There is a precise indication in the Council of Trent. It clearly states that a Catholic must confess mortal sins by number, if they can remember the number of sins, or at least approximately. If we cannot recall the exact number, we can give an approximation, but it is still required. This is a stipulation the Council of Trent established. Additionally, the specific conditions and circumstances of a mortal sin must also be named in confession. This is another requirement established by the Council of Trent.
Therefore, we cannot simply say, "I have stolen." It is not sufficient. You must specify what was stolen and how much. For example, if you stole $1,000 every week, this is a grave sin. On the other hand, if you stole a small, insignificant item, it might not be considered a mortal sin. Similarly, if you have committed a sin against the Sixth Commandment, simply saying "I sinned against the Sixth Commandment" is not enough. You must specify the circumstances, whether you were married or not, as the nature of the sin changes in those cases. If the sin involved a person of the same sex, it would be a different kind of sin, and this must be noted as well.
The Church requires these details, not to make confession a "torture chamber," as some wrongly claim, but for the spiritual good of the penitent. The goal is deep repentance. The sacrament will be beneficial only when the penitent truly repents. Otherwise, it becomes a superficial performance, like a kind of theater, which is not helpful for the soul. When something is deeply hidden in the soul, when there is insufficient repentance for mortal sins, it is detrimental to the soul.
The Church established these details so that the penitent would repent sincerely. This is for the good of the soul, to help them recognize the seriousness of their sin, to truly repent, and to trust in the mercy of God. The sacrament helps to bring God's great healing graces through the blood of Christ, cleansing you from the sins you can remember, along with their circumstances.
Of course, we should not go into excessive detail. Sometimes the penitent may be too specific when describing their sins, which is unnecessary. It is sufficient to name the number and give a general description of the sins. What is most important in confession is the grace of repentance, a deep, heartfelt repentance, accompanied by faith in God's mercy.
Dear visitors of Gloria Dei and all who have already written or who will write a personal message to me. I am grateful for your attention, your kindness, for your spiritual support and especially for your sacrifices and prayers for me. God may reward you!
