afraid of Confession....

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Monica4316 said:
Hello 🙂

it’s been around 3 months since my last Confession (I haven’t been receiving Communion either, though I’ve been going to Mass and praying… long story) - and I have kind of a long list… I’m planning on going to Confession this Saturday and I’m terrified. The main thing is the length of the list… I don’t know how to get through it all in time. I’m having trouble distinguishing between mortal and venial sins right now so I just want to say them all. I’m really kind of struggling spiritually and I know I need the Sacraments… but do you have any advice on how to get through the list …or anything else? If you have a moment please say a prayer for me… thank you!! 🙂
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Matthew 17:7
But Jesus came and touched them, saying, “Rise, and do not be afraid.”
 
achmafooma said:
I am praying for you.

A few things to consider:

First, as fhkjds said, if you’re not sure what it is it is probably venial. However, it can be good to confess venial sins. It’s not required, but it can still be good for the soul and help you overcome them (especially if they are habitual). If you feel a desire to confess all your sins, venial and mortal, then by all means do it!

Second, you don’t have to go into great detail. When I was converting, Father said in our RCIA class that we just need to say what it is and how many times. “I committed murder three times, and I missed Mass twice” (actual example Father used!). He doesn’t need a lot of detail; if he feels he needs more information about a particular sin, he will ask for it. Some people feel they need to go into deep, contextual detail, but this usually isn’t necessary.

Third, really, don’t be too concerned about time. Father has heard longer confessions than yours, I can guarantee it. After all, he will have heard from people like me. I converted at age 26, so I had my entire teenage years to Confess my first time ;). I feel sorry for the folks in line behind me.

Lastly, don’t let yourself get terrified. This is natural, up to a point, but Satan will use this natural fear to try and keep you away from the Sacrament. Don’t let him win!

God bless you.
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I agree with you that it is not necessary to go into deep contextual detail but sometimes one may have habitual sins and my confessor has said that it is very helpful to have some context so that his advice may help one to stop falling into the sin.

I always state my sins in kind and number along with why I committed the sin in a short but concise manner. For example, I missed Sunday mass twice this month once because I had to work and another time because I just didn’t feel like going.
 
Monica4316 said:
Hello 🙂

it’s been around 3 months since my last Confession (I haven’t been receiving Communion either, though I’ve been going to Mass and praying… long story) - and I have kind of a long list… I’m planning on going to Confession this Saturday and I’m terrified. The main thing is the length of the list… I don’t know how to get through it all in time. I’m having trouble distinguishing between mortal and venial sins right now so I just want to say them all. I’m really kind of struggling spiritually and I know I need the Sacraments… but do you have any advice on how to get through the list …or anything else? If you have a moment please say a prayer for me… thank you!! 🙂
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Get a hold of a good Examination of Conscience - and I remember before when I didnt go to confession for some time I got in the bad habit of confessing only every 5 or 6 months for awhile -I would pray the Rosary and ask Almighty GOD to call to my mind all the Sins that have greatly offended him since my last good confession - then I would really study the Examination of Conscience praying on it. I would do this for 2 or three days prior to my confession and yes I was nervous but you know what - right after you confess and leave that confessional you are completely unburdened. What a feeling that is.

I now go at least once a month and confess Venial Sins if that is all I have. If I do have a Mortal sin - I confess as soon as possible after.

So yes , I feel your pain but make a good confession !!! you will be so glad you did !!!

Pax
 
Around a half a year ago, I went to my first confession in over 5 years, and needless to say I was terrified. But the priest was kind when I told him I hadn’t been in awhile and got off track, mostly because of the teen years where it can be hard to focus where everyone around you is sinning. But after going, I felt so much better, and I have continued to make so much progress in my faith since then. If a prostitute (who is surely sorry and embarrased of her sins) can cry on Jesus’ feet and confess her sins, and she can be forgiven by Jesus himself, then I think there is no reason why we should be scared and embarrased of our own sins.

God Bless:)
 
Sorry for my last post, I think we should be embarrased of our sins, but we shouldnt be scared and embarrased to confess them!
 
Many priests consider it a blessing for themselves when someone who has really gotten off the track comes to them for confession. They are there to save souls.

I concur with those who warn that Satan is attempting to scare you away from the sacrament. If you are actually in a state of mortal sin he has you in his back pocket so don’t delay past tomorrow.

Saint Maria Faustina’s Diary of conversations with Jesus quote Him as saying that a soul’s lack of trust in His mercy hurts Him far worse than the sins themselves.

