Hey guys, I need some advice

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EMD

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**I was raised Roman Catholic but my family was not strong in the faith. I’m 20 and have only been to confession 3 times in my life; at each confession I knowingly with held mortal sins. Over the past year I have been studying my faith and truly love it. 🙂

I’m trying to prepare myself for confession; I have even made a list (which is pretty long). I finally built up the courage to go but when I went the priest didn’t show up!! Now, I’m starting to get intimidated again. My problem is, is that there are a lot of sins that I’m so ashamed and embarrassed to say. I live in the south in a small town surrounded by other small towns and I’ve been trying to find a church that has a booth just because I’m too much of a coward to do a face to face confession. How do I muster the strength to confess all these things that I’ve done? :confused:**
 
EMD, you are what is known as a “big fish.” It makes the priest’s day when someone like you can come and straighten everything out and be reconciled to God and the Church.

I know you don’t want to face the priest, but, because you have a lifetime (albeit a short one!) of sins to confess (because withholding the mortal sins invalidated your previous confessions), it might take longer than would be fair if others were waiting in line behind you on a regular confession day. It would be a good idea to make an appointment for confession outside the regular times. Maybe the priest could meet you in the confessional instead of across the desk in his office.

Pray to your guardian angel and the Holy Spirit to help you to confess with sincerity and true sorrow.

When it’s over, you will be happy enough to float all the way home!

Betsy
 
EMD,

First of all, way to go! The fact that you are taking this beautifully important first step is fantastic. The fact that you’ve made a list is great, there is nothing at all wrong with that. A list can even help a priest to see that you really have examined your conscience.

Like you, I used to have a real fear of confession. The biggest thing that helped me with that fear was to go to confession more often. Before long, that fear was completely non-existant. Do not, I repeat, DO NOT for a second let whatever sins you are most ashamed of keep you from not only going to confession but confessing them. Those sins, the ones we think are unspeakable, they are the VERY REASON Jesus gave us this beautiful Sacrament. Whatever you have to say, I can guarantee you that the priest has heard it before. If he hasn’t heard it before, you’ll never know it. You simply won’t be able to shock him.

Always remember that you go into that “box” to visit Jesus and no one else. He is the person you will confess to and He is the one who will do all the forgiving. NO. MATTER. WHAT. His mercy is so very much larger than anything you could possibly confess. Also, keep in mind just how wonderful it is going to be to walk out of that Church knowing that God’s merciful grace has just been poured out on you. I bet you’ll float out of there.

Don’t wait! Go for it! Let God be your refuge and fear nothing! I’ll say a prayer for you to have the strength to take that step. Leave nothing out and your life will change, I guarantee it.

Peace!
Kolbe
 
That’s a great post, Kolbe.

Again, remember that it is Jesus you are approaching for forgiveness. This is the man who willingly let himself be tortured on behalf of Adolf Hitler, Nero, Al Bundy, and Pol Pot.

There is absolutely nothing you have done that he has not already seen and forgiven you for. Go to him and that forgiveness will be made a reality in your life.
 
Prayers for you.
I’m delighted to think of the peace you will afterwards feel.
You’ll need weights in your shoes to stay on the ground!!!
 
i was raised roman catholic but my family was not strong in the faith. I’m 20 and have only been to confession 3 times in my life; at each confession i knowingly with held mortal sins. Over the past year i have been studying my faith and truly love it. 🙂
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🙂 Excellent
i’m trying to prepare myself for confession; i have even made a list (which is pretty long).
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:eek:
I finally built up the courage to go but when i went the priest didn’t show up!!
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:tsktsk:
Now, i’m starting to get intimidated again. My problem is, is that there are a lot of sins that i’m so ashamed and embarrassed to say. I live in the south in a small town surrounded by other small towns and i’ve been trying to find a church that has a booth just because i’m too much of a coward to do a face to face confession.
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I would ask you why you feel intimidated? Please consider that all those people in the small town are simply God’s children just like you. Whose opinion matters more to you - that of Jesus or those people? Have you ever read about Saint Perpetua? I think you should. She was a wonderful woman about your age only she was in a bit tougher situation that you find yourself.

fordham.edu/halsall/source/perpetua.html

The advice you have received from others is very good. Especially about the end result of confession. Do you love God? If you come to a point where you fully realize your love of God then confession becomes a peaceful easy event. You will want to go because you will know the feeling of grace in your soul.
how do i muster the strength to confess all these things that i’ve done? :confused:
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“God, I need strength. Could you help me?” A simple prayer, but one based on trust.

