Some post-confession questions.

[L3g3nd]

I went to my first confession last Wednesday at a reconciliation service, and to the best of my ability I recounted all of the sins I could think of. Unfortunately, over the last couple of days, several sins that I had forgotten to mention have come to my attention. I want to go and confess these sins before my confirmation (coming up in a few weeks), but I have a question:

Is it okay for me to write these sins down and take the list with me so that I will be sure not to forget anything? Also, is it a good idea to make an appointment with the priest, so as not to keep anyone waiting during scheduled confession on Saturday (it seems to me that it would be)?

 

[colleen]

I often right down my sins on a piece of paper before going to confession.

 

[a_ntv]

I went to my first confession last Wednesday at a reconciliation service, and to the best of my ability I recounted all of the sins I could think of. Unfortunately, over the last couple of days, several sins that I had forgotten to mention have come to my attention. I want to go and confess these sins before my confirmation (coming up in a few weeks), but I have a question:

Is it okay for me to write these sins down and take the list with me so that I will be sure not to forget anything? Also, is it a good idea to make an appointment with the priest, so as not to keep anyone waiting during scheduled confession on Saturday (it seems to me that it would be)?

Well, the list of sins is important, but it is not something mechanic.

Technically there is a difference:
- any venial sin is forgiven in the confession (as well as receiving the Eucharist), also without listing it. Of course if you decide deliberatly to be silent on some sin, it is different...
- if you do not list a mortal, but in good faith, you can confess it on the next confession.

In general any mortal sin shall be confessed, but if it is ten years you do not confess, you are not required to say the exact number of times you missed the Sunday Mass, but a vague 'many times' is enough

The important point is the good faith in front of God.

 

[Gaudete]

Someone told me that she once had a paper with her sins with her to the confession, but the priest smiled and told her that she didn't need that.
The main thin in confession is to regret one's sins and not deliberatly ignore to confess a sin but if someone honestly forget something (it happens all the time, who can remember all one's sins?) we recieve forgiveness anyway -God is not a bureaucrat, but a loving Father.
You can allways talk to the priest..

Welcome!!!

 

[alkan]

In John Pridmore's book 'Gangland to Promised land', a preist told him one thing which has stuck with me since; something like 'Confess to me all the sins that make you feel guilty'. John, a former thug, with memories of such a sinful past, did this; confessing all those sins for which he felt guilt. He felt far better afterwards. I think this is the model we should use for our confession; to confess all for which we feel guilty in front of the preist. If we have forgotten something (and we're human; we will), we've been to confession in good faith, and if we strive to confess all we can remember, God knows us each well enough to know we have done so in good faith.

 

[cairaiii]

I use a paper sometimes for my sins. I used to have a paper for the Act of Contrition as well.

 

[alkan]

I suspect some preists will be in favour of using paper; but depending on the preists' personality he may in fact think that unnecessary. The main thing is to be comfortable you have confessed all you can and done your best to reconcile yourself to God. God will accept this.

 

[MichaelNZ]

When I went to confession, I often used to write down my sins, after going through the Examination of Conscience in my Missal. I would do it especially if a traditional priest was coming (they gave the best advice).

I haven't been received into the Orthodox Church yet, so I haven't confessed there yet. I still intend to write my sins down, but I don't know what my spiritual father will say.

 

[Sandlapper277]

Don't bother with the appointment, just show up. If you think it will be a long Confession, show up in the earlier part of the hour the Priest is sitting in the Confessional. It won't be a problem for him. And remember that what feels like forever to confess might only take a minute or two, once you get started, sins can just roll off your tongue.