Afraid of confession.

[-Shar-]

ShannonMcMorland-Thanks a million. You have just answered all of my questions in your one post.

I still am a bit afraid, or should I say nervous, about confession but I will find out when it is next on, pray to God for strength and I will go through with it.

Thank you to everyone whom has replied, I appreciate it.

 

[PeterPaul]

Shar Welcome! Sorry I didn't say that as well. I lived in County Clare, specifically in Shannon and worked in Shannon Industrial park. I've been all over, and love Cty Clare!

 

[eBeth]

During the Penetential Rite (Lord, Have Mercy, Christ, Have Mecry, etc) all venial sins are forgiven. Therefore we do not need to go to confession before every Mass, as our venial sins are forgiven as part of the Mass. This is different for mortal sins--- we must confess our mortal sins before receiving the Eucharist-- but we may still attend Mass, make an act of perfect contrition, and make a spiritual communion.

This may sound like a dumb question, but here goes anyway.

Can you know if you have made an act of perfect contrition? I know the difference between contrition (sorrow for having offended God), and attrition (fear of eternal punishment). Can you make an act of perfect contrition AND still fear eternal punishment? Or is just one or the other? This has always bothered me as not only am I ashamed of offending God, but also fear losing Heaven.

 

[ShannonMcCatholic]

I still am a bit afraid, or should I say nervous, about confession but I will find out when it is next on, pray to God for strength and I will go through with it.

You can usually just call or ask in the office to make an appointment for the priest to hear your confession!! If you are able to-- make the time-- the longer you put it off the more tormented you'll be! I'll ash our Blessed Mother to make the path easy for youas you "boldly approach the throne of Grace"!!!

 

[colleen]

Go! I had almost the same issues you did, but it had been nine years since my last confession. It was when I was studying abroad in Ireland (yeah cork!) that I really felt it in my heart to go to confession. Unfortunately, I kept letting my doubts, pride, and fear keep me from going to confession for two more years. I finally walked up to my parish holding my rosary and whispering to myself that God was stronger than the devil. Confession was amazing, and God's grace came pouring down on me. My faith is stronger as well as my connection with God, because my sin is no longer a wall between us.

Also I read on this board that priest's rehearse hearing diffirent sins. I don't know whether it is true or not, but it was a relief to me. God bless you on your journey.
in his name,
Colleen

 

[ShannonMcCatholic]

Also I read on this board that priest's rehearse hearing diffirent sins. I don't know whether it is true or not, but it was a relief to me.

It's true! My brother is a priest-- and that's how I found out about how they are trained for hearing confessions!

 

[surferjeff]

i never have confessed is it hard?

 

[ShannonMcCatholic]

Can you know if you have made an act of perfect contrition? I know the difference between contrition (sorrow for having offended God), and attrition (fear of eternal punishment). Can you make an act of perfect contrition AND still fear eternal punishment? Or is just one or the other? This has always bothered me as not only am I ashamed of offending God, but also fear losing Heaven.

When is our contrition perfect?Our contrition is perfect when we are sorry for our sins because sin offends God, whom we love above all things for His own sake.

When is our contrition imperfect?Our contrition is imperfect when we are sorry for our sins because they are hateful in themselves or because we fear God's punishment.

To receive the sacrament of Penance worthily, what kind of contrition is sufficient?To receive the sacrament of Penance worthily, imperfect contrition is sufficient.

Should we always try to have perfect contrition in the sacrament of Penance? We should always try to have perfect contrition in the sacrament of Penance because perfect contrition is more pleasing to God, and because with His help we can always have it.

Thinking about the Passion is the best way to acquire perfect contrition.


(From the New St. Joseph Baltimre Catechism)

 

[Abba]

Confession can or cannot be hard depending on how much you have sinned and how much you feel guilty about it. A good confessor should try to make you feel sorry by explaining why your actions are wrong and how it offends God because if you are sorry you sinned and feel ashamed towards God then you will probably think twice about doing that sin in the future. If its your first time then it can be very ######### my first time I was so ashamed that I diddnt tell all the sins I did. If you do that then its not worth going to confession anyways. Read the ten commandments before going to confession, and do the stations of the cross. Realize that you are a sinner and you need God's help. Everyone needs confession, whether they admit it or not.
Also consider that if you dont confess any mortal sins, and if you had a heart attack and died after leaving confession, you would have to go to hell for eternity.
Make weekly confession, which will greatly reduce your tendency to sin. The first confession after a while is hard because of feelings of guilt and shame.

I go to confession weekly because they have it at my high school. It feels good to go to confession and be reassured your sins are forgiven.