I'm in the process of being confirmed as a Catholic and pretty soon I will do my first confession and I was just wondering if it's scary? I like my priest and feel comfortable talking to him, but it really scares me to think about confessing everything I've done. Before I was a Christian (and I guess since then as well, but to a lesser extent) I did some pretty bad things. I don't know how I'm going to be able to confess. Also I was wondering how you feel afterwards? Do you feel really guilty or is it more comforting?
2007-03-25 16:21:25 · 21 answers · asked by Brooke 4 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
It's ok- your feeling are natural- don't think you are the world's worst sinner or anything like that.
Your feeling are actually VERY GOOD- it mean you are aware of your sinfulness- you'd be amazed how many people AREN'T.
You should have received an Examination of Conscience from your RCIA teacher- if not- google it and you can find one. Sit down with it and really pray over each question. You will see two things 1. nothing you have done is original- it's been done before and 2. it will help you sort out sin/ no sin.
If you can do it and be positive NO ONE will see it- write out your answers. ie- If it asks if you have masturbated, answer 'I am impure with myself once a week." Or whatever. When you are done, you will have a list of what you need to confess- you can take it with you. SOme priest don't like that- but if you tell him you want to do this right and not forget anything, he should understand. Afterwards BURN IT. I am serious- do not throw it away, do not tear it to shreds.
You will not say anything Father has never heard before. You won't surprise him, you won't shock him. I promise.
Afterwards- you be will SO AMAZED at how wonderful you feel! It will be as though the weight of the world is off your shoulders. You can't even imagine it now, because you have never experienced it.
Yeah- it's difficult, but it is supposed to be. Think about your 'worst' sin....once you confess it and it is forgiven, do you EVER want to have to say those words to anyone again? If you really try, you won;t need to!
Welcome home....and send me a note after you go to Confession- I'd love to hear how you feel!
2007-03-28 09:37:03 · answer #1 · answered by Mommy_to_seven 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I love, LOVE confession. Call me weird, but this sacrament heals me. I don't know what I'd do without it.
In confession, you are speaking to Jesus. It's the most comforting thing. Yes, it's uncomfortable talking about our sins, but acknowledging them means that we're mindful, that we're trying to take steps to get better. Jesus knows that. A lot of people worry that their sins are so bad that they can't be forgiven. It is so the opposite. God's love is so immense, so big and powerful that there is no sin that can't be forgiven. We may still have to live with the consequences of what we've done wrong, but we have the confidence and joy of knowing that in God's eyes, we are forgiven.
Take some time and relax. Pray to God. Ask Him to help you give a good confession. Here's a link to a guide to making a good confession: http://youth.stbrons.com/Prayers/guide_to_confession.htm.
What I do is sit down and go through the questions one by one, and I list what I've done wrong. I'll even bring my list with me so that I don't forget anything. When I'm done, I go home and shred the list. I love doing that. It's like the last part of the confession when I get to see my sins shredded. They are gone!
Anyway, I hope this helps. Confession is the best thing you can do for yourself. Just pretend that they're giving away free money in the confessional :D!
By the way, you are still a Christian. Being Catholic does not mean that you're not a Christian.
God bless, and take care.
2007-03-27 03:17:48 · answer #2 · answered by Danny H 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Confession is not scary but it is a bit of hard work. You really take an honest look at yourself and think about those places that need improvement. This is an examination of conscience.
This is one way how to go to Confession
+ Get yourself ready by making your examination of conscience.
You enter the confessional. You can choose to talk to the priest face to face or anonymously behind a screen.
+ 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.
With love in Christ.
2007-03-26 17:50:34 · answer #3 · answered by imacatholic2 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Like you, I converted to Catholicism as an adult and found first confession daunting. I stumbled and stuttered through it. Here's a good rule of thumb -- you don't need to confess every single venial sin you've ever committed. Mortal sins are enough -- and you don't need to go into great detail. Just saying something like "I committed "X" sin many times in my youth" is enough. The purpose of confession is repentance -- and although you will be uncomfortable the first time, it gets much easier. Be sure to make a good confession -- The first time I was so uncomfortable saying one particular sin that I ommitted it (big mistake) and I ended up going again to confess that particular sin before I could receive the Eucharist in good conscience. You will feel relieved when it's over -- and a great deal lighter. After you receive absolution, it's one of the best feelings ever. True repentance means turning away from you sins for good and you'll find that as you grow as a Christian, confession is more and more important to you as a way to strengthen you faith. Also, talk to your priest about spiritual direction - It's really invaluable!
