25 years since my last confession....

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I went after a 35 year absence. I almost asked if I could just mention the few things that I haven’t done but thought better of it. Face to face. It was easier than I expected. The priest made it easier by asking a few questions. After I was done I wondered why I waited so long. Don’t worry! Just do it.

Not one of the few in the pew at communion anymore. (still not used to communion in the hand though)
 
Well, I am on my way! I got up this morning went for a bike ride, finally sunshine in the DFW area, and felt a huge push from the Holy Spirit. I read all of your words from yesterday and this morning. Got myself ready for the next stage in my life. I went to mass nervous and excited, went through communion procession, arms crossed, received the blessing from Father and began to cry. I composed myself for the remainder of mass. Afterwards I took your advice. I set an appointment for confession on Ash Wednesday. Father Ken didn’t scorn me, he hugged me and I started bawling. I feel like I am home again. Thank you very much, all of you. Lorik you are right this is going to be an awesome Lenten season.
Again I really appreciate your words of inspiration and your prayers.

What a day!!! 😃

Tom
 
If its been 25 years, or longer, try to get there early and be first in line, because its going to take you a while.
 
Tom, I am so happy for you. Really, this made sound strange coming from a complete stranger in such an anonymous way, but your story brings tears to my eyes. God’s reaching out to you and you’re responding!! Have a wonderful Lent and a joyous Easter!
 
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TAB19:
I am a cradle Catholic trying to make my way back to the Church. I have been on this forum site for a while thinking it would bring me back because I have always “felt” Catholic but have not practiced. I have even reponded to different threads to make me feel like a better Catholic. Yada yada yada, anyway.
I need to go to confession but am, quite frankly, scared. I am trying to talk myself out of it. I have been confessing directly to God, hard to explain here, but feel like something is missing. It has been so long since I have felt like a good Catholic boy it is almost like it is too late to come back. I don’t even know where to start. I was hoping some of you all could offer words of encouragement. I could use some help.
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Tab,

Fear not. I had not been in almost twice as many years as you. I went, I did not know what to do, but I said “bless me Father, I have sinned. It has been many years since I went to confession. Please help me with this”. He was wonderful. It was not nearly as bad as I thought and what I told him, he said, “I have heard much worse.”

Do not be afraid. It is worth all the trepidation and tears. I have never felt so at peace and I know you will too. Now when I receive Communion, I almost always have tears in my eyes.

God bless you.
 
TAB19

I was in the same situation as you are in that it was about 20 years since I went to confession. I kept thinking about it all the time and coming up with reasons why I should go and why I shouldn’t go. I finally got up the courage to call my local parish and made an appointment with the priest. I met him in his private office inside the rectory. He was very good and kept me at ease while I told him all my sins. When I was through, he thanked me for making a good confession and then absolved me of my sins. I’ve been going back to confession about every 4 to 8 weeks and even though it is still hard, it is getting easier each time. This all took place last fall, around October 05. I actually took the advise of many people here on this forum by meeting with the priest and going to confession in person instead of behind some curtain or door. At first I thought that was a little insane going to confession face to face, but it turned out to be the best advise I ever got. You will be surprised just how easy and simple it is. Please try it.

Mark
 
God is good! All the time!

I pray that your confession brings you much comfort and peace. I, too, was away from the church for a long time - I think it was nearly 20 years since my last confession. But I finally did it last May, and now go every month to two months. Saturday when I went, I felt a joy that permeated throughout my entire soul, and feel more prepared than ever to enter into the Lenten season with reverence, grace and repentence.

Welcome home, my brother!
 
Thanks all for the encouragement and advice! I finally make it today.

Blessings,
Ross:thumbsup:
 
I found this thread while looking for some info to give my husband who is beginning to return to his faith again after many many years and after going to mass again for a couple of months, going to confession is the next step for him also…encouragement is really welcome and I sincerely hope that anyone reading and contemplating going to confession find these answers useful. However, it seems important to say that you should never forget the power of a simple prayer. Tell God exactly what you want from your heart and ask Him to take care of it. I mean literally “I want to go to confession but I just can’t seem to take that step - I don’t want to put it off any longer and I am asking you to help me Lord to get there”. It always works for me! On a trip to Madrid last year, I went to a big cathedral the day before All Saints in the hope there would be confessions in different languages before the feast day but although there were three priests hearing confessions, there was no information for tourists and I couldn’t hear any english spoken. I moved outside but asked Jesus to help me go to confession. Next thing, my husband (who was still a practising atheist but sightseeing around the crypt) came up to me and asked me what I was doing. I explained I was too embarassed to queue for confession only to find they might not understand me! My husband insisted I had not tried hard enough and that I go back inside and get in line! My private response? Thanks Lord - you not only answered me today but also reminded me that we are still working together on getting my husband back in the fold too! (Of course the Priest did speak english perfectly well)
 
@ tieman 1:

Yours is a great story, too! The worry and anxiety we put on ourself is far more negative than anything that is said in a confession, isn’t it?😉
 
Yes, its been a long time for me since I’ve gone to Confession.

Yes, I know the need to go as I am sure it will put me at ease after I go.

I just need to find a place and time that fits in with my work schedule that is unconventional.
 
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