Confession Question

[OnlySunshine]

I'm thinking about going to Confession every two weeks again. I was going every month, but I really like going every two weeks since it keeps me on the right track. The problem is, if I went today, I don't know what I would confess because I haven't committed any mortal sin since my last Confession, and I have been making a conscious effort to abstain from venial sin as well. What would someone confess if they didn't have any sins to remember?

[TeresaBenedicta]

Well, the sacrament of penance is the confession of sins... and if one hasn't any sins to confess... it would seem silly to go. That being said, [i]everyone[/i] commits sin on a daily basis. The difficult part is remembering and/or recognizing those sins.

I have a hard time of remembering my sins as well. I'm not sure why it's such a struggle for me, but it's as though the minute I get ready to prepare for confession, everything slips my mind. And the worst part is that I [i]know I'm a huge sinner![/i]

To that point... I'd recommend keeping a small, private notebook. At the end of the night when you practice your examen, write things down. (You should practice a nightly examen ) That will help a lot.

But frequent confession is also a tool to really take a pointed effort at casting out vice and growing in virtue. This means learning to recognize your root sin and in what ways it manifests itself... probably in some ways that don't automatically catch your attention. Some sin is so rooted in our daily action that we ourselves don't even recognize that we're doing it. (Think of someone who struggles with gossip, for example. Or a compulsive liar. On larger scale things, they'd certainly recognize what they're doing, and if they're striving for perfection, recognize it as sin. But there will be many, smaller instances, that they won't recognize that they're gossiping or lying, simply because that behavior has become so ingrained in their daily life.) The goal is to uproot even those sins.

It might also be helpful to examine yourself in terms of sins of omission-- those are often the ones we miss the most. And sometimes switching examinations of consciences also helps broaden our knowledge of self.

All that said... it's great that you are seeking out more frequent confession! There are many graces gained in the sacrament. Although I would caution one to keep a look-out for scruples. There is a healthy way of recognizing our sinfulness and there is an unhealthy way.

God bless you, MM! Now to get me to confession...

[Chamomile]

Frequent Confession has so many benefits, and I think every two weeks is a good time frame, so Mater!

I've encountered this issue, too. It recently came up when I felt I should go and didn't because I didn't have anything major to confess. But it seems that was a mistake not to go, and God really does give us these desires to approach the Sacrament of Mercy often because we need it, and He has special graces He wants to give to us through it.

[quote name='TeresaBenedicta' timestamp='1298743128' post='2215800']
It might also be helpful to examine yourself in terms of sins of omission-- those are often the ones we miss the most. And sometimes switching examinations of consciences also helps broaden our knowledge of self.
[/quote]

This is really good advice. I know that I may [i]feel[/i] I don't have anything major to confess, but when I sit down and seriously do an examination of conscience, especially in a different format than I'm used to, I find all sorts of things to confess You seem very holy already - and no offense - but it would be quite amazing if someone had been absolutely perfect for two weeks. I think the Bible says something like, "The righteous man falls seven times." At the least, I always fail to love others as much as I should. There are patterns in my sinning, and even though it gets redundant to both me and the priest, perseverance and grace will overcome those faults.

God bless!

[OnlySunshine]

When I really think about it, I think the only thing I've really struggled with lately is impatience, especially when I'm driving. I really don't like driving very much and being behind someone who is not paying attention, is on their cell phone, turning without their blinker on, etc can upset me to the point where I start getting angry and, even though they can't hear me, I start cussing and using bad names. I've confessed it before, but the priests seem to not make such a big deal out if it, so I didn't know if it was something I should continue to confess, but I knew it was something that I needed to work on.

Sadly, I didn't make it to Confession on Saturday because I went shopping with my mom and she was getting her hair cut around the same time as Confession. I am planning to go this next Saturday (3/5). I used the Examination of Conscience that is based on the 10 Commandments, and the only thing I could find that I really was having issues with was impatience, as I mentioned previously. I will see if I can locate a different one, or use one that is posted as a sticky on this board by Lil Red.

Thanks again gals. I really appreciate the help.

[Santa Cruz]

[quote name='TeresaBenedicta' timestamp='1298743128' post='2215800']
Well, the sacrament of penance is the confession of sins... and if one hasn't any sins to confess... it would seem silly to go. That being said, [i]everyone[/i] commits sin on a daily basis. The difficult part is remembering and/or recognizing those sins.

I have a hard time of remembering my sins as well. I'm not sure why it's such a struggle for me, but it's as though the minute I get ready to prepare for confession, everything slips my mind. And the worst part is that I [i]know I'm a huge sinner![/i]

To that point... I'd recommend keeping a small, private notebook. At the end of the night when you practice your examen, write things down. (You should practice a nightly examen ) That will help a lot.

But frequent confession is also a tool to really take a pointed effort at casting out vice and growing in virtue. This means learning to recognize your root sin and in what ways it manifests itself... probably in some ways that don't automatically catch your attention. Some sin is so rooted in our daily action that we ourselves don't even recognize that we're doing it. (Think of someone who struggles with gossip, for example. Or a compulsive liar. On larger scale things, they'd certainly recognize what they're doing, and if they're striving for perfection, recognize it as sin. But there will be many, smaller instances, that they won't recognize that they're gossiping or lying, simply because that behavior has become so ingrained in their daily life.) The goal is to uproot even those sins.

It might also be helpful to examine yourself in terms of sins of omission-- those are often the ones we miss the most. And sometimes switching examinations of consciences also helps broaden our knowledge of self.

All that said... it's great that you are seeking out more frequent confession! There are many graces gained in the sacrament. Although I would caution one to keep a look-out for scruples. There is a healthy way of recognizing our sinfulness and there is an unhealthy way.

God bless you, MM! Now to get me to confession...
[/quote]

TB shared some great stuff here. I also find it helpful to pray, specifically asking the Holy Spirit to help me to see my sins and faults, and to purify my heart. I often pray with an "examination of conscience". Someone did an excellent job posting one here with varying forms. I cannot find the post right now of course but I downloaded the information so can send it to you if you want It is the best and most complete I have seen. And, when I get those times of inner blindness, I find that meditating upon the Passion and upon parts of Scripture that speak of hell really helps to open my eyes to my own sins in the light of God's Mercy. Also, within Confession, you can mention past sins already confessed and mention graces received. Finally, going through a period of preparation and then making a general confession of my entire life has also helped me to see my root sin and how venial sins, unholy habits can wreak havoc. Also, more importantly, in making a general Confession, healing and grace is received. As far as the scruples, your Confessor should let you know if you are getting into that territory and will help you to form a healthy conscience.

Thank God for the Sacrament of Confession and for His Saving Love!

And thank you for sharing MM!

[cmaD2006]

I used to make it a point to pray the night before I was planning to confess, and writing down the sins.

Santa Cruz is right -- a good confessor/spiritual director (who is a priest of course) can help form a good conscience especially if scruplilocity pops up.

A general confession is a great exercise to do at least once ... and one good moment would be while on an 8 day retreat.

There are times where there's no need to sit and pray in order to know your sinfulness. There are times where you *know* what your weaknesses are and are quite aware of how you keep falling in the same (venial hopefully) sin.

Finally if you are *stuck* and can't see your sinfulness, and you have a spiritual director that's when you can ask for his/her help. Sometimes a s.d. can see things that we cannot yet. A confessor can help as well -- just ask him to help you with the confession.