Can I go to confession yet?

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seeker_of_God

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I’m currently in RCIA. I’ve already been baptized, but have to get confirmed and receive first communion.

I would like so much to go to confession to deal with some of my more habitual and stubborn sins, to receive that grace from God. Obviously I’ve committed sin from the time I was baptized as an infant, to now, so I fear that my relationship with God is weakened because of that, and I greatly desire to strengthen and repair it through the sacrament of reconciliation. I also wish to have someone help me to overcome the sins I have trouble with; nothing serious, but still troublesome.

I don’t know if I’m allowed to go to confession yet, though. I’m only in the first stage of RCIA, and we’ve barely even discussed confession.

I would much appreciate it if someone could clarify this for me.
 
In answering this – I assume you are in normal health and not in immediate danger of death. And I assume you have an RCIA sponsor that you are able to talk with.

Be patient. Ask your RCIA director. And accept their answer. Talk with your sponsor.

And mainly focus on each week’s lesson. Learn what you can from the lesson. Do any assigned reading(s). Be open to what God is leading you to do – and I suppose you will find yourself praying more. Perhaps pray for those volunteering in your RCIA program. Pray for your teacher(s). Don’t let questions on different topics distract you from the week’s lesson – keep on track and try to learn from each week’s lesson.

I attended RCIA myself only a few years ago. It is easy to be anxious, but perhaps it would be better to learn each thing one at a time as your RCIA program presents itself.

If you have extra time, perhaps you can find something else to read in addition to your RCIA things (don’t neglect your RCIA things). But this RCIA is the best thing for you to focus on at this time.

jmm08
 
seeker_of_God said:
I’m currently in RCIA. I’ve already been baptized, but have to get confirmed and receive first communion.

I would like so much to go to confession to deal with some of my more habitual and stubborn sins, to receive that grace from God. Obviously I’ve committed sin from the time I was baptized as an infant, to now, so I fear that my relationship with God is weakened because of that, and I greatly desire to strengthen and repair it through the sacrament of reconciliation. I also wish to have someone help me to overcome the sins I have trouble with; nothing serious, but still troublesome.

I don’t know if I’m allowed to go to confession yet, though. I’m only in the first stage of RCIA, and we’ve barely even discussed confession.

I would much appreciate it if someone could clarify this for me.
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The person you need to speak with is a priest (preferably your pastor), in person and in private. Explain your situation and ask him if he can hear your confession. Only he can answer that.
 
jmm08, why do you say not to focus on much else because what RCIA is teaching? I don’t know if I can help it. I have been absorbing information left and right, as much as I can read. In addition, I’m not yet learning anything new in RCIA, so I feel I have to do my own learning as well.

I just ask, because that’s really depressing to me to think of not doing any of my own reading and learning.

FrDavid96, thanks, I will do that.
 
My suggestion here would just be to pray the Act of Contrition until you know for sure wether you can or cannot go to confession.
I’m pretty sure Acts of Contrition can forgive venial sins if said properly.
Could somebody correct me if I’m wrong?
 
When I was in RCIA, I saw my priest separately for confession, weeks before everyone else did. I had a particular sin on my mind, and I just couldn’t stand myself anymore and definitely couldn’t wait. My priest was so wonderful–kind and caring, and when I asked him if it was okay since I wasn’t confirmed yet, he said, “Are you kidding? How the Heavens and angels rejoice over one sinner who repents! Come over to the church, I’ll be waiting.” And it was truly a grace, truly. ❤️

So yes, call your priest and talk with him. Good luck, and CONGRATULATIONS on your RCIA journey!
 
twosweetgirls said:
When I was in RCIA, I saw my priest separately for confession, weeks before everyone else did. I had a particular sin on my mind, and I just couldn’t stand myself anymore and definitely couldn’t wait. My priest was so wonderful–kind and caring, and when I asked him if it was okay since I wasn’t confirmed yet, he said, “Are you kidding? How the Heavens and angels rejoice over one sinner who repents! Come over to the church, I’ll be waiting.” And it was truly a grace, truly. ❤️

