Holy Week and Messing up this Lent

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tarnishedhalo

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I’ve “trolled” these forums off and on for sometime and this is my first post. I’m a cradle Catholic (for perspective).

I have been a horrible sinner this past Lent. I’m not certain why I am here except that I need a place to get this off my chest. My biggest offense is the sin of lust; and some very serious sins of lust I might addd. I’ve also missed mass, and have taken the Eucharist with these sins on my soul.

I missed Palm Sunday mass yesterday but today I am feeling regret and remorse about my actions this past Lent. I feel like human garbage to be quite blunt. This week is Holy Week and it is causing me to think about what I’ve done. I know this is NOT the attitude to have but sometimes I just feel so dejected that I ask, “Why bother?” I messed up so, so, so bad the past 33 days feeding most bodily desires it seems crazy to even try this week.

I know that is wrong thinking; but it is how I feel.

Where do I start? What should I do? I was thinking about going to confession as a first step. Then, perhaps, saying the Rosary each day. Observing Good Friday as a Catholic should. And of course, refrain from the sin I keep going back to.

No need to reply to this post unless you want. I just needed a place to start.

Thanks for reading / listening.
 
The first thing to do is to pull yourself together, pick up the phone and make an appointment with a priest for confession ASAP. Holy week is the busiest time of the year for priests, so you might have to try more than one. Then you should also make it a priority to participate, as much as possible, in Holy Week. You also need to start removing these “occasions of sin” from your life. It is just a matter of making up your mind that from now on, you will do the right thing, and then DO it. Lucky for us, the Sunday after Easter is Divine Mercy Sunday; it is a great day for the Lord to remind us, no matter how much we mess up, he is always there with forgiveness and oceans of mercy!
 
Catholic1954 said:
The first thing to do is to pull yourself together, pick up the phone and make an appointment with a priest for confession ASAP. Holy week is the busiest time of the year for priests, so you might have to try more than one. Then you should also make it a priority to participate, as much as possible, in Holy Week. You also need to start removing these “occasions of sin” from your life. It is just a matter of making up your mind that from now on, you will do the right thing, and then DO it. Lucky for us, the Sunday after Easter is Divine Mercy Sunday; it is a great day for the Lord to remind us, no matter how much we mess up, he is always there with forgiveness and oceans of mercy!
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I have to second what Catholic1954 said. Getting yourself back on the right track is a choice you make. Here is an act of contrition for you to repeat to yourself as often as you can to get your mind in line with God:
My God, I am sorry for my sins with all my heart. In choosing to do wrong and failing to do good, I have sinned against You, Whom I should love above all things. I firmly intend, with Your help, to do penance, to sin no more, and to avoid whatever leads me to sin. Our Savior Jesus Christ suffered and died for us. In His name, my God, have mercy.
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Also, don’t rely only on yourself. Rely on God’s mercy and His love and keep praying for His mercy: “Jesus, I trust in You.” You are in my prayers.
 
What hunho said. Start by making the phone call for an appointment for reconciliation.
Then pray for the Holy Spirit to help you along the way.
 
tarnishedhalo said:
I’ve
Where do I start? What should I do? I was thinking about going to confession as a first step. g.
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well there is your answer, a public forum is not the place for a detailed confession but fortunately the Church has provided the place for it, God bless you and may you enjoy the peace of forgiveness as a fitting preparation for Easter joy. please call as soon as your parish office opens because there probably won’t be confessions later in the week.
 
God bless you, tarnishedhalo!

Yes, go to confession. In addition to what others have said, I would just add that if you live in a large city, call around - there is often a parish or two that offers confession times during Holy Week, sometimes right up until Holy Saturday morning. Expect to be in line a LONG time. You’ll find that you aren’t the only one who starts reflecting at the end of Lent.
 
Try this:

Confession today.

Assist in the Easter Tritium Liturgy while observing complete fast throughout.

Fasting is a spiritual necessity as it will condition you toward mastering your unruly carnal appetites.
 
tarnishedhalo said:
Where do I start? What should I do? I was thinking about going to confession as a first step. Then, perhaps, saying the Rosary each day. Observing Good Friday as a Catholic should. And of course, refrain from the sin I keep going back to.
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Hi Tarnished Halo,

As you pointed out, without a miracle, people will fall into sin. But we have miracles available to us. However, to receive these graces you need to get to know God better.

