Confession

[brycelaliberte]

I realize there are dozens of threads, but my question is more specific and I haven’t seen this yet.

I will be starting RCIA the end of this summer, and coming into full communion next Easter. (That’s certainly the plan, anyway)

What I was wondering is; Is there some way I could do confession now, even though I haven’t started RCIA yet? Like, perhaps some sort of special ‘crash course’ on the sacrament, with the expectation that I will be coming into full communion?

I certainly know there are things I would rather have off my shoulders…

 

[LilyM]

This is something for you to discuss with the priest at your local parish. Lay all your circumstances before him and, if he thinks you’re ready, he may be willing. Being that you haven’t even begun RCIA - and have you even had a trinitarian baptism (in the name of Father, Son and Holy Spirit?) he may be reluctant.

Don’t be worried by this, though. Remember, in Catholic theology mortal sins are forgiven, in circumstances when confession is unavailable, by making a sincere Act of Perfect Contrition. The Act in and of itself does not permit one to receive (or resume receiving) Holy Communion, though, sacramental confession to a priest is required for that.

The Act written by Pius XII is as follows:

“O my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended Thee, and I detest all my sins, known and unknown, because I dread the loss of Heaven and dread the pains of Hell, and also because Thou art my Creator, my Savior, and my Sanctifier, but most of all because my sins have offended Thee, my God, Who art all good in Thyself and deserving of all my love. I firmly resolve, with the help of Thy grace to confess my sins, to do penance and to amend my life. Amen.”

Note that when you resolve to ‘confess your sins’ you are simply resolving to confess them as soon as you are able. God understands that in your case it is through no fault of your own (not even up to you, really) that you cannot receive sacramental Confession, so trust in Him that your desire for forgiveness is sufficient to obtain that forgiveness.

Mind you, if you just want to talk about past sins, priests can do that for anyone at all, but they can’t always provide formal absolution.

 

[brycelaliberte]

Thanks! Sounds like something I’ll have to bring up with my priest next chance I get.

Oh, and right, I’ve been baptized, should’ve added that.

 

[ComputerGeek25]

This is something for you to discuss with the priest at your local parish. Lay all your circumstances before him and, if he thinks you’re ready, he may be willing. Being that you haven’t even begun RCIA - and have you even had a trinitarian baptism (in the name of Father, Son and Holy Spirit?) he may be reluctant.

Don’t be worried by this, though. Remember, in Catholic theology mortal sins are forgiven, in circumstances when confession is unavailable, by making a sincere Act of Perfect Contrition. The Act in and of itself does not permit one to receive (or resume receiving) Holy Communion, though, sacramental confession to a priest is required for that.

The Act written by Pius XII is as follows:

“O my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended Thee, and I detest all my sins, known and unknown, because I dread the loss of Heaven and dread the pains of Hell, and also because Thou art my Creator, my Savior, and my Sanctifier, but most of all because my sins have offended Thee, my God, Who art all good in Thyself and deserving of all my love. I firmly resolve, with the help of Thy grace to confess my sins, to do penance and to amend my life. Amen.”

Note that when you resolve to ‘confess your sins’ you are simply resolving to confess them as soon as you are able. God understands that in your case it is through no fault of your own (not even up to you, really) that you cannot receive sacramental Confession, so trust in Him that your desire for forgiveness is sufficient to obtain that forgiveness.

Mind you, if you just want to talk about past sins, priests can do that for anyone at all, but they can’t always provide formal absolution.

What she said.

I have heard of instances of non-Catholic Christians and Jewish people going to Confession not to get “formal absolution,” but as a way to hold themeselves accountable and to get a blessing and/or pray with the priest in regards to their sins.

You may want to set up a short meeting with your priest to discuss the sacrament.