Catholics I need Advice?

Question

I am going to confession for the first time in 6 years I dont even know where to start, with my sins. What should I dp when I talk to the Priest.

Answer 1

You need to examine your conscience before you talk to the priest.

Here is an example of an examination of conscience:

+ Love of God + (Mark 12:28-30; John 14:23-24)

In what ways do I doubt God’s love for me?

Do I carve out time during the day to be with him in prayer or Scripture reading?

Do I attend Mass when I am able?

Am I angry with God because of places or circumstances in which I find myself, family difficulties, or an injury or illness?

Do I curse, swear, or use God’s name irreverently?

Are there areas in my military life where I need to seek his will?

In what particular areas am I called to be more obedient to God’s commands?

+ Love for Others + (Luke 10:25-37; John 13:12-15)

Where have I been selfish or arrogant or failed to care for my family or those men and women with whom I serve?

Have I used language that insults, demeans, or humiliates others?

Have I gossiped about or slandered others?

Were there times when I was slow to put the needs of others before my own?

Have I been respectful and obedient to my superiors?

Are there situations where I need to build up or encourage others?

+ Forgiveness + (Matthew 18:21-35; John 8:1-11)

Do I accept God’s forgiveness of all my sins?

Is there a particular sin that I do not believe God can forgive?

Do I find it hard to forgive myself?

Are there situations in which I need to forgive?

Perhaps I need to forgive someone who hurt me—an absent or negligent parent, the military service itself for “bad orders”, another deployment, an unfaithful spouse, being passed over for promotion, or an enemy.

Do I let anger fester in my heart?

+ Humility + (Mark 10:13-16; Philippians 2:6-11)

Am I prideful?

Do I recall that my talents, gifts, and vocation come from God?
Are there people with whom I refuse to share my time and gifts, even when the Lord is calling me to do so?

Am I self-sufficient, or do I turn to God’s Holy Spirit for the grace and power to overcome temptation and live a victorious Christian life?

Have I treated the people with whom I serve as children of God, regardless of their rank or position?

Is there an area in my life that remains “secret”?

Am I willing to speak to the chaplain about it?

+ Integrity/Honor + (Psalm 19:14; 1 Thessalonians 4:3-8)

Do I shirk my responsibilities, requiring others to pick up my burden?

Do I carry out my duties honorably?

Which of my actions are not consistent with military rules and Christian principles of justice?

Do I overindulge in alcohol or use illegal drugs?

Have I engaged in sexual activity outside of marriage?

Do I give my mind over to lustful thoughts or fantasies?

Have I used pornography (books/internet/magazines/indecent movies)?

Have I told or enjoyed lewd or obscene jokes or stories?

Have I lied, cheated, or taken things that belong to others?

+ Courage + (Joshua 1:7-9; Matthew 23:37-39)

Do I speak out boldly when Christianity or my Catholic faith is challenged?

Are there situations when others have suffered because I did not speak the truth in love?

Do I stand up for what I know is right when others are beckoning me to move into situations that could lead me astray?

Are there any fears that are holding me back from being the man or woman that God would have me be?

With love in Christ.

Answer 2

First, you must do an Examination of Conscience. Go down the list of the Ten Commmandments and see if you have violated any of them in the past. A good, honest, and proper examination will probably reveal a number of things you didn't even recognize as sinful until that moment. Talk to a Catholic priest and ask for advice on how to do a proper examination of conscience.

After you've examined your conscience, you'll know you are prepared to receive the Sacrament.

Most parishes offer Confession on Saturday afternoons starting at 3PM, the hour of mercy.

Some parishes do face-to-face confessions, others use booths called Confessionals. Either way, when it's your turn, say, "Bless me father, for I have sinned. It's been six years since my last confession and these are my sins." You'll know what you have to tell him.

Don't worry about trying to remember "everything", just confess what you can remember.

The priest will then grant you absolution and ask you to receite the Act of Contrition. If you are in a confessional booth, chances are, there will be something posted that you could read from. If not, there are many good Acts of Contrition prayers available online, one of which you could memorize. They are not that long.

That's pretty much it. You will feel so much better not carrying the burden of six years worth of sin on your shoulders.

