Confession

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Trinityisgod

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I couldn’t think of anywhere else to put this. Anyways, my name is Adam, and I came into the church a couple of days ago (Pentocost Sunday, I was Baptized, Confirmed, and received my first Eucharist). Anyways, I have yet to do go to confession. I was just wondering, what does everyone do to get the courage to confess to a priest? Because I’m going to come hell or high water. I guess I’m a little embarassed about one thing any particular. Any suggestions?
 
I don’t think I have an answer beyond “just do it.”

Going to confession takes humility. We recognize our faults and admit them to someone else. But at the same time, God knows us and loves us. He wants us to experience that love through the forgiveness of our sins. And in my experience, the priest also wants us to experience God’s love through the sacrament.
 
I am not so sure you need to go to confession if you were just baptised since that would remove all your sins (unless you’ve sinned since then of course).

Maybe someone will clear this up.

Anyway, to answer your question. I just tell myself I have to do it and go.

God Bless
Javier
 
Trinityisgod said:
I couldn’t think of anywhere else to put this. Anyways, my name is Adam, and I came into the church a couple of days ago (Pentocost Sunday, I was Baptized, Confirmed, and received my first Eucharist). Anyways, I have yet to do go to confession. I was just wondering, what does everyone do to get the courage to confess to a priest? Because I’m going to come hell or high water. I guess I’m a little embarassed about one thing any particular. Any suggestions?
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Welcome to the Church! Regarding confession, what I do is I remember that God is the one I am primarily talking to. I just pour my heart out like I would if I was talking to Jesus Himself. One thing I do while confessing is that I look up and I make “eye contact” with God, I have my hands folded together in prayer, and I have a heart-to-heart with God, right there in front of priest. My conversation with God is different every time, but I tell Him things like I know He loves me, that I love Him too, that I wish I did a better job of doing His Will, that I know that doing His Will is what is best for me, that I’m sorry for failing to live up to His expectations, for my sins, for the people affected by my sins, etc. etc.
 
Trinityisgod said:
I couldn’t think of anywhere else to put this. Anyways, my name is Adam, and I came into the church a couple of days ago (Pentocost Sunday, I was Baptized, Confirmed, and received my first Eucharist). Anyways, I have yet to do go to confession. I was just wondering, what does everyone do to get the courage to confess to a priest? Because I’m going to come hell or high water. I guess I’m a little embarassed about one thing any particular. Any suggestions?
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It is important to note, as previously stated, that baptism removes all sin and only the sins that you committed after baptism need to be confessed. Now let’s say that you did commit a grave sin in the last couple of days or whenever you need to go, just go into the confessional and tell the priest your sins. Remember that there is NO sin that he hasn’t already heard. You will not shock him. Your stomach grumbles because you know that your sin may be embarrassing to mention but the priest isn’t worried since he’s heard it time and time again. The priest is happy that you are there. That is the most important thing. You are there and God is going to forgive all of your sins.

I have been going to confession for a number of years now and I still get nervous. It’s normal but the feeling afterwards is all worth it. God bless you and welcome home. You’ve done and are doing well. Jesus loves you and you are in my prayers…teachccd 🙂
 
Hi Adam,

Whenever I feel the need to go to confession, I pray about it and ask God to lead me there. There is no need to feel afraid…Just remember that the true reason you are going is out of love for God and out of humility…The priest is an “ambassador” for Christ and is there to give you guidance, not frown upon your mistakes… Remember that confession is an opportunity to grow in holiness and not a time to get nervous or scared…Hope this helps!
 
One thing that helps me is to remember that the priest you are confessing to in his turn goes to confession as well. So he’s been where you are, he knows how difficult it is. He’s not there to judge you, but to administer God’s mercy to you. When he finds out it’s your first confession he’ll probably be extra kind and helpful to you just for that reason.

And remember also that he has probably heard all the sins you’re about to confess many times over, so won’t be shocked by anything you have to say. I had one priest tell me ‘well, there ARE only ten commandments!’ - meaning that people are not particularly inventive in the ways they sin.
 
