Confession

[EcceNovaFacioOmni]

What information must be supplied with confessed sins? What if the penitent cannot remember how many times they commited a certain sin?

[cappie]

From Canon Law:

Can. 987 In order that the faithful may receive the saving remedy of the sacrament of penance, they must be so disposed that, repudiating the sins they have committed and having the purpose of amending their lives, they turn back to God.

Can. 988 §1 The faithful are bound to confess, in kind and in number, all grave sins committed after baptism, of which after careful examination of conscience they are aware, which have not yet been directly pardoned by the keys of the Church, and which have not been confessed in an individual confession.

§2 The faithful are recommended to confess also venial sins.


Pastorally I think Canon 987 is the more relevant. I would help the penitent to try to remember the king and number of grave sins but if not the really important thing i to have sorrow and a firm purpose of admendment. For me that is the most important.