In RCIA, terrified of confession-dark past

[AutumnAthlete]

I was baptised as an infant in another Christian church and without getting into the sordid details, let’s just suffice it to say that the following few decades were very dark for me. I have done some terrible things and there are very few sins that I have not committed. I have this very real fear that there is no hope for me. Can a priest hear my confession and turn me away? The question is not entirely in jest. Is anything unforgiveable? I truly am repentant and want this more than anything, but I worry that the extensive list of sins, some far more grave than others, will preclude me from receiving absolution.

 

[YoungTradCath]

No sin will preclude you from receiving absolution, and in turn, God’s forgiveness, provided that you are truly repentant.

There really is nothing else to say past what I’ve already said. There are no exceptions to this.

 

[DCNBILL]

I was baptised as an infant in another Christian church and without getting into the sordid details, let’s just suffice it to say that the following few decades were very dark for me. I have done some terrible things and there are very few sins that I have not committed. I have this very real fear that there is no hope for me. Can a priest hear my confession and turn me away? The question is not entirely in jest. Is anything unforgiveable? I truly am repentant and want this more than anything, but I worry that the extensive list of sins, some far more grave than others, will preclude me from receiving absolution.

Relax, as sinful as you may have been in the past as long as you are repentant they are forgivable, the priest has most likely heard it all before, numerous times. Go through confession in a prayerful and penitential manner, say a sincere act of contrition and when the absolution comes be ready to feel the weight lifting off your shoulders! Welcome home! :extrahappy:

 

[paduard]

No sin will preclude you from receiving absolution, and in turn, God’s forgiveness, provided that you are truly repentant.

There really is nothing else to say past what I’ve already said. There are no exceptions to this.

I agree entirely.

 

[puzzleannie]

I Can a priest hear my confession and turn me away? The question is not entirely in jest. Is anything unforgiveable?.

there are no unforgivable sins, scripture says, except the refusal to ask forgiveness (blasphemy against the Holy Spirit is refusal to ask forgiveness). Your first confession should be an occasion for profound joy and peace, not fear. You will encounter Jesus himself in the sacrament, in the person of the priest, and in him as Paul reminds us there is no condemnation. Welcome home.

 

[YoungTradCath]

Remember, most priests with some vintage (even a few years) have probably heard murders, rapes, massive thefts, etc., confessed before. They’ve heard it all, so don’t be afraid. Remember that the Seal of Confession is absolute. He can’t break it for anything.

 

[Angel_Bradford]

Just remember: every saint has a past and every sinner has a future!

 

[TrueLight]

I was baptised as an infant in another Christian church and without getting into the sordid details, let’s just suffice it to say that the following few decades were very dark for me. I have done some terrible things and there are very few sins that I have not committed. I have this very real fear that there is no hope for me. Can a priest hear my confession and turn me away? The question is not entirely in jest. Is anything unforgiveable? I truly am repentant and want this more than anything, but I worry that the extensive list of sins, some far more grave than others, will preclude me from receiving absolution.

I went through this recently. I had my sordid moments too.

Don’t worry.

I paused after each confession in shame, and the priest just said, “Go on”. When I finished, he said, “Is that it?”. I said yes and he absolved me.

He even gave me minimal penance, probably because it was my first time and he wasn’t sure which prayers I knew.

I think priests are quite aware that converts are extremely nervous and ashamed to confess their sins, and are quite compassionate.

 

[hilde_the_dog]

Satan wants you to be ashamed and fearful. He wants to keep you from Christ. Christ wants you to come to him. You get to decide.

I was where you are at ten years ago - trust in God and his mercy. Priest, it has been my experience, love you for coming with open arms (the arms of Christ). Remember you do not explain every sin and why - only type of sin and number. If a priest want more info he can ask.

 

[TheDoctor]

I was baptised as an infant in another Christian church and without getting into the sordid details, let’s just suffice it to say that the following few decades were very dark for me.

Praise God in Heaven that you are walking into the Light. Welcome Home.

I have done some terrible things and there are very few sins that I have not committed.

Ahem, , welcome to the club.

I have this very real fear that there is no hope for me.

Look up at a crucifix. There was no hope for the world until He came. Now there is hope, mercy, justice and love.

Can a priest hear my confession and turn me away?

No. Father can withhold absolution if he believes you are not truly sorry however your post indicates a soul that longs to be right with God. You will not be turned away.

I truly am repentant and want this more than anything, but I worry that the extensive list of sins, some far more grave than others, will preclude me from receiving absolution.

