It's so hard for me to go to confession

[hamburglar]

I have gone to confession before, and it has always been hard for me, as I imagine it is for most people. I always feel so great coming out of it though.

It will be particularly difficult, as I recently found out that masturbation is a mortal sin. I have tried to hold back, but I still have episodes where I do it, knowing full well it is wrong. I want to go, but I think it will be embarrassing and I don’t want my priest to think differently about me. It’s probably wrong to think this about my priest, but I just don’t know right know.

Any help?

 

[LilyM]

I have gone to confession before, and it has always been hard for me, as I imagine it is for most people. I always feel so great coming out of it though.

It will be particularly difficult, as I recently found out that masturbation is a mortal sin. I have tried to hold back, but I still have episodes where I do it, knowing full well it is wrong. I want to go, but I think it will be embarrassing and I don’t want my priest to think differently about me. It’s probably wrong to think this about my priest, but I just don’t know right know.

Any help?

Given that at least 80% of men and half to two-thirds of all women will masturbate, it must be the most frequently confessed mortal sin of 'em all. So your priest is guaranteed to have heard this particular sin many times.

Do you have the option of confessing anonymously behind a screen? You’re entitled, and it would probably make it easier for you if you did.

Whatever you do, make sure it’s the FIRST sin you confess, that way you won’t chicken out.

 

[jrabs]

It will be particularly difficult, as I recently found out that masturbation is a mortal sin. I have tried to hold back, but I still have episodes where I do it, knowing full well it is wrong. I want to go, but I think it will be embarrassing and I don’t want my priest to think differently about me. It’s probably wrong to think this about my priest, but I just don’t know right know.

Any help?

Trust that you cannot possibly tell your priest something he has not heard repeatedly. He knows you are human and that everyone needs reconciliation. He has heard everything. You are not going to shock him.

Go to confession and feel better. Then simply try and avoid the near occasion of sin.

 

[duskyjewel]

Another thing to consider too…your priest is man, is he not? Most likely he struggled with this very issue at some point in his life too! I doubt he will look down on you or think of you differently. You are a sinner, like all the other sinners who confess, like he is himself.

While I was working the hospitality ministry this past Sunday, a parishioner said to one of the priests that their job must have a high rate of burnout and mental/emotional problems because of all the awful things they hear in confession, kind of like psychiatrists. He responded that unlike psychiatrists, who write everything down and go over it again and again and again, when they are done with a confession, they just let the whole thing go. Because it is completely different. Once absolution has been granted, the sin in question literally no longer exists, so the priest does not dwell on it, just like the sinner should not.

Hope that helps a little. Though I must admit, when I confessed this myself, I was feeling pretty awkward and REALLY grateful for that screen!

 

[RLT]

Go to confession. Your confessor will not think any less of you.
In fact you priest would be more disappointed in you if you didn’t confess and stayed in a state of mortal sin.

 

[wifenmommy]

…not to sound like a chicken, but I love the screen. I can focus better and concintrate and don’t blank out like when I go face to face!!

 

[nkmeck]

I have gone to confession before, and it has always been hard for me, as I imagine it is for most people. I always feel so great coming out of it though.

It will be particularly difficult, as I recently found out that masturbation is a mortal sin. I have tried to hold back, but I still have episodes where I do it, knowing full well it is wrong. I want to go, but I think it will be embarrassing and I don’t want my priest to think differently about me. It’s probably wrong to think this about my priest, but I just don’t know right know.

Any help?

One of the best ways to avoid this sin (for me at least) was frequently confessing it. Simply because it’s hard to do. I went through a period where I would try to find a different priest each time I confessed. Since I am a wretched sinner, I eventually ran out of priest (and gas money). This became instrumental in nearly overcoming the sin (still a work in progress) not because I was able to beat the temptation, but simply because I didn’t want to confess it anymore!!! TO GOD BE THE GLORY!!! There is great wisdom in Mother Church.

Pray for me, and I’ll for you, God bless.

 

[mary_bobo]

Many priests have said that you can’t tell them anything they had not already heard–and worse. And I feel so good when I go.

 

[Anne1964]

Always confess your most embarrassing sin first. As another poster pointed out, having to confess the same sin over and over provides wonderful motivation not to commit that sin again.

