Topic:  What if I forget a sin after I've already confessed?

Source of this posting: Moderator response

Date originally posted: May 19, 2004

Moderator who originally posted this source: Fr. John

Question:  If I went to confession and told the priest all of my sins and after confession I realized that I forgot to tell him that I took the Lord

Answer: 

Dear Melissa,

If by “taking the Lord’s name in vain” you mean using bad or foul language, or using the Lord’s name in some inappropriate fashion, such as in a (not serious) curse, or as an emphasis in some statement, that would not be a mortal sin. Most people’s misuse of God’s name or use of vulgar language would fall into the venial sin category. Nonetheless, we should not be using foul language, nor language disrespectful of Jesus at any time.

So, if you forgot to mention this sin during a particular confession, you could mention it the next time and still receive Holy Communion in the meantime.

Those of us who’ve been blessed with this marvelous gift of speech should always try to express gratitude for this gift by using words that are befitting our Christian vocations and ourselves as temples of God’s Spirit.

Father John