[Steve_Seattle]

"I know I received unworthily in decades past, when I was in my late teens and early 20's. I have repented and may God forgive me. One of these days I've got to make a General (Lifetime) Confession."

Your comments suggest that you have already repented, and are therefore already forgiven, despite your qualms. For the very scrupulous, confession can almost be a curse, because the scrupulous can always remember something they forgot to confess, or didn't confess in the way they deem necessary. Just have confidence in the mercy of God, who wishes to condemn no one.

[steve86]

Mrs. Don-o is correct in that she ought to mention the past unworthy reception(s) in formal confession, as we all would other transgressions that come to mind. It is not necessary to be O-C in one’s appraisal of one’s own confession history, but neither should one deliberately omit sins assuming they have already been forgiven. I was told this by a priest directly. It is quite appropriate to conduct a full lifetime examination of conscience periodically, in case forgotten or repressed sins are uncovered.

None of this asserts that God has not already forgiven the sins, but to miss an opportunity to confess a given sin in the Sacrament of Confession is to forgo the grace associated with forgiving of that sin.