God bless

p.s. You are not the only one with a long list:shrug:
 
Thanks guys for all the advice and encouragement :D!! I’m setting up an appointment for next week. Thank you guys again, I know I can do it. I can endure some embarresment for God’s love, grace, and forgivness. Thanks again :thankyou:!!
 
Hooray!! Don’t forget to come back and tell us how happy you are!

Betsy
 
EMD, just wanted to let you know I will be praying for you.
 
EMD,
I will be praying for you too! Remember that satan will use whatever he can to keep you away from Christ, including shame for the very things he tempted you with! Laugh at him and keep working you way toward God. Kolbe300 is right…the priest has heard everything before. Just remember how much you are loved by Jesus! He REALLY wants you home.
I wish you the very best!
 
EMD said:
**I was raised Roman Catholic but my family was not strong in the faith. I’m 20 and have only been to confession 3 times in my life; at each confession I knowingly with held mortal sins. Over the past year I have been studying my faith and truly love it. 🙂

I’m trying to prepare myself for confession; I have even made a list (which is pretty long). I finally built up the courage to go but when I went the priest didn’t show up!! Now, I’m starting to get intimidated again. My problem is, is that there are a lot of sins that I’m so ashamed and embarrassed to say. I live in the south in a small town surrounded by other small towns and I’ve been trying to find a church that has a booth just because I’m too much of a coward to do a face to face confession. How do I muster the strength to confess all these things that I’ve done? :confused:**
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There is no need to be shy about making a confession, The Priests have heard it all. You do not have to go into detail about each & every sin That U think U might have committed, a general confession may be in order, ask the Priest to help U along, If he is worth his salt he will.
You can say sins against purity, sins against chastity etc, no need to go into detail. Also I have gone face to face with some very embarassing sins, no need to fret, the Priests have heard it all & So Has God
 
Dear EDM i was in your shoes 20yrs ago,but i didn’t do as you are doing now. so now 20yrs later i am struggling with the wounds created in me by continuing in these sins for that long of time.Please do not make excuses not to recieve the sacrement of reconcillation,if you must be face to face so be it…for if left on your own it will be a sad life ahead for you(if it goes the way mine went because i was too embrassed to face my preist in face to face in reconcillation.)And don’t think about looking around for a different confessor in order that you do not have to face him at mass,cause your confessor will not judge you as a piece of dung for what you have done rather he will honor you as a person of faith.
 
One thing that I do before confession that helps me a lot is to remind myself that although I am talking at the priest, I am confessing to God. God already knows what the sins are so He won’t be surpirsed by what I have to say. Just let them rip and get them behind you so you can move on with your newly rejuvinated faith. God bless you. John
 
I’m a convert who could have given young St. Augustine a run for his money.

Are you familiar with Dicken’s A Christmas Carol? The ghost of Jacob Marley is wearing a long and heavy chain. When Scrooge asks him about it, he says, “I wear the chain I forged in life. I made it link by link, yard by yard…”

That is how I thought of my sins, as I approached my first confession. We didn’t have a proper confessional then, so I sat face to face with my wonderful priest, and read my list. Like you, I was afraid, but I dragged the whole chain in there.

Afterwards, I felt 40 pounds lighter, and clean!

Hang in there, brother. It gets better!

God bless you,

Ruthie
Tiber Swim Team '06
 
Hey guys, I’ve set an appointment for Thursday. I’m excited to go from all the wonderful things that I’ve read. I’m nervous but I guess that’s normal. Thanks to you all again for the encouragment :thankyou:. I’ll be sure to tell you guys how I feel afterwards. From what I’ve read I’ll bet I’ll feel like I can fly :D!
 
I just got back from my confession and feel amazing :extrahappy:! Now my sins are truely in my past. The priest was very nice and offered great advice. He also said that it was the best confession that he has heard in years :)! Thank you all again for the encouragement and advice.
 
Praise God in His mercy! Good for you…I am so happy for you.
God Bless you,
1momof4
 
EMD said:
I just got back from my confession and feel amazing :extrahappy:! Now my sins are truely in my past. The priest was very nice and offered great advice. He also said that it was the best confession that he has heard in years :)! Thank you all again for the encouragement and advice.
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Fantastic! Thanks for coming back to tell us. Now just keep going!

Betsy
 
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