Confessing forgotten sins

[EcceNovaFacioOmni]

I know that when a sin is honestly forgotten before confession, it is still forgiven but must be confessed at the next confession. Some questions:
1. Do you have to make a special trip to confess these once-forgotten sins or can you just wait until the next time you commit mortal sin?
2. Is it sufficient just to say "I forgot to mention a sin in my last confession" or must you be specific? On a related note, how specific must you be in confession? Can you say "I've had bad thoughts" or must you say what was in those thoughts?

Thank you!

[cappie]

Forgotten sins are always forgiven....here the common ending to a confession is.."...for these and all the sins which I cannot now remember I ask pardon, penance and absolution from you reverend father."

However if some sins from the past bother you then you can mention them at the next confession, but you have to be careful of scruples and not allowing God to be God as though you are not convinced he will forgive.

You should answer the priest if he asks you to be specific or questions you. He is the judge of how much you info you should give.

[Theologian in Training]

As a newbie to the whole confession thing I wanted to address your second question about specificity. Usually, if your specific enough, though being vague, it is not that hard to understand what you are talking about. However, in your example you asked if "I had bad thoughts" would be sufficient, but that is a little too vague because it is not necessarily clear if you are talking about impure thoughts or bad thoughts towards others, yourself, etc. I know it seems like splitting hairs, but the difference is between addressing impure thoughts or violent thoughts.

Just my take on the whole thing as a newly ordained priest.

God Bless