Going to Confession

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thistle:
I totally agree with you. That’s what I did. I made an appointment with the priest for a face to face confession. In fact he finished a baptism and we just sat in the pews of the church. All my guilt and fears disappeared and when he said “I absolve you from your sins in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit” I cried. After he left I sat in the church praying for a while. That day was the happiest and most at peace I have been for years and years.
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:amen: And, Ram, be sure you don’t pussyfoot around those sins that are hard to confess – the ones that make you squirm. You know what they are as well as I do. Name 'em and claim 'em and get rid of 'em for GOOD!
 
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TheRam:
I am 42 comming up this November 7th…i remember going to my first confession as a child, and again that year with my class.

I attended catholic elementary school (up to gr. 8) In those years i remember getting my first communion and then in gr. 8 choosing a sponsor, a new name for my Confirmation and never felt more spiritual then at that time.

since that young and tender first two times that i went to confession as a child, i have never ever been to one again. I have never left the church, but now seem to be drawn to it so deeply. I am very afraid…actually terrified. I can not seem to muster up enough strength to tell someone of deep faith my wrongs, be truly sorry, and it devistates me to think of them being disapointed in me.

I have simply not forgotten to ask for forgiveness, as i deeply pledge to my holy father what i have done wrong, and ask him to forgive me…i simply have not gone to church face to face with a priest to do so.

What makes this fear so terribly real, to get to the door of the church, and vomit, choke and go home. It is not the sin, it is telling a stranger that scares me…i’ve already discussed this in great detail with God, but i can not get past the other.

Allana
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Allana,
There’s not much I can add to all of the above suggestions, but I will promise to pray for you every day. I’ll pray that you’ll find the courage to experience the wonderful sacrament of Reconciliation that was given to us by Our Lord. Please don’t deprive yourself of the forgiveness that Jesus wants to give you in this sacrament. Priests deal with this kind of thing all of the time. Just make an appointment and tell him the same thing you told us. Don’t worry about not remembering the proper words to say… the priest will lead you through it.

Please let us know how you make out and remember… I’ll be praying!

God Bless,
Gary
 
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TheRam:
Its a sacriment?..How did i miss this part in my education? Having someone make the apointment for me might help, then he will know why i am there before i open my mouth. The only part i remember is, “Father forgive me for i have sinned, it has been since my first confession as a child since my last confession.” and somewhere i say, “for these and all my sins, i am truly sorry.” I do not remember anything else…i have tried to remember so many times, and i simply do not recall the walk through apointed sayings.
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Yes, it is a sacrament, the sacrament of reconciliation. You are so blessed to be a Catholic and to have this sacrament.

Believe me, I understand your apprehension. I have been there myself. If all you remember is “Father forgive me…” you will be just fine. It helps to do a thorough examination of your conscience before hand, and write down any mortal sins you have committed. Here is a link to a good site for helping you to examine your conscience:

frpat.com/examen.htm

If you just type in “examination of conscience” into Yahoo or Google, you can find many more examples. Don’t be alarmed reading through these to realize how many sins you have committed. It will make it easier for you, since you are nervous, if you write down your sins, so that you don’t forget them. You can also write down the act of contrition if you want, but in any event the priest will be very patient with you and let you know what you need to do.

I hope you do this. It is easier than you think, and you will leave walking on air.
 
Allana and the Ram

I love the Sacrament of Reconciliation (Confession). I hate sinning but love knowing I’m forgiven. Its refreshing to humble yourself. Some people go to different parishes where nobody will know them. Personally I go to my home parish because I like to go early and reflect on all aspects of Catholicism that pop into my feeble brain at that time in a place I call home 🙂

For my first confession it was made clear to me that the Priest did not want to hear nor did he expect me to remember all of my sins. He was so nice for the first few times if I would forget to do or say something he would gently remind me of what should be done and then say to me “That’s okay lets continue”. I believe they dearly love hearing from those who have come home. I have been told by several priest that those are their favorites. Do face to face with your list…or set up a time… don’t do a half hour confession during regular hours.
 
First of all, thank you from the bottom of my heart for sharing, caring and gently guiding me…without condeming me. Some threads in the past here have honestly ripped my heart out, and i was scared to go back.

To the half a dozen i found this afternoon who have so kindly offered help, God bless you! For all of my fears, i did do something about it today.

Now had i read this earlier, i would have been aware of the significance of not recieving the host in my delema. I was not aware of this as wrong. I do not know much of church rules, but i do have a wonderful, close, and deeply spiritual personal relationship with the Lord. I, out of ignorace of the facts remember hearing, that the more often you recieve this form of spiritual food, the stronger we can follow his word. So especially when i was so down and spiritually lost, i came to his arms at church…looking for his embrace, his food and his love.

