someone close to me passed away recently i would like to return to the church the thing is i do not know any prayers ive never been to confession i have no idea what to do can you please help
2007-01-19 06:52:49 · 29 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Welcome home.
+ Prayer +
Prayer is the elevation of the mind and heart to God:
+ In praise of his glory
+ In petition for some desired good
+ In thanksgiving for a good received
+ In intercession for others before God
Some basic Catholic prayers can be found at:
http://www.ewtn.com/Devotionals/prayers/index.htm
+ (Re)Joining the Church +
It sounds like you have been baptized but have not received any other sacraments. If the is true then contact your local parish and ask about information about their RCIA Inquiry group.
You can go and ask any questions you want.
This is the first step in RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) but you can stop at any time.
+ Reconciliation (Confession) +
If you go through the process of RCIA then you will learn about Confession. However if you want a little information now, this is one way how to go to Confession
+ Get yourself ready by making your examination of conscience.
+ After the priest greets you with the Sign of the Cross make the Sign of the Cross and say: “Bless me Father for I have sinned. It has been (say how long) since my last confession. These are my sins…”
+ Tell your sins simply and honestly to the priest. Don’t be embarrassed.
+ When you are done listing your sins please say: “…I am sorry for these sins and all the sins I can’t remember.”
+ Listen to the advice the priest gives you and accept the penance from him. Then make an Act of Contrition for your sins:
My God,
I am sorry for my sins with all my heart.
In choosing to do wrong
And failing to do good,
I have sinned against you
whom I should love above all things.
I firmly intend, with your help,
to do penance,
to sin no more,
and to avoid whatever leads me to sin.
Amen.
+ The priest will then conclude with the words: “Your sins are truly forgiven, Go in Peace”. You respond: “Thanks be to God.”
+ Perform your penance as soon as possible.
http://www.nccbuscc.org/catechism/text/pt2sect2chpt2.htm#art4
With love and prayers in Christ.
2007-01-20 17:20:01 · answer #1 · answered by imacatholic2 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Sorry about the event. When someone close to us dies, we are forced to think of where the person may be after death, that question of life after death. Is there a heaven? a hell?
I guess that is why you may want to return to or join a church. If joining a church gives temporary relief or uncertain answers to the questions, then that is useless.
Concerning prayers: just pray as natural as you may. God understands us when we pray and so we do not need to learn a set of phrases to use. Christians pray in Jesus name.
Confessions? If there are wrongs that one has done, confession should be made to God, not man. God hears and forgives, if we trully feel sorry for our offences and make up our mind to stop wrong doings.
2007-01-19 08:57:39 · answer #2 · answered by log 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you're talking about the Catholic church, you only have to call the office and they will direct you to their inquiry program, where you can ask all the questions you like. If you are still interested, you can be enrolled in their initiation program (RCIA) for a course of scripture-based study and prayer, usually culminating in baptism and confirmation at the Easter Vigil service. You don't need to "know" any prayers beforehand. They understand English very well.
For other denominations, the process may be similar or even simpler.
2007-01-19 07:01:45 · answer #3 · answered by skepsis 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Don't worry about the denomination, just go to a church that is welcoming and where you feel comfortable.
Don't worry about not knowing any set prayers. As others before me have said, just speak from the heart - that's the best prayer you can give.
I will remember you in my prayers. God bless, Pete.
2007-01-19 09:54:58 · answer #4 · answered by Pete J 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Welcome to the House of the Lord.
Go to Jesus, he is waiting for you.
The Lord said "Come to me all ye that are heavy laden and I will give you rest"
If you got the urge to go to church, by all means do so as soon as possible, before some demons persuade you otherwise.
If you dont know any prayers, it doesnt matter, just sit or kneel and speak from your heart, tell your burdens to the Lord.
Be sure you will experience a lot of peace in your life.
God Bless You!
2007-01-21 07:09:22 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Which denomination were you baptisedinto? Find the nearest church for that a go to the next service. Sit at the back . You will be given a bookwith the order of service in and afte a few times of going you will be OK.
2007-01-19 07:14:25 · answer #6 · answered by D B 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There is nothing to confess. Your life is the only prayer God wants anyway. He is not interested in people who mumble meaningless nonsense just because someone else told them to say it.
If you want a close relationship with God stay away from church. Religion is an impediment to any relationship with God.
love and blessings Don
2007-01-19 07:01:35 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Your best bet, as I've seen in here already in reply, is to go to your church and hit RCIA for a nice refresher, and/or go to a Catholic bookstore... there are Catechism books for people who are already Catholic and returning... I forget the direct title since I gave mine away to someone who needed it more than I did.
My mom is returning to the church too after years of being away from the sacraments, it's not that bad.
_()_
2007-01-19 07:49:40 · answer #8 · answered by vinslave 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The first step would be to find a church you'd like to attend and find out what time the service is at. You don't need to know any prayers to attend. God Bless :-)
2007-01-19 07:01:53 · answer #9 · answered by me 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Relax man! I am a Scottish Presbyterian and my wife is Roman
Catholic! So, sometimes we will go to to a Presbyterian Church
but mostly, I will go to a Roman Catholic Church, where I know
nothing. What matters is your intent, what is in your mind. Wishing
well to those you care for. You can pray in silence, and don‘t have
to kneel if you don‘t want to, nobody will nag you. And what is most
important, you will possibly (or surely) make new friends, and that
alone is a BIG bonus. Give it a try, for your own sake. I am with you,
Iain
2007-01-19 07:14:12 · answer #10 · answered by Ricky 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