Welcome to the Church -- May God bless and keep you.
2007-03-25 16:30:32 · answer #4 · answered by Who Knew? 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Do not be afraid, confession is the most wonderfully liberating thing that you could ever do.
I became a Catholic at age 39, and was apprehensive about going to confession. I have found that physically hearing a priest say the words you are absolved of your sins, brings comfort, ,joy, relief, and gets rid of the guilt that I had been living with for years. I am sure that you will find your first confession so amazing, that you continue to go to confession on a regular basis.
May God richly bless you on your journey!
2007-03-25 16:35:51 · answer #5 · answered by civilman 2 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Priests have heard just about EVERYTHING, so don't worry. You don't even have to confess face-to-face... you can kneel behind the screen and then he can't tell who you are unless he knows your voice. If it's really bad you can go to another parish.
But anyway, I'm sure you'll be fine. I was a Catholic for fifteen years and only ever had one bad confession experience out of what must've been at least two hundred. (And that was only bad because the priest blamed my mental health issues on the devil... wtf?) But anyway...confession is pretty cool. I always felt much better after I confessed. If you do have issues with the priest, you can always go to his superior (the parish pastor or the bishop or something). But that is pretty rare. You'll be fine. I'm sorry if I scared you off or something, but I'm just telling it like it is... mostly it was cool (if you really believe it) but sometimes there is a loony.
2007-03-25 16:32:08 · answer #6 · answered by Rat 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
First of all, congrats!
It also scares me to confess anything - big or small. Admitting to yourself is one thing, but it's a psychological thing when actually admitting to another person. Afterwards, I don't feel guilty at all; I feel "cleansed" of my guilt... I get this good feeling like, "hey, it's a new me and I feel great!"
Don't worry, your priest will never, ever tell anyone anything, nor will he judge you. He's there to help you. Also, you don't have to be very detailed at all when confessing; just state the main point of what you did wrong -- if the priest needs more explanation, then he'll ask.
Good luck!
2007-03-25 16:29:41 · answer #7 · answered by Idolmonkey 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I have heard many of my non-Catholic friends say they do not have to confess to anyone but Jesus. I am not a bible scholar but somewhere it says to confess your sins one to another. The reason we confess to a priest is because Jesus told St. Peter that "whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you release on earth shall be released in heaven". This is believed by most Christians to refer to sins. Most Christians also believe in something called Apostolic Succession, which means that Peter (the apostle) was able to transfer this gift to his successor, and that they were able to do the same, and so on and so on. So when I confess to my priest (Peter's successor) I feel great.
Anyway that was not your question. There is something so liberating and beautiful about confession. I've never been to a counselor before but I imagine it's the same feeling. Going to a priest once a week for confession is like getting free counseling. I don't just go in with a laundry list. I just talk, face to face and afterward I feel great. Congratulations..
2007-03-25 16:56:34 · answer #8 · answered by ohbrother 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Confession is a great sacrament, very therapeutic. You'll get into the swing of it. Don't worry, the Priest has heard it all---he's the professional, let him carry the burden.
That's the whole point of Catholicism.
Some people take a list into the Confessional with them, so they will have their thoughts straight if they get nervous at the last minute.
Whatever you have done, the Priest will assign a penace.
And, as they used to tell us, the only unforgiveable sin is Despair.
2007-03-25 16:29:46 · answer #9 · answered by papyrusbtl 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You have the option to either confess in front of the priest or behind the wall. I remember my first confession. I did it in front of the priest and i was real nervous too. But after wards you will feel so much lighter, and so much better. Its like you had a weight on your shoulders and was lifted off. I really hope you enjoy your first confession. You are just asking for forgiveness and being forgiven. Good luck!
2007-03-25 16:27:59 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