As others have said in other ways, the only method has to be to talk to Jesus as you would do in your own room when alone but remembering that his representative is present to provide spiritual advice in His name. I try to do this but do find myself afraid of calling the priest ‘Lord’, instead of ‘father’ ! Though I doubt that any priest would misunderstand if I did so. I also often forget to include things I have decided to confess (but have been assured that sincere amnesia is included in the absolution).
After 50+ years of confessing, I have absolutely no idea of how anyone else actually expresses themselves in the confessional but no priest appears to have been surprised at the various ways that I have used. I do pray to Our Lady; the great saint of the confessional, Leopold Mandic and my guardian angel that I will make a good confession and then - off I go, say everything I can remember in the best way I can express it and RECEIVE ABSOLUTION - WOW. Remember that this is not merely a matter of past sins, the Sacrament assists in the avoidance of sin in the future and so should be frequently sought. GOD BLESS!
 
Sometimes I go to Confession at a different parish where the priest doesn’t know who I am. Everyone here is right, though–the priest has heard it all before. He is merely the representative of Jesus, “in persona Christi”. Jesus is the One who forgives. When you go to the Confessional, picture our Lord on the other side. Welcome home!
 
Welcome Home!
You have received good advice. It is true that your baptism cleansed you of your past sins and you are now a new creation in Christ!! Thus, there is likely no requirement for confession- as others have pointed out. However, as one who avoided the confessional for 20+ years I want to encourage you to avail yourself to the tremendous graces of the sacrament frequently,even for venial sins. Although previous sins need not be confessed (due to your baptismal regeneration), including them can be tremendously liberating.
I don’t think there is any way to “make it easy”, I get nervous each and every time! Knowing that our all-loving Father is waiting only for me to confess sins so he can pour forth is Mercy and cleanse me of those offenses and opening the door for me to partake of the rewards merited by the sacrifice on Calvary is AWESOME!
To prepare myself, I find it helpful to do a few things:
  • Make a good examination of conscious - then you know what you are going to say
    (it is fine to write out a list and take it with you)
    +Pray-ask God that you make a good confession
    +Give yourself plenty of time to reflect before you enter the confessional, but
    an extended wait my really exacerbate your anxiety so be careful.
You are about to experience a joy that can not adequately be described! I am truly happy for you! May God bless you.
 
Trinityisgod said:
I couldn’t think of anywhere else to put this. Anyways, my name is Adam, and I came into the church a couple of days ago (Pentocost Sunday, I was Baptized, Confirmed, and received my first Eucharist). Anyways, I have yet to do go to confession. I was just wondering, what does everyone do to get the courage to confess to a priest? Because I’m going to come hell or high water. I guess I’m a little embarassed about one thing any particular. Any suggestions?
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I’ll go out on a limb here… Rest assured, any priest you go to for confession probably hears that “one thing in particular” from two thirds of his male confessees if not more! …probably a pretty darn good number of females as well.

If he’s an older priest he’s heard it tens of thousands of times by various names.

I’ve always called “it” a “solitary act of impurity”… He’ll know what you mean.
😉
 
Okay, thanks guys. For those of you who keep telling me about Baptism washing away sins:, I know this. I’ve just happen to sin since then. Thanks anyways. I think I’ll take Palm Trees advice. Some of the things are kind of things I’d rather not discuss. But, then again I guess the priest has heard it all before. Thanks guys
 
Welcome to the fullness of truth that is the Catholic Church!!

Just remember there isn’t anything the priest hasn’t heard before. Also the priest probably doesn’t know who you are, even if they did they are bound to not mention anything outside of the confessional about it, ever to anyone, even you.

Also, it takes more humility than courage to go. Thank God for giving you the gift of reconciliation for your sins. Thank God for allowing you the means to get to confession. Ask him before to help you to call to mind your sins. Thank God after for helping you through it, washing away your sins and filling your heart with his grace once again.

Frequent confession is a great way to bring you closer to God. I try to go once a week (usually before mass) and it’s helped me get closer to God. In fact it’s become like mass where I miss it if I don’t go.

Also remember you only “have” to go if you’ve comitted mortal sin. But, by all means go regularly and confess those venial sins too. Why not?

Also remember during the mass your venial sins are washed clean, listen to the prayers at the beginning of mass when the preist asks God to wash away our sins.

Very powerful stuff!!

Congrats again, and welcome home!!!
 
“just do it” is a good answer - and you will almost certainly feel better afterward.

Be joyful that you can receive the sacraments. It is possible to be outside the church and be barred from them (such as being in an unlawful marriage - barred from all sacraments other than last rights).
 
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