beat yourself up, though. You did not feel free to question his directions or to do other than what he told you the first time and you can’t have a do-over. Fix what you can, confess what you ought, and let God forgive the rest. Now that you know better, you’ll do better.

PS Put the stuff you absolutely don’t want left out, even if “only venial”, at the beginning. I have found it goes quicker to confess worst-to-least, and it is less likely that the things I struggle with the most will be left out or will be given “short shrift” in the advice department.

 

[Mrs_Sally]

This is along the lines of what I do. I had originally made a sheet for my children when they were about 10 or so and ready to do their examines alone (without Mommy-help ). I then started using a similar list based on the 10 commandements myself. It doesn’t have MY sins on it, but a list of possible sins.

I think keeping a journal is a great idea–especially the daily aspect which would help you improve in awareness of your habitual sins and so hopefully not commit them as often. Thanks for the great suggestion!

I don’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 “cheat sheet” 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.

 

[Mrs_Sally]

I must admit I have done this but after giving consideration to my terrible memory, my own resolution was simple “more frequent confession” = 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 !!!

Yeppers! And a double Amen to our awesome God!!

 

[Arelcee]

I grew up in Catholic school and we’ve always been taught that it helps to list everything down. In fact, I remember that during our First Confession (I was 8) – in preparation for First Communion – our teachers checked that we all had our lists; they didn’t read them of course. We were told to be careful with our lists and to not share them with everyone. So I guess, the practice stuck. I don’t always have a list but I do try to make time preparing one.

Anyway, I usually use a guide like this one when I examine my conscience:

catholic-pages.com/penance/examine.asp

Then, I make my list of sins based on it. I list the most serious sins first and those that I’ve committed most frequently.

 

[joe_cool]

This is along the lines of what I do. I had originally made a sheet for my children when they were about 10 or so and ready to do their examines alone (without Mommy-help ). I then started using a similar list based on the 10 commandements myself. It doesn’t have MY sins on it, but a list of possible sins.

I think keeping a journal is a great idea–especially the daily aspect which would help you improve in awareness of your habitual sins and so hopefully not commit them as often. Thanks for the great suggestion!

I don’t keep a journal… but every night in prayer I examine everything I did that day to determine what my sins are… I find this helps me uncover things that I didn’t think much of at the time and discover things that maybe I have a problem with.

 

[dachsiemom2]

I went to confession a year ago, by appointment, for the first time in years and brought a list with me. Actually I made an outline on index cards. The priest said it was OK but the list had to be destroyed before I left his office.

I read somewhere that an application is available - titled iconfess (?) that can be purchased for use with an iphone. One must set a password to access the application.

 

[marleelynn]

It’s okay to write a list … I write my sins so I know what to confess during my monthly spiritual direction meeting with my advisor/confessor. After confession, I either throw away or shred the list.