Do cradle Catholics struggle with Confession?

[Kennywood]

Clearly, from the response you’ve seen, most Catholics who go to Confession do struggle with it in some way at some time or another. In glancing at the posts, I can’t help but notice thre are a lot of “shoulds” written in here.

Yes, there is an etiquette or plan for what happens in Reconcilliation. But, not unlike the new Translation, not everyone is on the same page at the same time.

It is more important that you are there than you follow the schedule to the letter and get the phrasing of “For all these sins and any others” just so.

A good priest- and most of them really are very good priests- is not going to get hung up on the shoulds, any more than the father did in the story of the prodigal son. They are glad you are there, and most times, they will do whatever they can to make it a good confession.

 

[Jayne_L]

Catholics divide into those who see Confession as a pleasant spiritual experience and those who don’t want to admit that they are ever wrong. The first group save a fortune in therapist bills: the second group should first see a therapist to help with the narcissus complex and then try regular Confession. This applies equally to cradle Catholics and converts.

What a load of hoc. I do see a therapist regularly, and she’d never suggest I had a narcissus complex. And I am terrified of confession - I’m so glad I went afterwards but actually getting there… It has nothing to do with not wanting to admit I’m wrong, and everything to do with the fact that I was bought up not to tell others your dirty laundry. If you sin, repent. Then do better. There is no need to discuss it with anyone unless it directly affects them.

Frankly, if the problem was that I don’t like been wrong then I wouldn’t be able to see my therapist (or my shrink, or my GP… or my parents…).