First Confession

[jlr247]

Hi, I’m in RCIA and I’m kind of getting nervous about my first confession. Theres a lot of stuff I’m not even sure I’d be able to say out loud. I haven’t written it in a journal, told a friend or anything. I feel like I might end up tricking myself into “forgetting” or “rewording” some of my sins so that I don’t have to say what I’ve actually done. This bothers me a lot because I don’t want to mess it up.

So, I was going to ask, do they ever let you write a list of your sins, then hand it to the priest, and then you talk about them together? At least this way I won’t be able to chicken out, or “accidentally” miss parts.

 

[kleary]

Hi, I’m in RCIA and I’m kind of getting nervous about my first confession. Theres a lot of stuff I’m not even sure I’d be able to say out loud. I haven’t written it in a journal, told a friend or anything. I feel like I might end up tricking myself into “forgetting” or “rewording” some of my sins so that I don’t have to say what I’ve actually done. This bothers me a lot because I don’t want to mess it up.

So, I was going to ask, do they ever let you write a list of your sins, then hand it to the priest, and then you talk about them together? At least this way I won’t be able to chicken out, or “accidentally” miss parts.

Hi Jennifer,

You cannot give a piece of paper to the priest. You must confess your sins with your mouth to the priest. You can however bring the piece of paper with you and read a list of sins to the priest. (Just don’t confuse it with your shopping list.

If you feel embarrassed do not go face to face, go behind the screen. Be careful not to intentionally omit anything for any reason whatsoever.

HOWEVER - do not worry about accidentally ommitting any sin if you should forget. Just do your best to make a good confession.

Ken

 

[runandsew]

It helps me when I use the “sin list” of Father Larry Richards.
His CD on confession is very good.

 

[jlr247]

I just bookmarked that website, thanks!

 

[sea_oat]

Hi, I’m in RCIA and I’m kind of getting nervous about my first confession. Theres a lot of stuff I’m not even sure I’d be able to say out loud. I haven’t written it in a journal, told a friend or anything. I feel like I might end up tricking myself into “forgetting” or “rewording” some of my sins so that I don’t have to say what I’ve actually done. This bothers me a lot because I don’t want to mess it up.

So, I was going to ask, do they ever let you write a list of your sins, then hand it to the priest, and then you talk about them together? At least this way I won’t be able to chicken out, or “accidentally” miss parts.

I’m pretty sure you actually have to verbally confess your sins, and cannot merely hand over a sheet of paper.

If it makes you feel any better, though, everyone in the RCIA class is more than likely in the same boat as you. I know I was when I made my first confession! I have anxiety problems, so to say I was nervous would be a gross understatement. Additionally, I had incredibly loose morals throughout my teen years, and I did NOT want to admit some of the stuff I’d done. My body was literally shaking from my nerves, but I wrote everything I could remember on a piece of paper, brought it with me to confession, and read off the list.

Just try to relax as much as possible, and be honest, since it’s only a big deal while it’s happening. Immediately afterward, you’ll be glad to have gotten it over with, and off your chest, and it will feel great to receive absolution.

Remember, confessors cannot tell anyone else anything you’ve said. And whoever hears your confession probably won’t even remember most of what you said, anyway. On top of the fact that they generally have very busy schedules, imagine how many confessions, in total, they hear on any given week. Your confession will be a drop in the bucket.

Anyway, it seems to me like handing over a sheet of paper and having a discussion about your sins would actually seem way more stressful. If you clearly confess the wrongs you’ve done, that’s it. It’s over with when it comes out of your mouth, unless the confessor needs you to clarify or something. An inevitable discussion about sins you’ve written down would only drag things out longer.

I’ll be praying for you, and PM me if you want to discuss it or anything.

 

[Amateur_Soul]

I did first confession a couple years ago and you really don’t have anything to worry about. God forgives all sins – and the more you confess the better you will feel afterwards. Unfortunately my first confession was during a Communal Penance service so I felt kinid of rushed. But believe me, you will feel completed liberated afterwards. You don’t have to go in to explicit details, but be sure to confess everything you can recall.

 

[dawgfan]

It helps me when I use the “sin list” of Father Larry Richards.
His CD on confession is very good.

I have the same concerns as the OP. This is a good list to use. Sadly, there’s a lot are applicable to me. It may be a long confession

 

[ctybring]

I know exactly how you feel, it is not long time since I had my first confession. I was so nervous of how the priest would think of me afterwards since I had sins I was really embareced over. I can not say that the confession is something that is funny. I practised to acctually say the sins to myself in the mirror when i was home alone, I think that helps. Also I think it is a good idea to say the sins you are most afraid to say first.

Good luck