 

[lizaanne]

…not to sound like a chicken, but I love the screen. I can focus better and concintrate and don’t blank out like when I go face to face!!

Me too - Especially if it just happens to be a good looking priest. I know, I know, but I’m still human!!!

~Liza

 

[briang72]

Read this book: The Untapped Power of the Sacrament of Penance: A Priest’s View

I just started reading it, but already I see confession in a new light. One point that is made early in the book is that most Catholics unfortunately put the focus on being judged, rather than focusing on the forgiveness and healing of the sacrament.

Go to confession, and keep going regularly. I would suggest once a month. Even if there are no mortal sins on your conscience, go to confession. You are receiving God’s grace, which will help you avoid sin. I firmly believe this because I go to confession regularly, and I am amazed at times of the strength that is given.

When you look at the statistics on how many people masturbate, please don’t translate that into acceptable behavior. I know that the posters who put those numbers up here are only doing it to show you how many people are fighting the same problem. Unfortunately, I have heard too often the “everybody else is doing it” line, as I am sure you will hear/read it somewhere, too.

You might also read Spiritual Combat: How to Win Your Spiritual Battles and Attain Peace. This book is helpful in battling the thoughts that enter one’s mind that trigger impurity.

Our prayers are with you!

 

[Sir_Knight]

1. 
   *]If you do not wish your parish priest to “think less of you”, try confessing at another parish where you do not know the priest.
   
   *]Continue going (if possible) to this same priest over and over again. As was already pointed out, by confessing this same sin to him over and over again, it will add to you embarassment [sp] giving you more reason to avoid this sin.
   
   *] Get a copy of Fr. Larry’s CD “What more could Jesus do for you”. Devote two hours of uninterrupted time to listening to it. Once you understand what it cost Jesus to forgive you your sins, you’ll never want to sin again – doesn’t mean that you won’t [sin again] but you’ll be inspired with a stronger desire not to sin.

 

[Sir_Knight]

When you look at the statistics on how many people masturbate, please don’t translate that into acceptable behavior. I know that the posters who put those numbers up here are only doing it to show you how many people are fighting the same problem. Unfortunately, I have heard too often the “everybody else is doing it” line, as I am sure you will hear/read it somewhere, too.

This is true. It was revealed by the Blessed Virgin Mary during one of her apparitions (forget which one exactly) that more souls are lost to the fires of hell because of sins of impurity than for any other sin.

Thus, the devil’s trick of “everybody else is doing it, so it must be okay” is working very well.

 

[Tofu]

It will be particularly difficult, as I recently found out that masturbation is a mortal sin. I have tried to hold back, but I still have episodes where I do it, knowing full well it is wrong. I want to go, but I think it will be embarrassing and I don’t want my priest to think differently about me. It’s probably wrong to think this about my priest, but I just don’t know right know.

Any help?

I thought I was the only person to have this problem.

I find sexual sin very hard to resist, the fact that I’m still in my teens makes it even worse.

I live in a rural area, and I’m lucky to get confession once a week (always to confess the same sin over and over again). I know the priests there, and I’m always so embarressed. I wish I had a screen. The worst part is where the priest gives you advice. I wish he would just get it over and done with.

I go abroad to Spain and France, and I can never get an English speaking confession. What can I do then? If I make an act of perfect contrition, will I still be able to receive communion?

 

[hamburglar]

Go to confession. Your confessor will not think any less of you.
In fact you priest would be more disappointed in you if you didn’t confess and stayed in a state of mortal sin.

Thanks. That seems a good reason for extra motivation. Plus, not only would my priest be disappointed if I didn’t go, but God would be disappointed.

I live in an area where the Christian Reformed Church is very dominant. Catholics are a minority. As such, I see many people asking the questions “Are you saved?” and “If you died tonight, do you know where you would go?” Although I don’t agree with their “once saved, always save” views, I would much rather leave the choice and judgment up to God instead of living in mortal sin and knowing that I would go to hell.

Thanks to EVERYBODY for helping me. What a wonderful place these forums are

 

[fin]

around a yr. to 2 yrs. ago, i went back to confession. iwas really nervous ,but right now, i don’t feel as scared anymore. Confession is a good thing. just the other day, i sinned and i knew i had to go.
the HOly Spirit will give you the courage you need. ask for Mother Mary’s help, and ur guardian angel too . st Gerard for a good confession.