Baptism and confession

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Mi3hael

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Hi, this may seem a silly question.

I am on my journey to join the Catholic Church, one thing that worrys me is that as I am now 30 and lived for 29 years with no concept of religion or sin that there is quite a lot of sin in my past. (Nothing too bad I’ll add but sin never the less)

Once I am baptised do I just need to confess any sins after baptism or would I need to unload 30 years worth on the poor priest?

I guess I’m asking in a simplified way, does baptism wipe the slate clean?

Thanks
 
Mi3hael said:
Hi, this may seem a silly question.

I am on my journey to join the Catholic Church, one thing that worrys me is that as I am now 30 and lived for 29 years with no concept of religion or sin that there is quite a lot of sin in my past. (Nothing too bad I’ll add but sin never the less)

Once I am baptised do I just need to confess any sins after baptism or would I need to unload 30 years worth on the poor priest?

I guess I’m asking in a simplified way, does baptism wipe the slate clean?

Thanks
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yes, it wipes the slate clean
 
I second the first reply. When I was in RCIA, we Catechumens (people needing baptism along with the other Sacraments at Easter Vigil) were told not to go to confession since all our sins will be forgiven at Baptism. So yes, you will only have to confess what you do after Baptism. You won’t believe what it feels like when you walk away with a wet head and knowledge that all those sins are wiped clean; I was shaking!
 
When you are baptized, all of your sins are forgiven. All of the punishments due to those sins are also remitted, so you won’t go to Purgatory should you happen to die immediately after Baptism. The Sacrament of Penance is only for sins committed after Baptism.
 
Sorry if I ramble, but as an RCIA team member, I just had to add my two cents.

Yes, as others have said, all your sins will be forgiven, up to that point, through baptism.

But please, view Baptism as a Holy Sacrament, not as a magic wand.

Show your humility, and abandon your pride, by doing everything you can to be properly disposed to receive the graces offered by the sacrament; enter the waters of baptism with a contrite heart and spirit, and repentance.

When coming out of the waters, pray, for it was after the baptism of Jesus, and while he prayed that heaven was opened:

Luke 3:21 - After all the people had been baptized and Jesus also had been baptized and was praying, heaven was opened

Pray in thanksgiving that through the sacrament, instituted by Christ, that heaven has been opened for you (and I, and all our Christian brothers and sisters)!

The Catechism of the Catholic Church charges the Body of Christ with providing additional instruction and support to the newly baptized, and calls for the newly baptized to work at continuing to grow in faith.

Baptism is the start on the journey to heaven, not the conclusion. Salvation is a marathon, not a sprint.

PEACE AND ALL GOOD!
 
Mi3hael said:
Hi, this may seem a silly question.

I am on my journey to join the Catholic Church, one thing that worrys me is that as I am now 30 and lived for 29 years with no concept of religion or sin that there is quite a lot of sin in my past. (Nothing too bad I’ll add but sin never the less)

Once I am baptised do I just need to confess any sins after baptism or would I need to unload 30 years worth on the poor priest?

I guess I’m asking in a simplified way, does baptism wipe the slate clean?

Thanks
Click to expand...
Yes. Sins and all the eternal and temporal punishments!

You were never baptized (such as in a valid baptism by Protestants)?

Then no you would not confess ANYTHING.

You would believe in Jesus, repent and be baptized. Then like in Acts you will receive the Holy Spirit. And as Paul says you will be a new creation!

The old sins are not even matter for confession (only sins committed after baptism are such matter)- for they will be washed away in baptism!
 
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