>>12708891All confessed sins are forgiven so long as there is some imperfect contrition. To continue in mortal sin is a sign of lack of contrition, but it is possible to have imperfect contrition and continue some habitual venial sin. Most people who pursue a devout life pass through a phase of this, which can last a long time; we all have predominant faults, and we are more likely to fall into sins of that kind than into sin in areas where we are stronger. An impatient person will habitually fall into impatience, even if they are working hard against it. They still ought to continue to confess it, and it is not right to say that it was not forgiven. To my understand--and please correct me if I am wrong--a priest will typically only refuse absolution to someone who persists in mortal sin. For venial sin--since it need not be confessed--the mere confessing of it is considered a sign of at least some contrition. The person who continues in some habitual venial sin and feels no contrition will rarely feel any compunction to go to confession in the first place.
>>12708889Since this is anonymous, would you mind sharing the sin? There is no sin which is too small to be worth the Priest's time, and if it is a serious sin, it is one of the most valuable uses of his time to hear your confession. If he is a remotely good priest, he will know that the hearing if confessions and granting of absolution is one of the greatest privelaged, honors, and duties of his office. Absolution is the dispensing of Christ's redeeming blood. The work of confession is the work of humility, and as humility is the handmaiden of all the virtues, it is humility first and foremost which a priest ought to desire to teach, and which a man ought to desire to learn. If you struggle with this sin, and it bothers you that you keep repeating it, that is evidence that your conscience is improving and you are growing more sensitive to your sin. Do you know an Act of Charity?