And yes, I’ll pray for you. I was lapsed for years and understand the fear, but the priest was was wonderful. Most of them are. After reciting penance it’s always nice to offer a prayer for the priest who granted us absolution and brought us back into a state of grace.

You’ll feel great after Communion!
 
Don’t get hung up on whether they are mortal or venial, just confess and leave them to the Healer of Souls, Christ Jesus. Trust in His mercy, relax going in there, say a good Act of Contrition with an open heart, and get ready to hear those glorious words of comfort—the words of absolution! Don’t get nervous. Satan doesn’t want you going into that confessional, trust me!

Satan convinces you to be anxious, nervous, or to not go at all. Then when you leave he tries to convince you you weren’t forgiven. Don’t let him into the equation. Just confess anything you think offended God or your neighbor, lay it all out, and God will take care of it.

Best of luck to you. Blessings! 👍
 
Monica4316 said:
Hello 🙂

it’s been around 3 months since my last Confession (I haven’t been receiving Communion either, though I’ve been going to Mass and praying… long story) - and I have kind of a long list… I’m planning on going to Confession this Saturday and I’m terrified. The main thing is the length of the list… I don’t know how to get through it all in time. I’m having trouble distinguishing between mortal and venial sins right now so I just want to say them all. I’m really kind of struggling spiritually and I know I need the Sacraments… but do you have any advice on how to get through the list …or anything else? If you have a moment please say a prayer for me… thank you!! 🙂
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Greetings. I think that you should right all your sins down on paper and confess them to the priest. That is what I do because it really helps when it comes to actually telling him your sins. The majority of people don’t remember what their sins are or forget them due to nervousness or shyness.

The mortal sins that I know are murdering. The venial sins that I know is simply lying and not telling the truth. Good luck!🙂
 
=Monica4316;7469894]Hello 🙂
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it’s been around 3 months since my last Confession (I haven’t been receiving Communion either, though I’ve been going to Mass and praying… long story) - and I have kind of a long list… I’m planning on going to Confession this Saturday and I’m terrified. The main thing is the length of the list… I don’t know how to get through it all in time. I’m having trouble distinguishing between mortal and venial sins right now so I just want to say them all. I’m really kind of struggling spiritually and I know I need the Sacraments… but do you have any advice on how to get through the list …or anything else? If you have a moment please say a prayer for me… thank you!! 🙂
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My dear friend in Christ;

I supect your TOO CONCERNED :o

Just go and share your concerns with father who will be most happy to give you the guidence that your seeking.

In order for an action to be a Mortal sin THREE conditions MUST [absolutely] be present.
  1. It must be serious matter: If one were to poll 50 people and ask them is sucu and such an action a Mortal Sin; more than 50% would have to agree tht it is [of people who understand what a Mortal sin is]. IF YOU ARE IN DOUBT IT IN NOT A MORTAL SIN, until you speak to your Confessor who confirms or denies that it is. Even then the sin would ONLY be Mortal on furutre sins; not on past actions.
The singular exception to this rule is the action one SO SERIOUS that EVERYONE [a super majority] would and SHOULD understand the action to be a Mortal Sin such as Murder, Abortion, sex outside of Marriage and having an affair in marriage.

JUST TALK TO YOUR CONFESSOR; and let him know that your confused about what is a Mortal Sin; Believe me; yuo woun’t be the first or last to do so.

What is Critical is not to further postpone your Confession.

God Bless you,
Pat
 
Hi-I can relate very well with the fear of confession especially if one haven’t gone in a while (over 20 yrs for me when I confessed in 2005) and going to a different confessor (I have to go to the same confessor or I’ll have anxiety issues). Okay-I just learned that this priest who has been with us for over 5 yrs may be leaving possibly at the end of March. He is a civilian priest at the base chapel who is loved many many people including me and my kids. I hope he doesn’t leave yet if he does, I must decide where to go-I will probably switch to a local catholic church, try my darnest to not sin, get to know the priests first before going to confessionals again. I just learned a month ago through the VA disability board that my adhd is actually aspergers syndrome and I hate changes! The only reason I seem to do well in the military (air force reserves) is the structure and the bond with my fellow comrades. Yet, I will try my hardest to not let anything get in the way of this sacrament-my way of coping is to know the priest first before confessing-not able to go to strangers-even priests-my phobia, I guess. If anyone has any ideas-I am opened to it-and thanks-oh-I don’t have fear of confessionals anymore-really treasure this and the other sacraments but for some odd reason, even with the priest being in the persona of Jesus-I must know the priest before I can go in and confess my sins, open up, or whatever-just a struggle I have. Thanks-:signofcross::getholy:
 
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