Confession question

[USA_Jaguar]

I have recently returned to the Church and as such I haven’t confessed since I was very little. I had heard that there is a type of confession where the priest goes down a list of questions and you simply answer yes or no. Does anyone know what I’m talking about and if so can you elaborate for me.

Thanks.

 

[PhilotheaZ]

I have heard of a priest who does this on occasion for people who request it, especially for young people who are embarrassed to confess. It is not the usual way. But if it has been a long time since you have been to confession, let the priest know, and ask him to help you. He should guide you in any way you need. It is a good idea to examine your conscience before you enter the confessional, mentally recalling the sins you have committed since your last good/complete confession. But if you ask him, your priest-confessor may guide you through an examination of conscience in the confessional (which I think is what you are describing). In any case, have no fear (fear is what the devil plants in you to keep you away from confession), and trust in God’s wonderful mercy available in this Sacrament.

 

[tcraig]

I use “A primer for confession with an examination of conscience” by Fr. Frederick L. Miller, S.T.D.

Mine is in the form of a little pamphlet, but I googled online and the same thing is available here:

canticlemagazine.com/pastissues/issue02_exam.html

I don’t know if this is exactly what you were looking for, but there are quite specific questions under each commandment. I think this little “primer” is a wonderful tool, and I use it every time prior to confessing.

God bless!

 

[rpp]

Welcome back to the Church!

Since this will be a confession covering many years, consider making an appointment rather than getting in line during the regularly scheduled confessions as it may take a while.

I would encourage you to follow the very simple guide provided by tcraig. Here are a few other versions.
cin.org/avatar/examcon.html
therealpresence.org/archives/Sacraments/Sacraments_005.htm
scborromeo.org/confess.htm

This site has a series of links to various forms of examination of conscience.
geocities.com/Heartland/Estates/4152/exam.htm

When I converted I had to make a general confession that covered more than 30 years of my life. Let me tell you what I did.

I bought a small notebook and a pen. I used a couple different “examination of conscience” references and began writing down my sins, organized in the same way as the examination of conscience form was. Then I reorganized this list into chronological order, adding any sins I had overlooked the first time. Then I reorganized the list again by type of sin, again adding any sins I overlooked the other two times. By the time I was finished with this second reorganization, I felt I had a fairly complete list. I took the list to my confession and went through it with the priest. Afterwards, I burned the entire notebook and the pen I had used. I sprinkled the ashes with holy water and buried them.

This effort, which took a couple of days, had a profound effect on me. It really made me conscious of my faults and my desire to rectify my life. While it sounds painful, it was one of the best things I ever did!

Imagine how wonderful it will be for you to be able to receive the precious Body and Blood of our Lord in Holy Communion after you make your confession. May God bless you!

 

[USA_Jaguar]

Thanks for all the great info. I’m actually getting a bit excited about confessing because I want to lift the weight that my sins have put on my soul.
Again thanks for the info. And God Bless.

 

[outfctrl]

I went through the same thing six weeks ago.
The Priest told me to sit in a chair away from the screen so he could face me.
He went through all the Commandments with me.

About 15-20 minutes.