Confessing a sin without guilt

[Daisy]

A friend was telling me today that she’s been committing a sin she had no guilt for. She wouldn’t tell me what it was. And she asked me to pray for her, she said if she died today, she knows she’d go to hell. She said she’d never felt the strength of this temptation before, like a demon was in her, and seemed very worried, and I wasn’t sure what to tell her. I ended up telling her that if she went to confession, she’d have the grace to battle it. But she said she didn’t want to go because she felt no guilt for it, and so therefore felt like she had no business confession the sin. I told her at the very least, she should just go to confession and tell the priest she has no guilt.

I need to drop something off at her house soon, and wanted to write her a little note sharing some incite on what she talked about with me today. What should I say?

 

[joeybaggz]

That you are a friend who loves her and is concerned for her. You might suggest she talk to a priest about why she has no guilt about this sin. And her blasé attitude isn’t really healthy for her. Beyond that, just be her friend. (unless she wants to drag you into her private hell)

 

[Erikaspirit16]

It depends on what she means by “guilt.” If she means “shame,” then not having “guilt” (shame) is just fine. No problem. However, if by “guilt” she means she doesn’t feel responsible for the action, that’s another issue. Who is responsible, then?

 

[PaulfromIowa]

she said if she died today, she knows she’d go to hell.

She has this imperfect contrition, which is sufficient for absolution. She should confess. However, I suspect what she means is that she fears that she is not able to stop this sin. You are correct that the Sacrament of Penance would strengthen her.

 

[Daisy]

I suspect what she means is that she fears that she is not able to stop this sin.

It was difficult to understand, but I think she plans on committing it over and over. And doesn’t mind. She fears hell a little bit. But not enough to stop. And she must not see any harm in what she’s doing. Perhaps I’ll explain to her that if it’s a sin, there will be some type of harm to herself involved eventually, even if she can’t see what it is right now.

 

[dann]

Its just a phase.