Afraid of confession.

[-Shar-]

Hi everyone.

I'm fairly new to CF so I thought I'd just introduce myself. My name is Sharon, I'm 16 and I'm from Ireland. I was baptized a Catholic as an infant and was quite devout up until a year or two ago. Then I started doing wrong stuff, like lying, taking the name of our Lord in vain, straying to other religions etc.

I have turned away from all those things and am truly sorry for them. I have prayed to God an uncountable amount of times asking for forgiveness for my sins. Am I forgiven?
I do know I am supposed to go to confession but somehow I can't bring myself to do it. I fear judgement by the priest and I fear telling him that I strayed to different religions. I had an ideal opportunity to go to confession yesterday but while I was asking God to give me the courage to go into the confession box and tell all my sins, confessions ended. I had been too slow and when the priest asked if there was anyone else left to go I didn't say a word.

 

[PeterPaul]

Shar, I lived in your great country for a time and loved it. I think it is wonderful to have such a Catholic presence, that even my country today doesn't have.

I've been to confession (love the Cathedral in Galway) and I think it is normal to feel the way you do because you feel you have offended God. But, always remember, God will forgive, and give the priest a little credit in that he wants you to do right by God with true repentance.

Think about how marvelous the Act of Contrition really is, and how beautiful it has been renamed : The Act of Reconciliation. Truely, you wish to reconcile your errors with God. Remember, Confession is God's therapy!

Its a gift!

 

[Christy4Christ]

I don't think you have to be worried about your Priest. If he is a good priest he will not condemn you, he will be happy to have you back. It sounds like for your own peace of mind, you need to go to confession. God speaks to us through our conscience. It seems like He must be speaking to you about going to confession or you wouldn't have come here with your questions. Don't be afraid trust in God. Once you go to confession and deal with your fear, you will feel a lot better! I for one welcome you back to The Church! I am so happy you've come home I came home myself not too long ago. It is never too late for us.


God Bless you!

 

[Christy4Christ]

Actually after looking closer I am wondering why you don't have a Catholic icon?

 

[PeterPaul]

Shar- as a formerly devout Catholic, you do understand confession, correct?

 

[Christy4Christ]

I'm sorry a few minutes ago I thought you didn't have a Catholic icon...

 

[Rosa Mystica]

Shar, try to relax about this. The sins you need to confess can't possibly be worse than mine.

 

[Rosa Mystica]

I'm sorry a few minutes ago I thought you didn't have a Catholic icon...

She just changed it.

 

[-Shar-]

I don't think you have to be worried about your Priest. If he is a good priest he will not condemn you, he will be happy to have you back. It sounds like for your own peace of mind, you need to go to confession. God speaks to us through our conscience. It seems like He must be speaking to you about going to confession or you wouldn't have come here with your questions. Don't be afraid trust in God. Once you go to confession and deal with your fear, you will feel a lot better! I for one welcome you back to The Church! I am so happy you've come home I came home myself not too long ago. It is never too late for us.


God Bless you!

Yes I do think God is speaking to me through my conscience. I was at the Church yesterday after Mass and when the priest announced he was doing confession afterwards I felt a strong presence. Then the priest asked us to pray for the courage to confess our sins and I prayed and I was filled with such strength and courage to do so. But then when it came down to it I lost my nerve as I have explained already.

Thank you for your words. I don't believe my parish priest will condemn me, but I feel as though everytime he will see me he will remember I strayed to other religions. I really doubt anyone else around this area has done so and if they have I doubt they have confessed it.

Also the reason I didn't have a Catholic icon was simply because I didn't see it in the list so chose Christian. Thanks for letting me know there is one.

 

[-Shar-]

She just changed it.

Yeah I did. I didn't realise there was one before.

 

[-Shar-]

Shar- as a formerly devout Catholic, you do understand confession, correct?

Yes I do.
Thanks for your help in your post prior to this.

 

[Christy4Christ]

Priests in Ireland do confession after the Mass? I have always seen the Priest do confession here before hand thats very interesting

 

[fingerprint]

I've seen confession done both before and after Mass in various Catholic churches across America. I don't think there is any hard and fast rule from the Church about this is there?

 

[PeterPaul]

I think you are wrong. I went to Mass in Ireland and a priest would never take confessions after. It was always before the Mass as we consume the Eucharist after we have been absolved of our sins, not after.

 

[Christy4Christ]

Eucharist is consumed during the Mass and one must be pure to accept it after absolution of sins through confession. For this reason I feel it is done before hand...

 

[fingerprint]

When I went to Mass with my father growing up near Dallas it was always after. It does make more sense to do it before I admit, you are supposed to be cleansed of sin before attending Mass and taking part in the Eucharist. It doesn't seem right to take the body and blood of Christ without confessing your sins first.

 

[Christy4Christ]

Maybe that was an instance where confession was being done between Masses??

 

[-Shar-]

I think you are wrong. I went to Mass in Ireland and a priest would never take confessions after. It was always before the Mass as we consume the Eucharist after we have been absolved of our sins, not after.

Well sorry but all I know is this priest did it after. He sometimes does it befrore and sometimes after. I didn't think it mattered. I hope you don't think I'm lying.
Also we didn't get the Eucharist during this Mass...it was a school Mass with the sole purpose of preparing for confession. I don't know if it is correct to call it Mass if we didn't recieve the Eucharist, please someone fill me in on that?

EDITED: Also sometimes after Masses (in which we have recieved the Eucharist) we still have confession afterwards. Sometimes before, sometimes after. I do understand why it would be more correct to have it before hand.

Thanks.

 

[Christy4Christ]

This is out of my realm of capabilities as I have never seen a Mass of any kind taking place without the Eucharist. Someone else will have to explain this one...

 

[Christy4Christ]

Did you take communion at this Mass?