So yes, call your priest and talk with him. Good luck, and CONGRATULATIONS on your RCIA journey!
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Confirmation is not a prerequisite for Confession. Baptism is. The sacraments of the Catholic Church are for Catholics. I think the norm is to make a first confession just before being received into the Church. A number of people in RCIA drop out. Suppose the question was on having ones marriage blessed so it could become a Catholic sacramental marriage and you were not yet Catholic. Then suppose the couple decided to drop out and not enter the Church. Oops! The sacramental life of the Church is for Catholics. Exceptions can be made. As an earlier poster intimated, if you were in danger of death you would be given any sacraments you wanted to have, but maybe being patient is prudent at this time. God knows your heart.
 
if you feel the need for confession now, go now. be sure to tell the priest this is your first confession, that you are baptized and preparing for Confirmation and first communion through RCIA, that will help him guide you.

If you don’t know the form and procedure, or even what to confess, that will be covered during your preparation, usually in Advent or Lent, and your group will probably plan some type of penance service with individual confessions, but there is no need to wait. Plenty of resources here to help you prepare. There is no law that says you have to do this with your class (anymore than there is a law about 2nd graders going with their class to confession before first communion.
 
puzzleannie said:
if you feel the need for confession now, go now. be sure to tell the priest this is your first confession, that you are baptized and preparing for Confirmation and first communion through RCIA, that will help him guide you.

If you don’t know the form and procedure, or even what to confess, that will be covered during your preparation, usually in Advent or Lent, and your group will probably plan some type of penance service with individual confessions, but there is no need to wait. Plenty of resources here to help you prepare. There is no law that says you have to do this with your class (anymore than there is a law about 2nd graders going with their class to confession before first communion.
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That’s true, but we do have to keep in mind that the pastor has the obligation to know that first confession precedes first communion. Since confession is in the internal forum, that can be a delicate thing. A visiting priest can help with 1st confession “class” and the pastor knows that everyone who showed up that day has confessed. In individual circumstances, that’s not so easy. That’s why someone wishing to make a first confession, regardless of age, should approach the pastor personally and privately first.
 
seeker_of_God said:
jmm08, why do you say not to focus on much else because what RCIA is teaching? I don’t know if I can help it. I have been absorbing information left and right, as much as I can read. In addition, I’m not yet learning anything new in RCIA, so I feel I have to do my own learning as well.

I just ask, because that’s really depressing to me to think of not doing any of my own reading and learning.

FrDavid96, thanks, I will do that.
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I probably wrote wrong. Yes, do your own reading and learning. And it can be very important to do that (and pray). What I meant to say is not to neglect your RCIA assignments or current RCIA topic. Learn that too.

Don’t be depressed. This can be such a wonderful time for you. It was a good time for me. And the things that I learned on my own were important too.

It is a little like coming downstairs on Christmas morning as a child. And there are so many presents under the tree and your parents went out of their way to make sure you are going to be very happy. Yes, if you find a present for you go ahead and open it. But don’t forget to look at the presents from your RCIA team.

If you don’t think you have found any really good presents yet, well perhaps you just started. Or you aren’t looking hard enough.

I didn’t want to say too much because some delights are best experienced as surprises.

And part of the intent of my earlier post was that you should listen to your RCIA teacher(s), volunteers and your sponsor because they know you. I suppose that they know you better than we will.

And maybe I say “don’t get distracted” because I am somebody who is easily distracted. There will likely be time after RCIA for other things, but you are in RCIA now and may not be in it again. But once you are through RCIA, you may kind of go through it again (in a way) if you help or volunteer. Personally, though I suppose volunteering to help RCIA may be best after waiting at least a year after completing RCIA. But I could be wrong about that too. Each of us is different and unique.

And although I mention Christmas and getting presents, it is also really a good thing to learn how to give. How to help others. But helping others will be more within your grasp after you complete RCIA.

jmm08
 
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