I did go to church, recieved the host, tarried afterwards, and was amazed. I talked with the priest for 1 1/2 hours. He was gentle, kind, and very much ~ lovingly delivered so much information for me. It was then that i learned that in this case, i should not recieve untill i clear this up. I had no idea of the impact, nor the immediate reaction i fell apart with…i had not taught my son this, and in dieing 20 months ago, i fear i have robbed him of this gift. I felt terrible. Confused, and wondering if i had sinned against my sons existance, as it is my job to give him the tools for life.
He said i was honestly upset out of fear and he asked if i could come back Saturday at 4:00. He said that he will be have the blessed sacriment out for adoration for that hour before mass at 5:00 and for me to pray on my knees before it, then come behind the altar to share in this lovely experience. He wanted me to think about it, feel no fear, think about how i may have offended God, other people, and myself. that was enough for the first time. He said a half hour will be about what we will need, and all the rest will be no different than how we are talking now…asking each other questions. But the results will be more prescious.

Follow this up, he said, with a mass…recieve the Eucerist in proper devotion…and my heart will feel the difference. I promise you are ready, are spiritually grounded, but you need this, and i will help you achieve this freedom and gift to you. I know you mean it, now you are ready. Now go home, read up on the proceedure if you can, if not, i will be there…together we will get you to this special place. Do not be afraid, you have nothing to fear at all.

And we parted ways, with his calling, i look forward to our visit next Saturday…Peace!

Not a single disapointing look, harsh word, condemnation…it was so delivered from the arms of the Lord.

I am so happy, and i havent even done it yet…but i will!
 
the Ram Isn’t life fun. The fear of confession is like going up the top of a rollercoaster fearing what will happen next and yet with the rollercoaster we know we will be yelling yeeee. Actually I feel like doing that after confession. When I went to RCIA they gave me a sheet from newadvent.com that spells out clearly what to say when. I still bring my old friend every time. Thanks be to GOD
 
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TheRam:
First of all, thank you from the bottom of my heart for sharing, caring and gently guiding me…without condeming me. Some threads in the past here have honestly ripped my heart out, and i was scared to go back.

To the half a dozen i found this afternoon who have so kindly offered help, God bless you! For all of my fears, i did do something about it today.

Now had i read this earlier, i would have been aware of the significance of not recieving the host in my delema. I was not aware of this as wrong. I do not know much of church rules, but i do have a wonderful, close, and deeply spiritual personal relationship with the Lord. I, out of ignorace of the facts remember hearing, that the more often you recieve this form of spiritual food, the stronger we can follow his word. So especially when i was so down and spiritually lost, i came to his arms at church…looking for his embrace, his food and his love.

I did go to church, recieved the host, tarried afterwards, and was amazed. I talked with the priest for 1 1/2 hours. He was gentle, kind, and very much ~ lovingly delivered so much information for me. It was then that i learned that in this case, i should not recieve untill i clear this up. I had no idea of the impact, nor the immediate reaction i fell apart with…i had not taught my son this, and in dieing 20 months ago, i fear i have robbed him of this gift. I felt terrible. Confused, and wondering if i had sinned against my sons existance, as it is my job to give him the tools for life.
He said i was honestly upset out of fear and he asked if i could come back Saturday at 4:00. He said that he will be have the blessed sacriment out for adoration for that hour before mass at 5:00 and for me to pray on my knees before it, then come behind the altar to share in this lovely experience. He wanted me to think about it, feel no fear, think about how i may have offended God, other people, and myself. that was enough for the first time. He said a half hour will be about what we will need, and all the rest will be no different than how we are talking now…asking each other questions. But the results will be more prescious.

Follow this up, he said, with a mass…recieve the Eucerist in proper devotion…and my heart will feel the difference. I promise you are ready, are spiritually grounded, but you need this, and i will help you achieve this freedom and gift to you. I know you mean it, now you are ready. Now go home, read up on the proceedure if you can, if not, i will be there…together we will get you to this special place. Do not be afraid, you have nothing to fear at all.

And we parted ways, with his calling, i look forward to our visit next Saturday…Peace!

Not a single disapointing look, harsh word, condemnation…it was so delivered from the arms of the Lord.

I am so happy, and i havent even done it yet…but i will!
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Ram,

You lost your SON 20 months ago? Oh my Dear Heart! Surely he has interceded for you and brought you this miracle! God works the most amazing things out of tragedy.

😉 Told you the Priest would understand, didn’t we?
 
