How to prepare for confession

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eli1118

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Hi. I have recently returned to my faith due to some time away from practice b/c of the loss of my mother and dealing with that loss.
I am now reading and wanting to pass on this wonderful faith to my son.
I would like to confess after about 10 years:eek:
What is the best way to do that? any books on the subject?
I would appreciate any help.
thanks.
 
Check around online. There is a lot there. You might ask your priest, or just show up and tell the priest the situation and let him take it from there.
 
Fr. Pat’s Reconciliation Page or C’mon Back for starters.

Many of us have been there and done that. There are many good examination of consciences on line. I was away for a good many years myself. I did my examination of conscience over a span of several weeks or months, probably. Finally got up the nerve to go, and one afternoon just showed up. It was short, sweet, and life-changing. God’s Mercy is just awesome.

There are many books - A Guidebook for Confession, Pardon and Peace: A Sinner’s Guide to Confession; Lord Have Mercy: The Healing Power of Confession, 101 Inspirational Stories of the Sacrament of Reconciliation… just for starters.
 
This is very helpful. I am a bit nervous about going. I will tell you this, when I go and I will, it won’t be face to face. I will definitely use the confessional. I appreciate your honesty arcadia.🙂
 
why not face to face? I find it more nerve wracking sittin in that little dark box. Remember this: it is Jesus that you are confessing to, through the priest. aint nothing he hasn’t heard. good luck and God Bless you on your journey home.
 
I will tell you this, too.

When I DID go back, I picked a priest that I knew well. I wanted someone who I knew would meet me with mercy and kindness. And I went face to face because I don’t like talking to people I can’t see. There was some big “stuff” there, but he never batted an eye, didn’t fall off of his chair and didn’t gasp in horror. I knew it was Jesus that I was talking to, and the good Father was there only in His place.

But face to face vs. behind the screen is strictly a personal preference. Your parish or one clear across town or a parish that you visit on vacation. Whatever works for you. Just go!

You’ll be in my prayers.
 
I am working on going. I hope to do it before Easter Sunday!! We will see. I truly appreciate the prayers.
 
Another thing - pray for the priest whom you will go to Confession to that He would speak what you need to hear and you need to hear what Jesus speaks to you through the priest. Don’t under-estimate of this praying.

God bless you!
 
Second what water posted. I always try to pray in front of the blessed sacrament for a few minutes, praying that Jesus will illuminate my mind to things I didn’t know were troubling me (it really works!) and asking him for the grace to be able to confess with humility and confidence my sins to his representative the priest.

Also, when it’s a tough confession, I ask that he will tell me what I need to hear through the priest. Once or twice a priest I knew well said some things that were out of character for them, I felt like i was on a cloud after.

Confession is the ultimate teacher of humility.

Welcome home ellie118! It is a wonderful place 😃
 
Were you fallen away for 10 years? Or did you mean, that you hadn’t been to Confession in 10 years?

I was fallen away from the practice of the Catholic faith… for 10 years, myself. I would suggest that you develop a devotion to Our Lady of Mount Carmel (find a brown scapular, and wear it!). This is the way which Our Blessed Mother brought me back. I was at a very low point in my life… and her intervention was unsolicited (meaning, that I did not pray to her… for help, or anything; I can’t explain it… other than to say, that she reached out to me… with great love and mercy… and led me back to her Son).

I have often heard it said… that devotion to Our Blessed Mother is a very short, easy route to God. She is one of the BEST friends we can have. Hope this helps in some way. God bless. ❤️ :love: ❤️
 
Wow, you guys just keep amazing me. I so appreciate the wonderful support and kind words.
I didn’t stop practicing for ten years I just haven’t confessed in that long. I never stopped believing but I did stop going to mass after my mom passed away almost 8 years ago—I was very hurt, depressed and confused. I had never had such a loss in my life. I was very close to her.
But now things are so much better. I want to do what I think she would want me to do for me and my little one.
So, everything you guys say helps a ton. This site has truly been a blessing.
:console:
 
Friends,
I went to confession today. I feel wonderful. Thanks for all the support.
How often do you guys go to confession?
 
eli1118 said:
Friends,
I went to confession today. I feel wonderful. Thanks for all the support.
How often do you guys go to confession?
Click to expand...
Just read thru your thread. Good for you, great feeling!

I try to go once a month, more if needed. For what it’s worth, seems easier the more often you go…👍
 
Sounds good. I am going to try to keep it up. It is great to be home.
 
I’m so glad you made it - and in plenty of time for Easter!

Until Christmas of 2006, we were on the once-a-year confession plan. Then my 11 year old asked why we only went once a year. I couldn’t answer that, and had been entertaining the idea of more frequent confession anyway. So I took that opportunity, and we started going every 3 months. This year, I figure maybe I’ll cut it back to every 2 months and see if we live to tell about it. We went in early December and again in early February, so we’re doing OK. It is just so difficult to hit that 30 minute window on Saturday afternoons, sometimes.
 
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