"I Was Away from the Church for 17 Years. Now I want to Return. Where Do I Start?" What a Priest Said When A Man Asked This

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mdgspencer said:
see wdtprs.com/blog/2017/03/ask-father-away-from-the-church-for-17-years-but-i-want-to-return/

“Your return to the Church and to reception of the sacraments is not complicated’” the priest said.

"Go to confession!

That’s it."
Click to expand...
It really depends on the priest. I took this advice, to go to confession and the priest refused and told me to make an appointment. That’s why I went to directly to confession, I had tried to make an appointment for months. It was like Dicken’s Circumlocution Office 🤷
 
mdgspencer said:
see wdtprs.com/blog/2017/03/ask-father-away-from-the-church-for-17-years-but-i-want-to-return/

“Your return to the Church and to reception of the sacraments is not complicated’” the priest said.

"Go to confession!

That’s it."
Click to expand...
Indeed, an excellent start. He is guiding a person through the “Tribunal of Penance”. A cleansing process in preparation for his joyous return to the Church(“prepare the finest robes. He has returned!”). The individual would need to prepare for his own trial, where he accuses himself for his failings, and places himself at the mercy of the celestial court, and it’s judicial representative on earth, the priest.

It would call for an examination of conscience beforehand, recalling to the best of his ability, not only the sins but the effects of those sins. I would recommend a quiet time to go through the years and recall the events of life. There were difficult and happy moments, and times where the wrong choices were made. If one feels he can be discreet, he could write them down, and destroy the list after confession.

The private appointment is typical for such long absences. The priest may wish to touch on key points that should not be rushed but take more time. Also, it may be unfair for those waiting in line with their short confessions.
 
mdgspencer said:
see wdtprs.com/blog/2017/03/ask-father-away-from-the-church-for-17-years-but-i-want-to-return/

“Your return to the Church and to reception of the sacraments is not complicated’” the priest said.

"Go to confession!

That’s it."
Click to expand...
That’s exactly what I did, after 15 years. I couldn’t even remember how to go to confession. So, a friend invited me to a conference where several priests were available. I figured it was God calling me home. I was able to be anonymous and the priest just walked me through it. He was kindness itself without papering over anything. I still pray for the guy out of gratitude.
 
The rosary will save you.

Hold the rosary in hand and pray on the way to the church and make confession.
Then joining the prayer warior groups of the church.

You need to pray rosaries a lot to make up the time departing the church.
If one rosary a week is minimum level for church goers then for 17 years of your absence, you need to pray rosaries daily from six months to two years just to keep up the same level with other church goers.

The Lord bless and keep you.
 
Casilda said:
It really depends on the priest. I took this advice, to go to confession and the priest refused and told me to make an appointment. That’s why I went to directly to confession, I had tried to make an appointment for months. It was like Dicken’s Circumlocution Office 🤷
Click to expand...
Not heard anyone mention that for years! Still alive and well it is though. 😉
 
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