That’s all you need. To be truly repentant and to have a firm purpose of amendment, i.e. you really don’t want to do it again. There is in truth only two who are precluding you from receiving absolution: One is the person in the mirror who needs to understand that God loves them more than they hate themselves and the second is the devil who keeps whispering “do not go - you are unworthy to be forgiven”.

Christ awaits with open loving arms. I will pray for you.

 

[NorthTexan88]

I too am very fearful of this, I will be making my first confession next Saturday before my confirmation on Sunday and I am more ashamed more than anything, cause like you there are very few things that I havent done since I was baptised. But I truly do wantr to be forgiven and I long for confession, it is truly a good thing. I keep saying its like ripping a bandaid off after after that its ok…at least thats what I hope

 

[domandcarols]

Welcome home. I promise you you’ll be absolved and you’ll feel so clean afterwards. I’ll pray for you, God bless you.

 

[TheRealJuliane]

I too am very fearful of this, I will be making my first confession next Saturday before my confirmation on Sunday and I am more ashamed more than anything, cause like you there are very few things that I havent done since I was baptised. But I truly do wantr to be forgiven and I long for confession, it is truly a good thing. I keep saying its like ripping a bandaid off after after that its ok…at least thats what I hope

LOL, I like that analogy. It was frightening for me the first time I confessed after 20+ years away from the Church. I longed for that peace that comes from absolution, but it was tough to face myself and my sinful choices. The Holy Spirit helped me, pray for His help for yourself too.

I think confession is more like the healing ointment for your soul…You will feel such happiness, like if you hadn’t showered in 20 years and suddenly all the filth has been washed away.

Welcome home! Excited for you!!!

 

[Catholic1954]

I was baptised as an infant in another Christian church and without getting into the sordid details, let’s just suffice it to say that the following few decades were very dark for me. I have done some terrible things and there are very few sins that I have not committed. I have this very real fear that there is no hope for me. Can a priest hear my confession and turn me away? The question is not entirely in jest. Is anything unforgiveable? I truly am repentant and want this more than anything, but I worry that the extensive list of sins, some far more grave than others, will preclude me from receiving absolution.

Peace be with you and welcome home! Don’t worry for one minute about your first confession. The RCIA team will make sure that you are very prepared; the priest will know that it is your first confession and will under no circumstances turn you (or anyone) away or refuse you absolution. The regret and sorrow that you are expressing for your past sins will turn into a joy that you will not have know possible.:yup:

 

[hilde_the_dog]

northtexan it more like being afraid of a shower or bath, and not wanting to made clean. That would be Hilde my dog.

 

[achmafooma]

Do not be afraid.

Nothing you have done is bad enough that God will not forgive you. Every one of those sins on your heart? Jesus died on the cross to forgive them and set you free from them.

Your confessor will not withhold absolution, unless he has some good reason to believe that you are being insincere or don’t have contrition for your sins (which I doubt will be the case). In truth, every Priest I have spoken to loves to hear adult converts’ first Confessions…because he gets to play a part in washing all those sins away and reconciling somebody to God and His Church.

I know it is difficult. I had many, many sins I was ashamed of when I came into the Church in 2009 as well. But you are not alone. The Priest is there to forgive you on God’s behalf, not to condemn or judge you! That’s what the Sacrament is all about!

So don’t let Satan fill you with doubt. As long as you approach the Sacrament with an honest examination of conscience and sincere contrition (even if it is imperfect), you will do fine. God bless you!

 

[raaucoin]

“I tell you that in the same way, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.”

Go On Friend!! Make Heaven happy!

 

[AutumnAthlete]

There is in truth only two who are precluding you from receiving absolution: One is the person in the mirror who needs to understand that God loves them more than they hate themselves and the second is the devil who keeps whispering “do not go - you are unworthy to be forgiven”.

Thank you for putting into words what I couldn’t. I do struggle with hating myself for my past, and as having faith at all is still very new to me, I still have difficulty believing that God loves me more than I hate myself. I know that sounds awful, I will keep praying.

And thank your for the “Ahem, welcome to the club.” It helps me feel less alone.

 

[saribee]

I am VERY scared for my first confession as well. Only my two best friends know these things about me…

The one thing I have comfort in is that I know this priest and trust him. I wish my own father could have been like Him.

 

[asia53]

No sin will preclude you from receiving absolution, and in turn, God’s forgiveness, provided that you are truly repentant.

There really is nothing else to say past what I’ve already said. There are no exceptions to this.

Well said!