First Confession In A Long Time(LONG TIME)

[TimothyH]

Thanks guys. I’m not sure if I should just schedule a meeting with the priest or just go. I am really really shy as it is and may get scared when the time comes.

Drew, I made a 37 year confession. Just go. Tell the priest why you are there, that you need help making a good confession, and don’t worry about it. Just go. Trust me.

Don’t ask any more questions and don’t listen to anyone and don’t hesitate. Look up the next time confession is available in your area and just go. Go.

-Tim-

 

[Drew518]

My advice is simple…Print out what you wrote above and read it to the priest.

I’m serious…

This is what I did when I returned to the Church after 35 years. Rather than trying to do the old “what sins and how many times” formula that I was taught as a child, I used the “Seven deadly sins” as a starting point and meditated on how one “deadly sin” led to other deadly sins and how these really became a part of who I was for many years.

As I meditated on these, and to help me put my thoughts in order…I started typing…the next thing I knew I had something quite similar to what you wrote above. I tweaked it a bit for length…printed it out…read it to my confessor…received absolution…then I deleted the file from my computer and burned the hard copy.

As another said earlier…you aren’t going to say anything that this priest hasn’t heard before…I can tell you that after I finished reading my confession to father, his only comment was, “It’s obvious you have put a lot of thought into this”…I assured him that I had and we proceeded to my act of contrition and receiving absolution.

Welcome home and good luck on Saturday.

Peace
James

So I can really bring in my sins on paper and just read them off to the priest?

 

[JRKH]

So I can really bring in my sins on paper and just read them off to the priest?

Sure -
While it’s not a common practice, it can certainly be a help in certain situations - especially when one is returning to the Church after a long period.

And I have to say that I really do like what you wrote in your OP - even the last part about being afraid to go to confession. The only two sentences I’d remove are the first two. I’d replace them with the simple introductory statement…"Bless me father for I have sinned…and go on from there.
This is going to give your confessor just the right information in just the right amounts to allow him to give you some good advice for starting your journey anew.
He may even suggest meeting outside the confessional for guidance…who knows…

But the best part…especially since your plan is to go at the usual time rather than make an appointment…is that this makes the best use of the time. In my case, it kept me from talking too much - or forgetting things I needed to get said.

Like Drew 518 says above…Just go.
And afterwards you can receive the blessed Eucharist…Oh the joy I felt when I was able to do that…again…:extrahappy:

Welcome Home

Peace
James

 

[Mary_Ellen]

I’m with James: write it down and take it with you. Since you’re nervous it’ll help you not forget anything and help you get through it more smoothly.

I returned to the church after an 8 year absence but my confession upon returning was the first in something like 30 years. I didn’t have a list and wished I did but I got through it. Now I go to confession almost every week and I bring a list with me every time. It keeps me on track - I don’t forget and I don’t ramble on.

Drew, know that you are in my prayers. God’s peace be with you.

 

[Southern]

Last year, two weeks before Palm Sunday, I returned to the Church after 50+ years of wandering in the wilderness. When I said “Bless me, Father, it has been about 50 years since my last confession”, I expected the poor man to run screaming out of the confessional! But, he never even blinked! He gently and wisely led me by the hand and suddenly he was saying what was “Ego te absolve” the last time I went to confession, but is now “I absolve you”. I’m sure I walked out of the Church with a silly grin on my face! It certainly felt good.

WOW!!! That is AWESOME!!! GOD BLESS!!!

 

[Southern]

my story is similar to the others you’ve read here - it was 35 years between confessions for me and i absolutely dreaded going! When i started off with forgive me father for i have sinned. It’s been 35 years since my last confession, i was literally cringing in the confessional. And then the priest said welcome home! With such enthusiasm and sincere joy that it made me cry. In fact, i’m tearing up right now just remembering. And that was about 8 years ago.
Believe us all - going is worth the worry. You’ll feel much better for it. It took me a little while to really accept that god forgave me, but i did get there. And you will too.
God has not given up on you, i promise you. In fact, one of my most frequent prayers is one of thanks to jesus for not turning his back on me as i did to him. He will never turn his back on you. Just reach out to him - his hand is there, just waiting for you.
God bless you and keep you on your journey back to his arms!

awesome!!! God bless!!!

 

[zz912]

So I can really bring in my sins on paper and just read them off to the priest?

Yes, but please do DESTROY the paper after you are done. And destroy is the key word there. Don’t just throw it away. Make sure it is burn, shredded, whatever. But make sure the paper is completely destroyed.