Yes, go to Good Friday service, but it sounds like you need to spend more time in prayer begging for God’s help. Perhaps you could start saying the rosary every day, for example. Offer the rosaries as a petition for God to give you the strength you need to overcome those sins. Focus on growing closer to God, instead of focusing on how you don’t think you can overcome the temptations. Leave that up to God.
 
Remember the parable about the owner of the field who paid all his worker’s an equal wage? those that started early in the morning got the same wage as those who started 1 hr before quitting time! So if you’re late to the “ball game” you will still receive God’s graces! So you missed the first 30 or so days of Lent. Make this last week of Lent a good one–repent, fast, pray this week
 
Hi

The above posts are great.

All the sins in the world are but a drop in the Ocean of God’s Mercy. I messed up too, badly. Try to get hold of a priest. If this is not possible, talk to God from your heart. The Triduum is almost upon us, and, as mentioned, Divine Mercy Sunday is the Sunday after Easter.

Have a Great Easter.
 
Hi

I just had to respond to this.

Like the OP, I had a ****** Lent and messed up too many times and I know what I must do, but at the same time I don’t want to. I know just how busy priests are at this time of year I am pretty bust with school right now, so it’s altogether impossible it seems to actually get away and confess :confused:. I am so looking forward to the Triduum this year though. My favourite time of year, in fact.

Chantal
 
ChantalM said:
Hi

I just had to respond to this.

Like the OP, I had a ****** Lent and messed up too many times and I know what I must do, but at the same time I don’t want to. I know just how busy priests are at this time of year I am pretty bust with school right now, so it’s altogether impossible it seems to actually get away and confess :confused:. I am so looking forward to the Triduum this year though. My favourite time of year, in fact.

Chantal
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Make an act of will and choose to make your confession. Is anything more important than your relationship with God? (I promise you that He doesn’t think so!) Make this act of contrition to get your mind lined up with God and trust in His mercy to get through whatever you need to do to “get right” with Him. Find a priest and make your confession. For an act of contrition, try this one:

My God, I am sorry for my sins with all my heart. In choosing to do wrong and failing to do good, I have sinned against You, Whom I should love above all things. I firmly intend, with Your help, to do penance, to sin no more, and to avoid whatever leads me to sin. Our Savior Jesus Christ suffered and died for us. In His name, my God, have mercy.

And remember this prayer: “Jesus, I trust in you.” God bless you and strengthen you. Amen.
 
Here are some good words to meditate on from Saint John Chrysostom’s Paschal Homily:

"If anyone has labored from the first hour, let him today receive his just reward. If anyone has come at the third hour, with thanksgiving let him keep the feast. If anyone has arrived at the sixth hour, let him have no misgivings; for he shall suffer no loss. If anyone has delayed until the ninth hour, let him draw near without hesitation. If anyone has arrived even at the eleventh hour, let him not fear on account of his delay. For the Master is gracious and receives the last, even as the first; he gives rest to him that comes at the eleventh hour, just as to him who has labored from the first. He has mercy upon the last and cares for the first; to the one he gives, and to the other he is gracious. He both honors the work and: praises the intention.

“Enter all of you, therefore, into the joy of our Lord, and, whether first or last, receive your reward. O rich and poor, one with another, dance for joy! O you ascetics and you negligent, celebrate the day! You that have fasted and you that have disregarded the fast, rejoice today! The table is rich-laden; feast royally, all of you!”
 
ChantalM said:
I know just how busy priests are at this time of year
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Don’t let that keep you from confession. A lot of priests at a lot of parishes set aside extra time over the next three days for confessions. If your parish has a website, the extra times might be listed there (or they might be listed in the church bulletin).
 
Well, you may have screwed up lent but there is still time to get it right. Tomorrow is Good Friday. we are going to the EF service. It starts with the Rosary, then Stations of the Cross. Followed by the Good Friday service (with chanting of the Gospel of St. John). Confessions before and after. Then we do the long drive home (120 miles) and go to our local parish for Veneration of the Cross.

As others have mentioned, Confession is your most important first step. I would also like to recommend that you seek out an Adoration chapel and spend an hour each week, if not more, in the prescence of our Lord. This is the step that has helped me most after Mass attendence.

God Bless you as you seek our Lord.
 
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