My niece asked me that once, having become “non-denominational”. I told her that i hoped i was saved, but wouldn’t know that until death. And that my belief is that “salvation is a process”.
I think it helps these non-denoms/evangelicals that some aspects of salvation are complete. We are saved in baptism, but we are still working out our salvation. They have been taught to separation justification from sanctification, and to call justification “salvation” so we are talking past each other.
Sacramental Confession is for Baptized Catholics only.
The OP is baptized, communed and confirmed.
Protestants don’t seem to understand the difference between redemption and salvation.
Some do. It is difficult to lump all Protestants into one bucket, since there is such a vast differences between them all. There are some that do understand the concept very well. What I think is more problematic is changing the Apostolic Teaching on salvation so that it is limited only to justification, without including sanctification and glorification, which are then separated from from “salvation”. This practice is what makes it so hard for them to understand Catholicism.
Prayer seems to always be the best answer.
Yes. Prayer is spending time with God. One cannot come into a relationship with another unless they spend time with the person.
All the great saints have their moments of conversion. Isn’t that being saved? When Saul became Paul. The woman at the well.
Yes, conversion is an important part of salvation. But, as you have demonstrated, even though you were saved in baptism, you are still in need of conversion to God’s way of living. This is true for most of us. Conversion, or bringing our will and lifestyle into line with what God calls us to do is a lifelong process.
Not everyone has one of these epiphany events like Saul of Tarsus. For some it is a long slow process without these great peaks. Everyone’s journey is different.
Repentance is another form of conversion
This is a very wise observation. And it goes hand in hand with the Sacrament of Reconciliation, which supports our process of repentance and conversion through the grace dispensed.
I can share with Padre where I’m at spiritually. I’m being honest.
You can, and should, do this, but this is not the same as confession (especially if you do not have contrition or are ready to make a decision to change). This is one of the major differences between spiritual direction (talking with Padre about your spiritual journey) and the Sacrament. The two can be combined, but you can seek direction without the Sacrament, where you should not seek the sacrament until you are ready.