Confessing the sin of masturabation

[Alexander909]

What words should I use?

Should I just come out and say -

“I committed a sin against chastity by masturbating X-times?”

What if I can’t recall how many times I masturbated? Will “many times” suffice? I truly wish to be forgiven for this, and my other sins (As I truly am repentant and sorrowful for what I have done) but it has been so long since I went to confessional (At least two years), i’m not sure if I remember exactly how to confess my sins to the priest. I realize that this is a necessary first step to be forgiven, but I feel like I would embarrass myself if I entered the confessional without knowing what would be required from me.

I feel so ashamed that I cannot remember the proper procedure for entering confessional or when (And where) it is permitted during Church. I would greatly appreciate any help that could be given to me.

 

[cassman]

What words should I use?

Should I just come out and say -

“I committed a sin against chastity by masturbating X-times?”

Yes. It is necessary to list the amount of times because it helps the priest to determine how serious the offense is, which helps to determine the penance.

What if I can’t recall how many times I masturbated? Will “many times” suffice? I truly wish to be forgiven for this, and my other sins (As I truly am repentant and sorrowful for what I have done) but it has been so long since I went to confessional (At least two years), i’m not sure if I remember exactly how to confess my sins to the priest. I realize that this is a necessary first step to be forgiven, but I feel like I would embarrass myself if I entered the confessional without knowing what would be required from me.

If you truly wish to be forgiven because of the offense you have done before God, then you may already attained “perfect contrition”. Either way, go to confession and confess all of your sins since the last time you were in confession. If you are sincere, and God will know your heart, then you will be all set!

I feel so ashamed that I cannot remember the proper procedure for entering confessional or when (And where) it is permitted during Church. I would greatly appreciate any help that could be given to me.

Shame can be a good thing if it leads you to repent and… go to confession!

Here is a Step By Step Guide to Confession.

Confession is one of my favorite sacraments. Frequent confession is always recommended by the saints. The more you go, the better you get at the proper procedure. Look over that link and you should do fine. It also won’t hurt to let the priest know as soon as you enter the confessional that this is the first time in a while and you don’t remember the steps. Depending on the church, you can either sit in front of the priest or behind a curtain/wall. The latter is required to be at least offered so you can count on that being available. Sometimes priests will give you confession by appointment as well. This is good if you haven’t been in a while, and/or if you will need extra time.

You can even practice by yourself if you like so that you are more “prepared”.

I’m praying for you. I am so excited too when someone goes to confession. You will feel so much better. I always feel like one of the good guys again!

 

[cassman]

Alexander,

One more thing. The priest is a professional. He does this for a living. He has heard everything under the sun, a thousand times each!

 

[Orleans_Attny]

What words should I use?

Should I just come out and say -

“I committed a sin against chastity by masturbating X-times?”

What if I can’t recall how many times I masturbated? Will “many times” suffice? I truly wish to be forgiven for this, and my other sins (As I truly am repentant and sorrowful for what I have done) but it has been so long since I went to confessional (At least two years), i’m not sure if I remember exactly how to confess my sins to the priest. I realize that this is a necessary first step to be forgiven, but I feel like I would embarrass myself if I entered the confessional without knowing what would be required from me.

I feel so ashamed that I cannot remember the proper procedure for entering confessional or when (And where) it is permitted during Church. I would greatly appreciate any help that could be given to me.

Depending on how long it’s been since your last confession, exact number for any chronic sin might be nearly impossible. Just do you best, even if you best is “On many occasions I’ve been impure with myself.”

More than anything confession caused me the most anxiety . . . and the longer I went without confession the greater my anxiety became. Don’t let this happen to you - particularly over a sin like masturbation. My priest once told me that the most confessed sin, by far, and by both layperson and priests alike, is masturbation. That’s not to discount the sinfulness of the act, but it seems strange to me that people will say, “I gossiped on 2 occasions about people I work with; I had too much to drink and then I drove my car; I yelled at my children for no reason on two occasions, I lied to my mother, oh and …um…er…I also … well…masturbated.”

Really? REALLY? You feel the most shame about masturbation?

If I can make two recommendations to you: First, if you haven’t gone to confession in a long time, or you haven’t been consistent with confession, or you feel you haven’t made good confessions in the past, schedule time with your priest for a general confession. It’s not a requirement…and you’ll likely be confessing sins that have already been forgiven. But if goes a long way toward making you feel like you’ve got a “clean slate” and you’re ready to make a major life change.

Second, go to confession every single week. It will change you life - and more importantly how you live your life. I promise you, this is one of the greatest things you can do for yourself, your faith, your family, and your friends.

Pax,
OA

 

[TraderTif]

And by all means, don’t panic!

When I went for the first time, after many years away, I just stumbled in, knelt behind the screen, and blurted out “Um…it’s been a long time since I’ve done this, and I don’t remember how!!”

The priest will help and walk you through it, don’t worry!!

And I wouldn’t worry too much about the exact number, especially if it’s been that long since you’ve gone to Confession. I just use “a lot”, or “a little”, or “a few”, etc.



Confession is awesome!!!

 

[JacktheCatholic]

Have you gone to confession yet?

This should be a priority for anyone in grave sin.
It is not so important that you have it all spelled out, just go… the Priest will help and you can explain your concerns to him. So “just do it” and you will be doing what you need to.

 

[Kasey1]

Have you gone to confession yet?

This should be a priority for anyone in grave sin.
It is not so important that you have it all spelled out, just go… the Priest will help and you can explain your concerns to him. So “just do it” and you will be doing what you need to.

This should be a priority for anyone in grave sin.
It is not so important that you have it all spelled out,

yeahh,i feel the same too

http://www.photosnag.com/img/4673/n09x0302vnsn/clear.gif

 

[JimG]

There’s no need to use euphemisms. Just say “I committed the sin of masturbation x times since my last confession.” Or even, if it’s been a long time since the last confession, “I committed the sin of masturbation x times per week since my last confession.”

 

[LilyM]

Don’t worry about coming up with a precise number - as you state, with some sins it can be impossible to pin down.

Just give an approximate - ‘several times a day/daily/a few times a week/weekly/whatever for a period of x number of days/weeks/months/years’ .

 

[MarchOfThePigs]

What words should I use?

Should I just come out and say -

“I committed a sin against chastity by masturbating X-times?”

What if I can’t recall how many times I masturbated? Will “many times” suffice? I truly wish to be forgiven for this, and my other sins (As I truly am repentant and sorrowful for what I have done) but it has been so long since I went to confessional (At least two years), i’m not sure if I remember exactly how to confess my sins to the priest. I realize that this is a necessary first step to be forgiven, but I feel like I would embarrass myself if I entered the confessional without knowing what would be required from me.

I feel so ashamed that I cannot remember the proper procedure for entering confessional or when (And where) it is permitted during Church. I would greatly appreciate any help that could be given to me.

Here is a trick if you feel ashamed, say I thought inappropriate thoughts and did inappropriate acts, the priest will know what you mean and your all knowing God should know, least he is busy avoiding world peace.

If the priests ask you to eloborate, thell Father Pervert you masturbated how many times you did, no need to jump straight into it, its your confession, it between you, a man, and God.