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mercygate:
Ram,

You lost your SON 20 months ago? Oh my Dear Heart! Surely he has interceded for you and brought you this miracle! God works the most amazing things out of tragedy.

😉 Told you the Priest would understand, didn’t we?
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Yep, my baby boy was almost 19 and almost a graduate of high school. He was terminally ill since the age of 7, was prayed over at a healing mass…walked, and did so much and live a more holy life than i could teach. he lived every day with god walking right beside him, talked to him, asked great things of like the understanding of his feelings those days, help him see the gift of that day as he saw God as his devine teacher, and always lived to learn these lessons with glee. He was a quiet funny boy with the sense of more men than i ever met.

My father took him under his wing, after we fled my first marriage from Homosexual, sexual, physical and most horibly…emotional abuses. We lived alone, beaten, running for our lives for so many years, and he smiled each day wondering why god had to teach us that. My father is a very honest, holy, and chivilrous man…one of the old code. My son emulated, asked, and learned daily how to get closer to god…always…in every conversation with him.

My son, realizing in a second marriage how abandoned i was once again, with two siblings, never asked a single question, he assumed the role of parent along side of me. He gently taught them about Jesus, his love, and his kindness…as god is a kind and gently Father who loves them dearly. He did the night time feedings…on his oxygen turning blue, hemade the lunches, he buckled them in, and he always discussed their future, and how we need them on the lords path.

He was my partner in life in so many ways, he was my everything, my conscience, my heart, and my joy. I knew his thoughts before he spoke them, and we laughed often that we had so few friends each, but we liked each others company, sneaking out for a movie once the kids were in bed and left with daddy…simple things. He was hope, he is why i feel such a void, as i am without this love in my life, and feel a lac of purpose, because i know my kids need me, but not the same way i needed my son.

he has been in others dreams telling them that he is near me, and trying desperately to help me to lessen my anger at life, as he wants more for me, and the girls…and to pass the message. Kids from his highschool have called me, and i have not even known them…to deliver this.

But the ache is almost like a magnetic pull going inwards at my heart/chest. I know he is in a place to finally get the unconditional love of a Father finally and he loves God dearly. It is my human selfishness that wants to hold him, tuck him in, buy him his uniform for High School…he adored, to see the silly toys he still wanted, like Strider fron Lord of the Rings…sitting on his desk as a person he identified with…moving on for the good of all, and the belief in goodness…all the struggles, but all the hope. All this amung his cool desk, computer, stereo, and little toys here and there. Never hidden, just enjoyed.





this was taken by my friend, as i was gazing up at the pictures on a huge screen durring his graduation ceremony as a tribute to his memory…as he was in theatre, so there were many pics…all smiling so deeply.

Maybe today he is smiling at me…that would be sweet!
 
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TheRam:
he has been in others dreams telling them that he is near me, and trying desperately to help me to lessen my anger at life, as he wants more for me, and the girls…and to pass the message. Kids from his highschool have called me, and i have not even known them…to deliver this.

But the ache is almost like a magnetic pull going inwards at my heart/chest. I know he is in a place to finally get the unconditional love of a Father finally and he loves God dearly. It is my human selfishness that wants to hold him, tuck him in, buy him his uniform for High School…he adored, to see the silly toys he still wanted, like Strider fron Lord of the Rings…sitting on his desk as a person he identified with…moving on for the good of all, and the belief in goodness…all the struggles, but all the hope. All this amung his cool desk, computer, stereo, and little toys here and there. Never hidden, just enjoyed. . . . .Maybe today he is smiling at me…that would be sweet!
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I am speechless with awe and joy for you today. I am sure your son has obtained theee monumental gracees for you through his intercession . . . The Boss is calling you to be near himself now, and by being nearer to God, you will be nearer to your Son.
 
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mercygate:
I am speechless with awe and joy for you today. I am sure your son has obtained theee monumental gracees for you through his intercession . . . The Boss is calling you to be near himself now, and by being nearer to God, you will be nearer to your Son.
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Do you think so…oh how wonderful that would be…if i can not look into his deep brown eyes, i must love the deeds he can interceed with. I pray for his soul, and the closer to God the better, as this was his life achievement. I had no idea, that confession would have brought him closer…a shame really. But he is a strong boy of heart, soul and spirit…he will never give up…it is not in his nature. Now for me to live by HIS example…this would be awsome.
 
