diff --git a/bindings/python/gnucash_core.py b/bindings/python/gnucash_core.py
index 5dbf683837..fa116b1d7d 100644
--- a/bindings/python/gnucash_core.py
+++ b/bindings/python/gnucash_core.py
@@ -48,6 +48,12 @@ from gnucash.gnucash_core_c import gncInvoiceLookup, gncInvoiceGetInvoiceFromTxn
     gnc_numeric_create, double_to_gnc_numeric, string_to_gnc_numeric, \
     gnc_numeric_to_string
 
+from gnucash.deprecation import (
+    deprecated_args_session,
+    deprecated_args_session_init,
+    deprecated_args_session_begin
+)
+
 try:
     import gettext
 
@@ -148,44 +154,75 @@ class Session(GnuCashCoreClass):
     Invoice..) is associated with a particular book where it is stored.
     """
 
-    def __init__(self, book_uri=None, ignore_lock=False, is_new=False,
-                 force_new=False, instance=None):
-        """A convenient constructor that allows you to specify a book URI,
+    @deprecated_args_session_init
+    def __init__(self, book_uri=None, mode=None, instance=None, book=None):
+        """!
+        A convenient constructor that allows you to specify a book URI,
         begin the session, and load the book.
 
         This can give you the power of calling
         qof_session_new, qof_session_begin, and qof_session_load all in one!
 
-        book_uri can be None to skip the calls to qof_session_begin and
-        qof_session_load, or it can be a string like "file:/test.xac"
-
-        qof_session_load is only called if is_new is set to False
-
-        is_new is passed to qof_session_begin as the argument create,
-        and force_new as the argument force. Is_new will create a new
-        database or file; force will force creation even if it will
-        destroy an existing dataset.
+        qof_session_load is only called if url scheme is "xml" and
+        mode is SESSION_NEW_STORE or SESSION_NEW_OVERWRITE
 
-        ignore_lock is passed to qof_session_begin's argument of the
-        same name and is used to break an existing lock on a dataset.
+        @param book_uri must be a string in the form of a URI/URL. The access
+        method specified depends on the loaded backends. Paths may be relative
+        or absolute.  If the path is relative, that is if the argument is
+        "file://somefile.xml", then the current working directory is
+        assumed. Customized backends can choose to search other
+        application-specific directories or URI schemes as well.
+        It be None to skip the calls to qof_session_begin and
+        qof_session_load.
 
-        instance argument can be passed if new Session is used as a
+        @param instance argument can be passed if new Session is used as a
         wrapper for an existing session instance
 
-
-        This function can raise a GnuCashBackendException. If it does,
+        @param mode The SessionOpenMode.
+        @note SessionOpenMode replaces deprecated ignore_lock, is_new and force_new.
+
+        @par SessionOpenMode
+        `SESSION_NORMAL`: Find an existing file or database at the provided uri and
+        open it if it is unlocked. If it is locked post a QOF_BACKEND_LOCKED error.
+        @par
+        `SESSION_NEW_STORE`: Check for an existing file or database at the provided
+        uri and if none is found, create it. If the file or database exists post a
+        QOF_BACKED_STORE_EXISTS and return.
+        @par
+        `SESSION_READ_ONLY`: Find an existing file or database and open it without
+        disturbing the lock if it exists or setting one if not. This will also set a
+        flag on the book that will prevent many elements from being edited and will
+        prevent the backend from saving any edits.
+        @par
+        `SESSION_OVERWRITE`: Create a new file or database at the provided uri,
+        deleting any existing file or database.
+        @par
+        `SESSION_BREAK_LOCK`: Find an existing file or database, lock it, and open
+        it. If there is already a lock replace it with a new one for this session.
+
+        @par Errors
+        qof_session_begin() signals failure by queuing errors. After it completes use
+        qof_session_get_error() and test that the value is `ERROR_BACKEND_NONE` to
+        determine that the session began successfully.
+
+        @exception as begin() and load() are wrapped with raise_backend_errors_after_call()
+        this function can raise a GnuCashBackendException. If it does,
         you don't need to cleanup and call end() and destroy(), that is handled
         for you, and the exception is raised.
         """
         GnuCashCoreClass.__init__(self, Book())
+
         if book_uri is not None:
             try:
-                self.begin(book_uri, ignore_lock, is_new, force_new)
+                if mode is None:
+                    mode = SessionOpenMode.SESSION_NORMAL_OPEN
+                self.begin(book_uri, mode)
                 # Take care of backend inconsistency
                 # New xml file can't be loaded, new sql store
                 # has to be loaded before it can be altered
                 # Any existing store obviously has to be loaded
                 # More background: https://bugs.gnucash.org/show_bug.cgi?id=726891
+                is_new = mode in (SessionOpenMode.SESSION_NEW_STORE, SessionOpenMode.SESSION_NEW_OVERWRITE)
                 if book_uri[:3] != "xml" or not is_new:
                     self.load()
             except GnuCashBackendException as backend_exception:
@@ -585,6 +622,7 @@ Session.decorate_functions(one_arg_default_none, "load", "save")
 
 Session.decorate_functions( Session.raise_backend_errors_after_call,
                             "begin", "load", "save", "end")
+Session.decorate_functions(deprecated_args_session_begin, "begin")
 Session.get_book = method_function_returns_instance(
     Session.get_book, Book )