Confession

[CountryMom]

It's been many years since my last confession. I think of it as my 1st confession as a adult. My heart it is longing for this and i'm a little scared. The big day is saturday and was wondering if someone could remind me of what to expect.

Also, is it silly to even think of taking a list? I know I'll get in there and forget half of them.

Thanks.

 

[Dream]

I'm need to go to Confession after school today.

Basically, you enter into the Confessional, you tell the Priest your sins, he might give you a little counseling, you pray an act of contrition, he absolves you from your sins, gives you a penance, then your done. Just don't forget to do the penance.

 

[ZooMom]

DT, pretty much nailed the process. So, I'll just add that it's perfectly ok to take a list, especially if you haven't made use of the Sacrament in a long time. No-one's going to look at you funny. God bless you for taking this step.

Peace be with you!

Sandy

 

[CountryMom]

Tell me the act of contrition is still on a little card in the Confessional? I may call the priest and move it up to tomorrow so I can start lent with a clean slate.

Thanks!

 

[Dream]

Tell me the act of contrition is still on a little card in the Confessional?

Not for me. It might be at your Church.

I don't think you really have to memorize the Act of Contrition. I think that a prayer where you simply say you detest your sins and resolve to stay away from sins will be sufficient.

 

[ZooMom]

It is at my parish, but if not, just tell the priest that you need a little help and he will gladly lead you through it. Or just memorize this:

O my God,
I am heartily sorry for
having offended Thee,
and I detest all my sins,
because I dread the loss of heaven,
and the pains of hell;
but most of all because
they offend Thee, my God,
Who are all good and
deserving of all my love.
I firmly resolve,
with the help of Thy grace,
to confess my sins,
to do penance,
and to amend my life.
Amen.

 

[ThereseOfLisieux]

I just went to confession last Friday for the first time in many years. I made an appointment, because of my schedule, and because that way I wasn't in a hurry to let others go. When you go in tell the priest how long it has been, and ask him to help you, you can even tell him that you are nurvous if you like. I don't know about the list, but remember, if you forget something it is still forgiven. After going I realised that the most important things are the sins that you struggle with now. The priest can often council you on how to avoid such things.

I felt nervous going in, I relaxed a few minutes into it, and receiveing absolution for the first time in so long was absolutely wonderful. God truly works through the Sacraments.

God Bless You.

Therese

 

[CountryMom]

It is at my parish, but if not, just tell the priest that you need a little help and he will gladly lead you through it. Or just memorize this:

O my God,
I am heartily sorry for
having offended Thee,
and I detest all my sins,
because I dread the loss of heaven,
and the pains of hell;
but most of all because
they offend Thee, my God,
Who are all good and
deserving of all my love.
I firmly resolve,
with the help of Thy grace,
to confess my sins,
to do penance,
and to amend my life.
Amen.

Ah I remember now! THanks!

 

[CountryMom]

I just went to confesion last Friday for the first time in many years. I made an appointment, because of my schedule, and because that way I wasn't in a hurry to let others go. When you go in tell the priest how long it has been, and ask him to help you, you can even tell him that you are nurvous if you like. I don't know about the list, but remember, if you forget something it is still forgiven. After going I realised that the most important things are the sins that you struggle with now. The priest can often council you on how to avoid such things.

I felt nervous going in, I relaxed a few minutes into it, and receiveing absolution for the first time in so long was absolutely wonderful. God truly works through the Sacraments.

God Bless You.

Therese

Thank you for sharing. That gives me comfort to know I'm not alone!

 

[Dream]

I attend Confession on a semi-regular basis now, but I still get nervous every time. I think probablly because I just keep confessing the same sin, so I get worried that the Priest might snap and say "How many times are going to do that!? Why don't you just stop!?" (I know he would never say that, but I imagine he's getting rather frustarated with me.)

 

[Epiphanygirl]

Thank you for sharing. That gives me comfort to know I'm not alone!

Far from alone! I applaud your effort to go, as so many seem to have fallen away from the practice at one time or another...as long as they return though It is normal to be nervous, especially if you haven't gone in a while, please know that your priest will understand this, he will comfort your anxiety over this, just tell him, he will understand! You are going to feel so much better once you have gone, and will be ready to start the Lenten season afresh!

 

[plainswolf]

It's been many years since my last confession. I think of it as my 1st confession as a adult. My heart it is longing for this and i'm a little scared. The big day is saturday and was wondering if someone could remind me of what to expect.

Also, is it silly to even think of taking a list? I know I'll get in there and forget half of them.

Thanks.

I was in the same particular situation last year. And I was even nervous going to Confession for the first time in many years. I bought a little book from TAN books that helped me out alot. It's called: "Confession; A Little Book For The Reluctant". By Msgr. Louis Gaston De Segur. It is a very short book in which he answers 33 common, and even not so common reasons/objections we may have for not going to Confession..etc..which I will quote very briefly from the first parts of the answers. http://www.tanbooks.com/index.php/page/shop:flypage/product_id/229/category_id/48/

Question #29: I COULD NEVER REMEMBER ALL MY SINS.
"What matter? Repent sincerely of all your sins, known and unknown; accuse yourself of all you can remember; when you cannot remember the exact number, tell it as nearly as you can; hide nothing deliberately; be firmly resolved, in the future, to observe the Commandments of God and the Church, and God requires no more.
Who could remember exactly all his/her sins? No one in the world. But God, who knows all, pardons all when He sees in the heart a true, sincere repentance. Peace be to men of good will!
Moreover, remember that the sins forgotten in Confession, even if Mortal sins, are pardoned like the others. Never disquiet yourself, either before Confession or after it; gaurd well the peace of your soul. If, after absolution, you remember any sin, it will not be neccessary for that reason to return to Confession; above all, it is not neccessary to deprive yourself of Holy Communion. It will suffice, the first time you come again to Confession, to say 'Father, at my last Confession I involuntarily ommited such and such a sin'."

J.M.J.
Mark

 

[Carrye]

I still take a list every time I go. It's easier for me, and really helps me to prepare ... without getting scrupulous. My priest never minds.

 

[CountryMom]

I still take a list every time I go. It's easier for me, and really helps me to prepare ... without getting scrupulous. My priest never minds.

I just called my priest and I'm going tomorrow, so I started my list... thanks for sharing!

 

[xxRachaelxx]

my teacher at school today was talking about catholics, and then she was like mimicking someone goin to confession..and she was speakin in this irish accent and stuff...hmmmm....so i had to question her about it (lol) but she kinda got side tracked and started tellin me about her dad and where hes from lol

 

[Carrye]

I just called my priest and I'm going tomorrow, so I started my list... thanks for sharing!

 

[CountryMom]

Just wanted to let you know that I DID IT! Very scary at first, cried through most of it, but I feel better!

Thank you for all your prayers and encouragement!

 

[ZooMom]

CountryMom!! Good for you!

 

[Dream]

Just wanted to let you know that I DID IT! Very scary at first, cried through most of it, but I feel better!

Thank you for all your prayers and encouragement!

Nothing feels better than recieving absolution.

 

[colleen]

Country Mom,
I've definetely been there. The first time was scary, but I'm so proud of you for going. Isn't it amazing. I feel so lifted up, and you masses with a "clean slate" will be so much better. When I go to mass in the grace of the church I walk out and it feels like Jesus is lifting me ten feet above the air.
Colleen