Hell for Unconfirmed

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pyrodude208

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I am a 17 year old, who has belief in the Catholic faith, but was raised in a Baptist church. As such, I have been baptized, but not confirmed, and therefore have not been able to participate in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. I am guilty of mortal sin. Will I go to Hell? I am starting RCIA.
 
Confirmation is only one of the means of receiving sanctifying grace. Your baptism has claimed you for Christ. You are in a sense, betrothed to Him. He wants you to be with Him in Heaven. As such, you should trust in His mercy and love to bring you home should you die before you come into full communion with His Church.

While the sacrament is reserved for full members of the faith, nothing precludes you from talking with a priest about your sin, nor does anything prevent you from making an act of contrition.

Bottom line, Christ came to save not to condemn. That’s in scripture. I don’t see him sending a 17-year-old striving to come into the faith based on a technicality. Remember, he was a carpenter…now a lawyer. Praise be to God for that.
 
Your journey isn’t over yet, and there will be many tests and trials. Rely always on God and long to do His Will. When you fall in sin, as we all do, be honest, get up and try again. Remember, it is usually the same EXACT sin we suffer with most of our lives. God said to pick up your cross. He didn’t say which cross would you like to pick up today.

Finally, heaven is reserved for those that through God’s Mercy, are permitted to enter.

Should you worry about going to hell? No, worry implies a lack of trust. Put faith and trust in God. Let Him lead and all will be well.
 
Dear Pyrodude,

Welcome home to the Church!

You will find that, for a sin to be mortal, it must be grave matter - meaning a clear violation of one of the Ten Commandments - **and **you must *clearly *understand that it is grave, **and **you must *completely *consent to do the sin.

Please read the Catechism on sin, #1854-1864. It explains more.

It’s easy to look back and see that we have committed grave sins. I certainly had a few when I converted, and that’s an understatement.

It’s less easy to determine if we had full understanding and full consent.

Since you are already baptized, the Sacrament you need is Confession. Sometime before Confirmation, your RCIA class will get it done.

In the meantime, you are protected by your *desire *to be forgiven and absolved. The Lord understands. He is Love; He is not waiting angrily to use your sins against you, but waiting patiently to forgive them through the Sacrament.

If you are deeply worried, go to your priest, and ask for the Sacrament ahead of schedule.

Welcome again! and God bless you,

Ruthie
P.S. One of the nicknames for converting is “swimming the Tiber,” the river that runs through Rome. So you will be Tiber Swim Team '09!
 
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