September 4, 2022, 12:00 PM

When people confess their sins in the Sacrament of Penance, they are forgiven from all the sins they have committed since the last time they participated in the Sacrament of Penance. Since it is not possible to remember every single venial sin, it is sufficient to confess non-mortal sins in a general way. This could be statements such as, I am guilty of gossip, or of anger, or of inattentiveness in Mass or personal prayer. Penitents are required to specifically state all mortal sins in kind and number. This could include saying, “I committed the mortal sin of looking at pornography three times.” Or, “I have had intimate relations with a person other than my spouse.” If a person fails to mention a mortal sin, as long as it was not intentional, the Sacrament of Penance is valid. When a person recalls they forgot to include a mortal sin, they should confess it as soon as possible. In cases where a person commits a mortal sin and intentionally fails or refuses to confess it to the Priest in the Sacrament of Penance, the confession is invalid and absolution is not granted. This affects all subsequent confessions until the problem is resolved by the person confessing the mortal sin(s) committed in kind and number. To be clear, our memories fail us at times. It is only when people refuse to confess mortal sins they know they have committed, that the confessions are invalid. In cases of recovered memory, penitents need to bring their sins to the Sacrament of Penance. Remember, God already knows our sins. Now you know!