First Confession and nervous!

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I have my first confessional next Wed (Ash Wednesday), with a great Priest. I am in RCIA and I am preparing for my first confessional. I am so nervous as I need to confess for thirty years of life. How should I prepare or do I prepare? Also, how have you gotten over the fact that the Priest will not look at you different? I can’t wait to have my sins lifted, but very scared to make a mistake. I posted here as I always get great help. God Bless You All.
 
Just remember priests have heard it all. Just be yourself and be honest. It’ll be ok.
Kathy
 
Firstly, the norm is you spend say 5 minutes in prayer beforehand, to search your soul for sin, but since you are new to this and have a good span of time, I do not know. Perhaps 10 minutes? The main thing you do is go in there sorry for all of them, with the determination not to do them again. Don’t beat yourself over the head if you end up forgetting something. the idea is that you would had confessed it if you had remembered, because the emphasis is on that you wished to be wiped clean of all your sins in the first place. the bare minimum is that you confess ALL mortal sins you can remember at that time.

When you have recalled something you have forgotten later on, should you remember, mention that sin at the point of your next regular confession. You are free to receive Communion inbetween confessions like that, just as long as some instance of newly committed mortal sin hasn’t cropped up. Should that happen, you would discontinue Communions until receiving Absolution for the sins forgot the previous time and the current mortal sins at the next confession.

You have nothing to worry about, and at least you know your priest easily. You don’t have to confess face-to-face either, He needn’t know who you are. Even if he does know you, from what I understand from an EWTN priest, he hears so many confessions he couldn’t possibly keep track of them, and he also thinks that in his own case he is blessed with a Holy Forgetfulness in such matters. Whether all priests have that or not I do not know, but being behind a screen of some sort can make that pretty absolute.
 
Don’t be nervous, even though it is easier said than done. Some of us who go frequently (to the same preists) are nervous.

You’re priest should (and probably will) understand your situation and he may guide you through, especially since this is your first one.
 
Would like to offer you a word of encouragement. Believe me, you can tell the Priest most anything and I am pretty sure he has heard it all. Take a deep breath before you start and just go down your list and don’t worry about how it may sound.

You will find this Sacrament is a great source of peace and joy in your life. Go as often as necessary and it will be a great help in your life…

God Bless and Take Care…
 
I have my first confessional next Wed (Ash Wednesday), with a great Priest. I am in RCIA and I am preparing for my first confessional. I am so nervous as I need to confess for thirty years of life. How should I prepare or do I prepare? Also, how have you gotten over the fact that the Priest will not look at you different? I can’t wait to have my sins lifted, but very scared to make a mistake. I posted here as I always get great help. God Bless You All.
Blessings to YOU!! What a wonderful time this is. I know it’s scary…we’ve all been there. Heck, I have a fabulous confessor and I still get nervous sometimes. What might help is to spend a few minutes in front of the Blessed Sacrament, and just ask Jesus to help you through it, to give you the peace of knowing that it’s really Him you are confessing to, and he already knows your sins, so you’re not really telling him anything new or shocking. As for how your priest will respond, most are very good, and while your sins might be terribly embarrassing or humiliating for you, they are not for the priest. They really have heard it all, and most have told me that by the time you walk out of the confessional, they’ve already forgotten what you’ve told them. The main thing is to be honest. If you’re nervous, you can tell the priest that too, and he will help you through it. Let us know how it goes. 👍
 
Here’s a link for an examination of conscience (or if you like a different one, use it!):

scborromeo.org/confess.htm

It’s a good place to start. Try to relax. It is an amazing feeling to be sin free!
 
Hi Mkipp
First of all, Dont be afraid of making a mistake! This is your first confession, not your only confession. Start by telling the priest that this is your first confession and he will help you through it. I actually forgot to do this when I did my first confession, the priest was still really nice even though i did it a little wrong, the second time was a breeze! If you are nervous about how he will see you in the future, first of all know that he wont see you any differently that he does now, but if it really bothers you, by all means confess to a different priest. You are welcome to confess to any Catholic priest. My advice for how to prepare, when I was in RCIA and was preparing I wrote out my sins on a 3x5 notebook card, maybe try that. It helped me then and it actually still helps me now. Good luck and welcome,
xyneshia
 
I have my first confessional next Wed (Ash Wednesday), with a great Priest. I am in RCIA and I am preparing for my first confessional. I am so nervous as I need to confess for thirty years of life. How should I prepare or do I prepare? Also, how have you gotten over the fact that the Priest will not look at you different? I can’t wait to have my sins lifted, but very scared to make a mistake. I posted here as I always get great help. God Bless You All.
Don’t worry so much–remember, chances are the priest has heard it all already. He is not going to look at you differently–and if he does–he’s not taking his vows seriously. Remember that priest are human, they work with humans. And no matter WHAT you say–they cannot confide that to anyone…even under court order. Think of the priest as a conduit to God–not a man who is is listening to you baring your soul. I always prefer the old fashioned way–in the confessionals. Makes it easier to feel as though you are with God. Face to face makes me feel too vulnerable. Ask for a confessional if that makes it easier.

I also tend to roll a lot of details into generalized terms—like “impure thoughts” rather than give specific details…KWIM?

I love confession–I wish I could go more often (I’m long overdue). I always feel so fresh, so clean afterwards—like after I’ve taken a long shower and scrubbed every part of my body.
 
…Also, how have you gotten over the fact that the Priest will not look at you different?
If it helps, remember that your Priest is a sinner just like you are. He goes to confession as you do. He has probably, being human, done the same sins (or maybe graver ones) than you. No Priest is “the one without sin” so I doubt they will be casting stones at you.

Keep in mind also that the seal of the confessional is absolute. The Priest cannot say or do anything outside the confessional that would violate the seal.

Put it all in God’s hands and if you get nervous or scared, just listen…you will hear the angels in Heaven rejoicing that you have come home!
 
I converted in 2002 and have fallen in love with Confession, as the PP stated, it’s like having a good scrub in the shower and feeling so clean afterward. I was terrified the 1st time - and went to a different parish so as not to shock our priest with my ‘life full of sins’. The kind priest I had was the best and told me not to keep beating myself up, to turn off that record (or CD) in my head if guilt kept sneaking in- I AM FORGIVEN - it feels so good…don’t be afraid. (I wrote up a cheat sheet so I wouldn’t forget what to do, that helped a lot)
 
mkipp;
As everyone has said, the priest has heard it all.

Sometimes I find it hard to believe, but I got to tell you, I have never seen a Priest flinch. And I was away from Confession for 18 years!!!

Pray before hand. Take a deep breath and let it all out. You will be amazed how lite you will feel after.
 
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