Do We Have to Confess Past Sins That We Suddenly Remember? - Ask a Marian

What happens if we have been to confession and then later realize that we forgot to confess a particular sin? Is it still forgiven? What do we need to do? Fr. Ken Dos Santos, MIC gives the answer.

[laurbird]

It’s been since I was in 8th grade maybe since my last confession and I am 28 now. It’s been awhile. I’m going tomorrow. 🙏🏻

[debb]

Father, I prayed for this exact guidance last night, as it has been about 38 yrs since my last confession, and I'd like to return to our church and receive the Eucharist. I'd also like to be confirmed. So, as I was opening up Youtube just now, I asked our Father to put some guidance in front of me, (because thinking about how to confess after so long feels overwhelming)! I've confessed privately to our Father, but not with a priest present. So just now as I opened Youtube and prayed for guidance... there was your video in my video feed. Doesn't surprise me. Thank you so much for this! Sincerely, Deb Byrne

[sgc]

Would add one additional step is to say a prayer or prayers for the Priestr who will be hearing your confession.

[lilygiordano]

I was just asking God about inadvertently leaving out a sin during confession, and He sent me your beautiful video. Thank you so much!!! 🙏🙏🙏

[eiffeltower]

The sacrament of Reconciliation is a healing balm to the soul. Let us all take advantage of this sacrament.

[Angelalex]

Confess anything you randomly remember. It's kind of like cleaning the gutters out on your house. You might have so much...gunk in your gutter...that your first attempt to clean it out might not be work. You might have to confess over and over again to get all the gunk out that water may flow swiftly through the gutter.

[lourdesmaldonado]

I've just started the habit of writing down sins, when you write them down you see them and reflect on them more I believe plus you not under pressure when in confession

[maryannmcrae]

When I remember a pass sin I confess it.I believe my soul reminds me of it for a reason
Praying for ALL GOD'S CHILDREN 🙏 ❤

[ChristianSaintSavior]

Confess every sin. Don't hold back. If you remember an old sin after you leave, confess it the next time you go for the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

[lovetruth]

Confess all sins, ever one of them.
Thanks be to GOD.💖

[carync]

I had been away from church over 30 years. I started going to confession. I later did a general confession which is recommended. I sat and examined my conscious & wrote down all my sins & how many times they happened. I made an appointment with a priest. I had close to 3 pages. I found that they don't give penance like they used to. I said that's it. They now give one Our Father & 1 Hail Mary . I felt this wasn't enough. Eventually I said Father that's it? I feel I deserve more. I felt so much better really sitting and acknowledging all my sins. Although I still struggle with 1 or 2 sins I keep getting up & trying. The general was hard, but God already knows our sins. I was cringing, but I did it. God bless you all.

[amarinarios]

Thank you father that answer one of question as I am coming back to church

[maureen]

This has happened to me a few times and felt prompted by the Holy Spirit to take them to confession. I felt so at peace after each confession and have grown in my faith.

[nemodor]

A very good practice is to do it in a confessional. First, the faithful have the right to confess in an anonymous way, and second, it prevents the occasion for intimacy, thus protecting both the priest and the faithful.

[bobwilliams]

I always say after confessing what I remember, "for these and all my sins of thought, word and deed father, I am sorry".

[johnpglackin]

Yes, you do need to confess those sins.

[MariejunGodinez]

And also for the sins of emission. I always say at the last part "and for all the things that I should've done but I was not able to do it." for example, giving to the poor, helping people in need

[NRM]

Thank you, Fr. Ken. It's good to see and hear more of the Marian fathers teaching us God's ways through an explanation of the sacrament of reconciliation. God bless you, Fr. Ken.

[novyespinosa]

Thank you Fr. for your teaching. Thank you for the gift of Church 💒, for the Sacraments. 💖💖💖

[catlady]

Something I'd recommend is before confession maybe write down a list of the sins you committed to take with you so you don't forget