ADDITION: I went 15 years between Confessions. I remember stressing over it too, at the time. Eventually, I went; I survived; I'm still here. Believe me: you'll know it was all worth it, once you've gone.

Answer 3

when you first enter the confession booth:
"Father forgive me for I have sinned. It has been 6 years since my last confession."
From this point go over your ten commandment and start from number 1 to number 10 and say the sins that you have committed and if possible how many times (not required, but helps).
And be specific about it the big sins like for example cheating on your wife or something, just an example.
When you are done confessing your sins:
Say "If there's any sins I forgot to mention here today, please forgive me." That will cover the rest of the small sins.
After that just listen to what the priest have to say and pray outside. Done.

Answer 4

You can make your confession either face-to-face or from behind a screen.
Cross yourself and say, "bless me, Father, for I have sinned."
The priest will bless you and give your some Scriptural encouragement.
Then you may begin making your confession, during which you may ask questions. The priest will help you if you need it, and guide you through it. When you have finished, say so.
Then you must say an Act of Contrition (Oh my G-d, I am heartily sorry...) and the priest will absolve you and give you a penance.
Answer "amen" and cross yourself.
The priest will dismiss you - be sure to thank him. Then complete your penance as soon as you may.

Answer 5

Depends on the priest. Is he a traditional or modern sort of priest? Most of the priests these days, at least the ones that I have known, will just informally talk with you. You don't have to start with all that, "Forgive me father for I have sinned..." stuff.

Answer 6

Bless me Father for I have sinned. It has been ----- since my last confession. You have to know the Nicene Creed and it's been a long time since I went to confession in a confessional booth. As far as your sins, the Lord already knows them and the priest is a mediator to Christ, so just say the ones you remember and don't sweat the smaller stuff. My church did a general confession with all of us saying it together in the pews and it was a Catholic Church. I like that much better.

Answer 7

Make the sign of the cross, then say
Forgive me father for i have sinned. it has been .... years since my last confession.
I accuse myself of the following sins: here name the sins and how many times committed., each one.
Then say you are sorry for these sins and all the sins of my past life......here you can name some sins already confessed
The Priest gives you a penance, some prayer, and will advise you. While the priest is saying the words of forgiveness (absolution) you should say the act of contrition.
Contrition: O my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended you, and detest all my sins, because I dread the loss of heaven and the pains of hell, but most of all because they offend you my God, who are all good and deserving of all my love. I firmly resolve with the help of your grace, to confess my sins, do penance and amend my life, Amen
If possible perform your penance right away, and offer a prayer of thanksgiving to God for the Sacrament of Penance.

Answer 8

Yo I'm Catholic too, but I haven't gone to confession in a year or two. I would just tell him my most recent sins,because over the year you probably have sinned the same thing twice, right?

Answer 9

1. You always have the option to go to confession anonymously, that is, behind the screen or face to face, if you so desire.

2. After the priest greets you in the name of Christ, make the sign of the cross. He may choose to include a reading from Scripture for reflection. Then say: "Bless me Father for I have sinned. It has been (state how long) since my last confession. These are my sins."

3. Tell your sins simply and honestly to the priest. (You might even want to discuss the circumstances and the root causes of your sins and ask the priest for advice and direction.)

4. Listen to the advice the priest gives you and accept the penance from him. Then make an Act of Contrition for your sins.

5. The priest will dismiss you with the words of praise: "Give thanks to the Lord for He is good" or the "the Lord has freed you from your sins. Go in peace." And you respond by saying either: "His mercy endures forever" or "Thanks be to God."

6. Spend time with our Lord thanking and praising Him for the gift of His mercy. Try to perform your penance as soon as possible.

An Act of Contrition

Oh 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 have offended Thee, my God, Who art 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.

Answer 10

ok well what i do is that i follow the 10 commandments, and from the first commandment all the way down, i say all the stuff that i sinned relation each of the commandments, "not saying i break everyone" like just go down the list of the commandments and say all the ones that relate to them

Answer 11

just tell him its been 6 years since your last confession and start with what your done that you feel you should confess for. You don't have to go into detail.
But hey I haven't been to confession in about 7 years or more.