 

[Drew518]

Well today is the day. Today I’m going to confession. And I gotta be honest, I’m really nervous. I broke down again and sinned again last night. I had worked so hard to stop and just gave in.

Any last minute advice?

 

[Memaw]

Well today is the day. Today I’m going to confession. And I gotta be honest, I’m really nervous. I broke down again and sinned again last night. I had worked so hard to stop and just gave in.

Any last minute advice?

Pray to Our Lady for the strength to do God’s will. And remember, with each Confession you will get stronger and stronger. Don’t become discourage,(the devil loves that).
Jesus said to trust in Him. He knows our weaknesses and he will help us overcome them. That’s why He gave us Confession in the first place. Maybe you could ask the Priest if there is someone he would recommend to be a spiritual director for you.Prayers and God Bless, Memaw

 

[JRKH]

Well today is the day. Today I’m going to confession. And I gotta be honest, I’m really nervous.

This is to be expected.
Just keep reminding yourself that you won’t tell Father anything he hasn’t heard before.

I broke down again and sinned again last night. I had worked so hard to stop and just gave in.

Any last minute advice?

Just remember that this is a journey. Set-backs are to be expected. Count every minute of resistance as a victory. Look for diversions and other interests to help keep your mind from dwelling on the sin.
And something I have found to be useful…When the temptation strikes…Laugh at it.
Sounds weird but I’m serious. It seems that the tempter does not like to be laughed at.
So laugh at the temptation with the attitude - “your not going to get me this time”…then call on Jesus and go off and do something else…or grab a rosary.
The tempter might not give up right away…but I assure you that if you truly trust in Jesus and make light of the temptation it will get easier…
At least it works for me.

Peace
James

 

[Drew518]

Well I did it. And honestly I feel better.

Of course this wasn’t without a few mishaps as is usually the case with me. I get to church and a wedding just finished. So I had to wait while they finished pictures. So I finally went in and saw the confessional and saw the priest sitting there. I got so scared and started having second thoughts. But I found myself going towards it and went in.

Mishap #1 - After turning the light on to kneel, I totally missed the kneeler and well into the wall. Ugh.

Anyway, I thought of more sins and confessed to them. I talked about my lust and envy and jealousy and saved the lustful things for last.

Mishap #2 - I had premarital sex with both my girlfriends. However when I said it, I said, “I had sex with my girlfriend”. I think God knew what I meant though; Ive prayed about this for a while so He already knew. He knows I am a bit of klutz.

Mishap #3 - After briefly talking with the priest about it, he asked me to say the Act of Contrition. Guess who forgot. :banghead:

Well he walked me through it and gave me my penance and it was over. I thought it would last longer. It really did seem like the priest had heard it before. Honestly, despite the mishaps, I feel free from all of it. I think God knew what I was sorry for and just wanted me to say it. I was going to stay for mass but decided to go back tomorrow morning; show God this isn’t just a one day thing. Im going to destroy the paper too later.

 

[JRKH]

:extrahappy: :bounce:

 

[Drew518]

Sorry to bring this thread back from the dead. But I just wanted to update. I’m going back to confession this Saturday. I failed again and need to do Penance. Satan ganged up on me when I was weak and twister my mind again. But he wont keep me from confessing. I have other stuff to confess to as well. Only issue is, I have to go to another parish to confess this time. I have to work Saturday evening and won’t be able to go my parish.

But I’m not waiting 7 years to confess again. I’m ready to show God that confession for me isn’t a one time deal and then I’m gone for another bunch of years. I’m going to show the Lord I mean to stay on the right track.

 

[Dorothy]

May the Lord be with you on your spiritual journey!

 

[zz912]

Sorry to bring this thread back from the dead. But I just wanted to update. I’m going back to confession this Saturday. I failed again and need to do Penance. Satan ganged up on me when I was weak and twister my mind again. But he wont keep me from confessing. I have other stuff to confess to as well. Only issue is, I have to go to another parish to confess this time. I have to work Saturday evening and won’t be able to go my parish.

But I’m not waiting 7 years to confess again. I’m ready to show God that confession for me isn’t a one time deal and then I’m gone for another bunch of years. I’m going to show the Lord I mean to stay on the right track.

Good for you! I would also recommend that you make Confession a regular part of your faith life. Confession at least once a month, or every other month, is a GREAT tool for keeping us free from sin, and to avoid mortal sins.