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TheRam:
Do you think so…oh how wonderful that would be…if i can not look into his deep brown eyes, i must love the deeds he can interceed with. I pray for his soul, and the closer to God the better, as this was his life achievement. I had no idea, that confession would have brought him closer…a shame really. But he is a strong boy of heart, soul and spirit…he will never give up…it is not in his nature. Now for me to live by HIS example…this would be awsome.
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. . . and a little child shall lead them.

Maybe not so little, but it works just the same.
 
Wow, thank you for sharing your story and the story of your son. I am moved to tears, and I am so happy that you are moving closer and closer to God. That is what the sacrament of reconciliation is all about. Your priest sounds wonderful, by the way.

Thistle, aren’t you so happy you started this thread?
 
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dulcissima:
Wow, thank you for sharing your story and the story of your son. I am moved to tears, and I am so happy that you are moving closer and closer to God. That is what the sacrament of reconciliation is all about. Your priest sounds wonderful, by the way.

Thistle, aren’t you so happy you started this thread?
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I know i am…my priest is new, barely here a month from out in BC, Canada. I know now i can go to church feeling properly guided.
 
TheRam you made my day thnakyou. Sacrament of confession approaching God as a child asking to be forgiven expecting we will if done properly. You know know earlier today I was thinking does confession lead me the eucharist or the eucharist lead me to confession. Let us know how it goes
 
the Ram I’m sorry I missed the line about your son. 😦 Lord I have prayed numerous times for you), I hope you love your online brothers and sisters. Your story is moving…truely. I am praying confession is fun (I love it…see above) I’m confused by your story did you get remarried or am I having a brain fart. I now know your son’s name (great photo) not yours, but will pray with out ceassing for both of you. I will now say a Gloria for you AMEN. Done
 
I am so pleased with this thread. Great job all.

I can speak for myself how difficult this issue is.

This was the very last item I held out on before my complete revertion.

I too, felt it was good enough just to pray to God for forgiveness.

What changed for me was that I had just finished my research on Bible history and realized that the New Testament was extremly realiable(unchanged).
Well guess what next Sunday’s Gospel was…yep…John20: 21-23

21 Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.”
22 And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the holy Spirit.
23 Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained.” (hearing this my response was :bigyikes: )

Well next Saturday I was at confession. :rolleyes:

Also, nothing should prevent you from going, I am very active in my parish and I would not feel comfortable going to my pastor. I selected another nearby parish to go just for confession.

Beebs
 
Beebs and The Ram is not confession fun…seriously its fun. i mean don’t you look forward to taking the eucharist with a clean heart and mind and soul and I wish divinity. still again i wonder again what is more important confession or eucharist?? I think confession cause without it one can’t take the eucharist correctly. My GOD TheRram thank Thistle for this all, you’ll never know how HE works. Look mosher and deacon ed, brother etc could have not highjacked this. It’s the stupid people of GOD, I hope and trust’s HE loves to kiss and hug us…I pray for it on bad days and hope for it on good days. And it works…when you ask for for a hug and kiss it will come ASAP.

RAM I would love to tell you how I got here. It was dark. But you got light… Thank GOD
 
hilde the dog:
Beebs and The Ram is not confession fun…seriously its fun. i mean don’t you look forward to taking the eucharist with a clean heart and mind and soul and I wish divinity. still again i wonder again what is more important confession or eucharist?? I think confession cause without it one can’t take the eucharist correctly. My GOD TheRram thank Thistle for this all, you’ll never know how HE works. Look mosher and deacon ed, brother etc could have not highjacked this. It’s the stupid people of GOD, I hope and trust’s HE loves to kiss and hug us…I pray for it on bad days and hope for it on good days. And it works…when you ask for for a hug and kiss it will come ASAP.

RAM I would love to tell you how I got here. It was dark. But you got light… Thank GOD
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Not just that but I am also a lector. I like to have a clean heart when I proclaim God’s words, especially when the reading is proclaiming repentance. :rolleyes:

The only sad part about going is there is no line to wait in.

I pray our brother and sisters will give up their fears and return to going to confession.

Beebs
 
BEEBS My reading from Sunday from Sirach was FUN. (I was filling in for another Lector) (As an old calvinist this is new, Sirac )I mean is new) All about vengence and hate… MY GOD I love being Catholic … and then if you repent of sins …YEAH… 👍 I hope Ram and Thistle are okay, as I have heard from them lately.
 
hilde the dog:
BEEBS My reading from Sunday from Sirach was FUN. (I was filling in for another Lector) (As an old calvinist this is new, Sirac )I mean is new) All about vengence and hate… MY GOD I love being Catholic … and then if you repent of sins …YEAH… 👍 I hope Ram and Thistle are okay, as I have heard from them lately.
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Yep, I read that Sunday too.
Beebs
 
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