Do cradle Catholics struggle with Confession?

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Do regular, cradle Catholics struggle with confession? When I belonged to the Pentecostal one of my biggest struggles were altar calls. Now I don’t have to worry about those thank God (I just love our denomination,) but once in a blue moon every now and then, I feel like the spirit is leading me to go to confession and it feels so strange because it started in October, when I went and I thought it would be done. Now the feeling is back and I don’t know what to do. I get shy when it comes to practicing my new denomination especially on my own. I feel so awkward. I love it but it is also the first denomination where I feel like I finally belong. I’m not fighting the spirit like I used to. God is as mysterious but he is just closer somehow.

For those who aren’t Catholic, altar calls, are called by the minister at a particular point in the service. If one feels spiritually called to go up, they go up to basically what is the stage. Some ministers will ask people to come up onto the stage, while others it’s ok to pray at the bottom of the stairs that leads up to the stage. Each church is different therefore it’s difficult to generalise. Once up, one will pray on their own, or sometimes the church will have altar servers or other people who are trained to pray with the people. The speaker and/or minister will also pray as well. Depending on the church and how the spirit is flowing, the experience can be extremely loud, imtimating or very quiet and intimate. The point is: one has the choice to say as little or as much as they want. Most cases there isn’t much dialogue only prayer.

Confession is different because unless there is adoration or some special event happening, it involves some sort of planning or making an appointment. This latter is just scary as hell and I have some really great priests in my area especially the ones at my school and my church. Speaking one on one about stuff you would tell god at an altar call is so scary because its on a different level. There is that human level that makes me so uncomfortable.

For those who were formally from another denomination what are your experiences on this? I’m seeking people’s stories because it’s an area about the Catholic denomination that I am extremely uncomfortable about.

Thanks SG
 
Of course it’s not comfortable. It’s not meant to be! Sin is a serious business, a serious sickness of the soul.

It’s never pleasant going to a doctor when you’re very sick either, interestingly also because of that human element - it’s embarrassing to reveal to another person all your disgusting and horrible diseases with their messy symptoms.

In both cases, however, it’s necessary. And in both cases we need to learn to look past the discomfort to the healing and health to follow. And perhaps use the experience to motivate us to avoid sin or take better care of our health in the future.
 
SecretGarden said:
Do regular, cradle Catholics struggle with confession? When I belonged to the Pentecostal one of my biggest struggles were altar calls. Now I don’t have to worry about those thank God (I just love our denomination,) but once in a blue moon every now and then, I feel like the spirit is leading me to go to confession and it feels so strange because it started in October, when I went and I thought it would be done. Now the feeling is back and I don’t know what to do. I get shy when it comes to practicing my new denomination especially on my own. I feel so awkward. I love it but it is also the first denomination where I feel like I finally belong. I’m not fighting the spirit like I used to. God is as mysterious but he is just closer somehow.

For those who aren’t Catholic, altar calls, are called by the minister at a particular point in the service. If one feels spiritually called to go up, they go up to basically what is the stage. Some ministers will ask people to come up onto the stage, while others it’s ok to pray at the bottom of the stairs that leads up to the stage. Each church is different therefore it’s difficult to generalise. Once up, one will pray on their own, or sometimes the church will have altar servers or other people who are trained to pray with the people. The speaker and/or minister will also pray as well. Depending on the church and how the spirit is flowing, the experience can be extremely loud, imtimating or very quiet and intimate. The point is: one has the choice to say as little or as much as they want. Most cases there isn’t much dialogue only prayer.

Confession is different because unless there is adoration or some special event happening, it involves some sort of planning or making an appointment. This latter is just scary as hell and I have some really great priests in my area especially the ones at my school and my church. Speaking one on one about stuff you would tell god at an altar call is so scary because its on a different level. There is that human level that makes me so uncomfortable.

For those who were formally from another denomination what are your experiences on this? I’m seeking people’s stories because it’s an area about the Catholic denomination that I am extremely uncomfortable about.

Thanks SG
Click to expand...
Craddle Catholic…
Yes, confession is terrifying…
 
SecretGarden said:
Do regular, cradle Catholics struggle with confession? When I belonged to the Pentecostal one of my biggest struggles were altar calls. Now I don’t have to worry about those thank God (I just love our denomination,) but once in a blue moon every now and then, I feel like the spirit is leading me to go to confession and it feels so strange because it started in October, when I went and I thought it would be done. Now the feeling is back and I don’t know what to do. I get shy when it comes to practicing my new denomination especially on my own. I feel so awkward. I love it but it is also the first denomination where I feel like I finally belong. I’m not fighting the spirit like I used to. God is as mysterious but he is just closer somehow.

For those who aren’t Catholic, altar calls, are called by the minister at a particular point in the service. If one feels spiritually called to go up, they go up to basically what is the stage. Some ministers will ask people to come up onto the stage, while others it’s ok to pray at the bottom of the stairs that leads up to the stage. Each church is different therefore it’s difficult to generalise. Once up, one will pray on their own, or sometimes the church will have altar servers or other people who are trained to pray with the people. The speaker and/or minister will also pray as well. Depending on the church and how the spirit is flowing, the experience can be extremely loud, imtimating or very quiet and intimate. The point is: one has the choice to say as little or as much as they want. Most cases there isn’t much dialogue only prayer.

