Did I invalidate my Confession?

[MisterChef]

For a long time I have made half hearted confessions where I sugar coated my sins with ambiguous language. Finally today I pulled no punches and with a contrite heart spit out the sins that had been a burden on me for so long.

I was concerned however as I was leaving the Church. I went to confession with a new priest who didn't know me. I had been to Confessoin the week before, but I told him it had been several months since my last Confession because of my previous ambiguity in Confession, and I wondered if this minor lie to the priest was a bad decison. Also, in my desire to finally stop sugar coating things, I feel that I may have exaggerated a particular sin. Should I go to confession again to clarify or am I fine?

[Brooklyn]

No one seems willing to tackle your question because I don't think we can know for sure. I have a very devout friend who told me she did the same thing when she was young, keeping back a lot of sins when she went to confession. Then she realized how wrong it was and that her soul was actually in danger, and she completely changed. She is now one of the most devout Catholics I know.

You should discuss this matter with the priest the next time you go to confession. Just tell him that you weren't making totally honest confessions for a long time, and you may have gone to the other extreme in your last confession. If you did not commit any mortal sins, your confession should still be valid.

But why torture yourself. Just go see a priest as soon as you can, get it straightened out, and then you can start fresh.

God bless you.

[MisterChef]

Thank you for your advice. This is what I was planning to do, I was just a little worried.

[TheRealJuliane]

Originally Posted by MisterChef

For a long time I have made half hearted confessions where I sugar coated my sins with ambiguous language. Finally today I pulled no punches and with a contrite heart spit out the sins that had been a burden on me for so long.

I was concerned however as I was leaving the Church. I went to confession with a new priest who didn't know me. I had been to Confessoin the week before, but I told him it had been several months since my last Confession because of my previous ambiguity in Confession, and I wondered if this minor lie to the priest was a bad decison. Also, in my desire to finally stop sugar coating things, I feel that I may have exaggerated a particular sin. Should I go to confession again to clarify or am I fine?

I think you may be being scrupulous here. You confessed your true sins, which is not an easy thing to do. You don't have to go confess again. God has already cast your sins as far as the east is from the west. Remember the priest is acting as Jesus, and Jesus loves you even in your sin! You are going for His mercy, not His wrath! Remember the purpose is to keep our souls clean and confess your true sins. Priests have heard it ALL!

[MisterChef]

Yeah, that makes sense.
It was stupid of me to tell him my last confession was months ago instead of last week, but it doesn't change the fact that I confessed my sins (some of which were even mortal) accurately.

[Deo Gratias42]

You should probably discuss this with a priest. It is a grave sin to tell a lie in the confessional.

[MisterChef]

I've decided to discuss this with a priest, he should clear up any worries.