| Question Title | Posted By | Question Date |
|---|---|---|
| Confession | Maria | Wednesday, January 26, 2005 |
Question: Dear Brother Ignatius Mary, I am going to go to confession for the first time in about 2 years. I have found a really good examination of conscience guideline on the internet that has really helped in the preperation process. however, sometimes, when I see some of the little points under each commandment, I cannot for the life of me remember whether or not I have carried out that particular mortal sin. For instance, on of them says "Willfully harboring hatred for another". I don't know if I have done that but I don't know if I have. I am worried that I will a) confess a sin that I have not committed or b) not confess a sin that I have committed. How does one go about discovering the sins that are on one's conscience without encountering doubtful thoughts? Thanks, Maria |
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| Question Answered by Bro. Ignatius Mary, OLSM
Dear Maria: All you can do is to confess the sins you can remember and that God may bring to your memory. The standard method of confession to cover sins that you have forgotten is to end you list of sins with something like... "for these and all sins that I do not now remember, I am heartedly sorry and seek forgiveness..." If, at a later date, you remember some forgotten sin, then you can bring that up at your next confession, but you need not worry. When the priest give absolution you are forgiven of all the sins you confessed and all the sins that you honestly forgot. So examine yourself for what you remember and confess those, adding the phrase above, and you will be fine. God Bless, Footer Notes: This forum is for general questions on the faith. See specific Topic Forums below: Spiritual Warfare, demons, the occult go to our Spiritul Warfare Q&S Forum. Liturgy Questions go to our Liturgy and Liturgical Law Q&A Forum Liturgy of the Hours (Divine Office) Questions go to our Divine Office Q&A Forum Defenfing the Faith Questions go to our Defending the Faith Q&A Forum Church History Questions go to our Church History Q&A Forum
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