How to confess this sin

[Cipriano]

I’ve been falling into the sin of masturbation recently and want to go to confession but, I’m not quite sure what to say to the priest when confessing it as, I feel, it would be rather awkward to use that particular word.

I would appreciate any advice!

 

[Reynardus]

I’m pretty sure the priest will probably have heard that type of confession 195746833 times.

Don’t be afraid. Say your most embarassing sins first and it’ll go easier.

 

[LilyM]

I’m also a believer in calling a spade a spade and calling the m word the m word. It would have to be the single most commonly confessed sin of all, so if it’s any consolation he’s definitely heard it before.

If your sensibilities are a bit more delicate, of course, you can always say ‘I committed impure acts by myself’ and he’ll understand what it means.

 

[User_Name_Craig]

I have heard a priest say it like this “I have been impure with myself”

Might I suggest that you use the M word as the ‘impure’ doesnt invoke the same sense of shame and humiliation - which we often need to snap us out of our sin. I found this to be tremendously healing in the sense that I never wanted to be in that situation ever again.

You are supposed to confess the number and kind so i guess you also need to tell the Priest how ofted you are impure with yourself.

Rather than say 9,972 times since my last confession, why not say that you commit this sin daily, almost daily, few times a week, etc.

Good luck and may this confession heal you permanently.

God bless

 

[GemmaRose]

I agree with the previous posters. No matter exactly how you say it - using the m word or impure acts while by yourself, the priest has heard this sin confessed a gazillion times. You won’t shock him. You won’t embarass him, and he will understand that it’s embarassing for you to confess it. (I don’t think there’s anyone who feels comfortable confessing it!)

It’s also helpful to have a regular confessor. When you do, it’s easier to get more personalized advice regarding certain sins or sinful habits.

And if you do go to the same priest regularly for Confession, don’t think that he’ll feel there’s something wrong with you if you need to confess this sin every time you go to Confession. On the contrary… I’m sure his impression will be of a sincere Catholic trying to overcome a sin in his life with God’s grace which is received after a good Confession.

God bless.

 

[EmeraldWings]

another thing to take into consideration is that confession is an act of humility, when you go into the confessional and tell your sins, you are humbling yourself and confessing to God that you are a sinner

but you know what, chances are(unless the priest knows you that well) that the priest won’t even remember your confession, and even if he knows you, the priest hears so many confessions that he doesn’t remember what was said by who, or even all the sins that were confessed,
and i also know, that God does give priests the ability to forget what’s said in the confessional,

but anyways, if you need help wording your sins, you can just say “i committed this many acts of impurity, alone”
and the priest will know what you mean,

although if you are uncomfortable going to a priest you know, we are told that there is nothing wrong with going to another priest for confession. because it’s more important to confess your sins right away, and if you are putting it off because you’re afraid to go to a priest you know, then it’s not worth it(unless you can face your fears)
but it’s really just more important to go to confession as soon as possible, rather then worry about what priest to go to.

 

[Newbie2]

I used “impurity” once in confession and the priest asked, “You mean masturbation?”

They’ve heard it all before.

Use the M word…the more you let it out, the better you’ll feel after being forgiven of it. Sure, it’s embarrasing, all sin is and should be. Thankfully we have this sacrament.

 

[gmags2003]

Self gratification through manual hand labor

 

[Caesar517]

Self gratification through manual hand labor

That would certainly get the point across.

 

[mangy_dog]

I’ve been falling into the sin of masturbation recently and want to go to confession but, I’m not quite sure what to say to the priest when confessing it as, I feel, it would be rather awkward to use that particular word.

I would appreciate any advice!

“sins of impurity with myself” or “against my body”.
“giving in to impure thoughts and self gratification”.

Hope this helps.

Pax Domini sit semper vobiscum.

 

[PHX_Paul]

I’ve been falling into the sin of masturbation recently and want to go to confession but, I’m not quite sure what to say to the priest when confessing it as, I feel, it would be rather awkward to use that particular word.

I would appreciate any advice!

Priests have heard it all.

I gave a life’s confession once because I’m a convert. The good and ever patient priest was kind enough to allow me to bring notes—9 pages worth! After he heard my sordid confession and gave me absolution, he said “you had better burn those notes…some of that is pretty juicing reading!”

Paul