Confession is different because unless there is adoration or some special event happening, it involves some sort of planning or making an appointment. This latter is just scary as hell and I have some really great priests in my area especially the ones at my school and my church. Speaking one on one about stuff you would tell god at an altar call is so scary because its on a different level. There is that human level that makes me so uncomfortable.

For those who were formally from another denomination what are your experiences on this? I’m seeking people’s stories because it’s an area about the Catholic denomination that I am extremely uncomfortable about.

Thanks SG
Click to expand...
Yes, as a “cradle” Catholic it is still uncomfortable at times. But that is a good sign because if we viewed it as something akin to going to the store, we wouldn’t be taking it seriously. Also… unrelated to your post but something that you may want to consider… the Catholic Church isn’t a denomination. We are the one and only original Church. Sorry, if that sounds arrogant or if that offends anyone, but it drives me nuts whenever I hear Catholicism being referred to as just another denomination.
 
Yes. There are times my heart pounds, my palms sweat, my voice quivers, my stomach flips around, and my mind goes blank (which is why I make a list). I go fairly often - monthly or so and some times are easier than others. I am always, always met with kindness, gentleness, and encouragement. I am always glad I made the effort to go. God is very generous.
 
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.
 
SecretGarden said:
(I just love our denomination,)
Click to expand...
Hello SG - welcome home!

One thing you should know, now that you are truly Catholic, is that the Catholic Church is not a denomination. She IS the one and only Church established by Christ through His apostles. All others are denominations - but we are the One True Faith.

😉

~Liza
 
jimrob said:
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.
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I think that jimrob has pretty much nailed it here, and I’ve been on both sides of this fence.
As a young man, confession was always difficult - what to confess…and they were usually pretty superficial. Even after my return to the Sacraments after 35 years I struggled with admitting my sins…but eventually I got over this and now see confession as a great blessing and font of many graces.

As others have said, if you are feeling uncomfortable and struggling with this, that is a good sign. First it means that you are being convicted in your sin by the Spirit of God. Secondly - it appears that the evil one is trying to play on this conviction by turning you toward fear and hesitancy. He does this because he know the great graces that from Confession and wants to keep you away from it.
So do what you need to do, examine your conscience, get to Church and go to confession. You’ll come out feeling like as clean a new-born.

Peace
James
 
Most cradle Catholics are not technically allowed to do confession, so it ends up chicken and egg.
 
Yes.

I have always likened it to going to dentist. I hate going to the dentist. However, if you don’t go frequently, your teeth (and in the case of confession - your soul) will rot.
 
Wow, I had no idea so many people hated confession so much.

I’m not a frequent poster to this forum, but read it a lot. I’m also a “cradle Catholic” - born into the church (thank God!) and went to Catholic schools.

First of all, I personally don’t go to confession much, in truth, hardly ever. I just don’t feel the need. It isn’t fear, it just isn’t something on my list of things I feel I have to do. Yeah, I probably should go more.

Second, I was raised in the “new Church” when everything turned around and our relationship with the Church got so much closer. Back in the old Latin mass days, there was this veil between the congregation and the service. It is so much more inclusive now, less clique-ish.

Third, confession, also known as reconciliation, is a sacrament given to us so we can improve our relationship with God. It is a gift. Why would we dread getting a gift? Reconciliation is the gift of grace. It is the only recurring sacrament where we grow closer through the Holy Spirit (Confirmation being the big Holy Spirit sacrament but we only do that one once.) Reconciliation is like having a “date night” with God. It is your own little one-on-one time in a very real physical presence.

I invite you to share your concerns with your priest and consider going to reconciliation without any sins to confess. Just go with a concern. Perhaps you’re starting a new job or a new project and want an extra blessing for strength so everything goes well. Just talk to your priest about that and feel the grace that flows from the experience.

We don’t have a punitive God. He wants to get to know us - everything about us. He loves us unconditionally. He loves YOU unconditionally. Reconciliation is your reminder of that.
 
You know, I am a cradle Catholic, 50 years old and I used to dislike reconciliation a great deal.

But then I went through a time where I very nearly left the church and the slow road back has made me appreciate all of the wonderful tools we have in the Catholic church to help make us holy; to help us draw ever-closer to God.

Reconciliation is one of those that I now hold very dear. It is wonderful and cleansing and fills me with peace.
 
Oh yes, very much so. Probably more than converts do, honestly.

If you are uncomfortable in your own parish, maybe try to find a confession time at another parish if that helps?
 
jimrob said:
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.
Click to expand...
Well said.
 
Yes, I do and I’ve was baptized Catholic as an infant and raised in the faith. I have started to go a bit more often than the required once a year by church precept recently, and it does help me. I may not go to the same priest each time but at least I know what I say is in complete confidence.
 
As a cradle Catholic and religious educator of children, I can firmly say that my generation and those before us were not taught in the most friendly or effective way or about how wonderful the sacrament is. We had to memorize prayers and responses and that was about it. Today children are taught first about God’s love for us and how to make an effective examination of conscience. Our parish even allows the children to use a script when going to Confession (we also have a script permanently taped up in the confessional). Any nervousness they feel is often caused by their parent’s own fears.
 
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