I've decided to go to a priest, but which one?

[J.W.B]

This is in response to my other thread “Prayer, need help, in depair.” So I assume many of you know what I am talking about. For so long I have thought about going to a priest to talk about my fears, but I always would find another way out (for the time being). But then they would come back even stronger. I had thought, "Well what if I go to a priest and I can’t explain everything EXACTLY right or the way I want to, or I don’t tell him every single jot and title of my problems, and I return and I begin to think ‘well you did not tell him about that or that and if you did then he would agree with your fears’ and so I just forget about going. But I feel I will tell him much that he will understand and honestly, I feel a peace within my soul right now because I am planning on going today to him to tell him my problems.

But to which one should I go? I am either thinking of the priest who married my wife and I or another one at St. Patricks Church about an hour from my house. The priest there I like alot. For some reason I feel more comftorable with him than my own priest, but I like my priest alot too. So who should I go too? I want you people, my brothers and sisters to decide if you will. Thanks.

It’s 10:46am right now where I live and confession is at 4:00pm at my Church and 3:30pm at St. Patricks

 

[piety101]

Actually, a priest is not meant to be a “marriage counselor” but a holy man standing in the place of Christ to hear our confession of sins and grant us absolution in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. This is their main function when going one on one with the body of Christ.
What you need is a Catholic marriage counselor. One who deals professionally with these matters.

 

[urquhart]

Why not go see the priest you like a lot at St. Patrick’s, and see what he recommends? If he advises marriage counseling, you should definitely follow through.

 

[thessalonian]

piety101:

Actually, a priest is not meant to be a “marriage counselor” but a holy man standing in the place of Christ to hear our confession of sins and grant us absolution in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. This is their main function when going one on one with the body of Christ.

What you need is a Catholic marriage counselor. One who deals professionally with these matters.

I disagree. One moring I was listening to a priest regarding this topic of priests not having marriage experience so how can they help married people. The priest made a very good point. Marriages are meant by God to expose our faults. The problems in marriage aren’t as much marriage problems as problems that are brought out by marriage. Spiritual problems. Thus there is noonce better than a priest to deal with them. My wife and I went to a priest who gave us some excellent advice a while back. Find a good holy priest and he will be able to help.

Blessings

 

[J.W.B]

Thank’s. I cannot see a marriage counsler because my marriage is PERFECTLY FINE! My wife and I love each other, rarely argue and when we do we forgive always within a few hours, and we have no problems. The PROBLEM is that I’m spiritual troubled that I’m in an adulterous relationship. If you read my other post you’ll know why.

 

[RSiscoe]

J.W.B.:

This is in response to my other thread “Prayer, need help, in depair.” So I assume many of you know what I am talking about. For so long I have thought about going to a priest to talk about my fears, but I always would find another way out (for the time being). But then they would come back even stronger. I had thought, "Well what if I go to a priest and I can’t explain everything EXACTLY right or the way I want to, or I don’t tell him every single jot and title of my problems, and I return and I begin to think ‘well you did not tell him about that or that and if you did then he would agree with your fears’ and so I just forget about going. But I feel I will tell him much that he will understand and honestly, I feel a peace within my soul right now because I am planning on going today to him to tell him my problems.

But to which one should I go? I am either thinking of the priest who married my wife and I or another one at St. Patricks Church about an hour from my house. The priest there I like alot. For some reason I feel more comftorable with him than my own priest, but I like my priest alot too. So who should I go too? I want you people, my brothers and sisters to decide if you will. Thanks.

It’s 10:46am right now where I live and confession is at 4:00pm at my Church and 3:30pm at St. Patricks

First pray and then go to the one you feel most comfortable with. But, I do have one suggestion: I would not go to normal confession. What I means is, if confession “starts at 4:00PM” don’t go get in line with everyone else. You need to spend a lot of time with the priest.

What I suggest is that you make an appointment with the priest. Tell him that you are really struggling with a sever case of scruples and need his advice. That way, you will have all the time you need and will not feel rushed.

I want to address something else that you said:

I had thought, "Well what if I go to a priest and I can’t explain everything EXACTLY right or the way I want to, or I don’t tell him every single jot and title of my problems, and I return and I begin to think ‘well you did not tell him about that or that and if you did then he would agree with your fears’ and so I just forget about going.

That too is a sign of scruples. This just confirms that what you are suffering from is scruples and nothing else.

You may want to do an internet search on scruples and read up on it. What you are suffering from is definitely a case of severe scruples. All of your “fears” are simply that. They are not rational, but irrational. Now, call the priest and make the appointment with him. Then you will be on the road to recovery.

Also, I may be able to find you a good priest in your area. If you want to give me your city, I will see if I can help you find one.

 

[J.W.B]

Well I live in Ancram NY. But out of every priest I have been to around the capital district, I feel I like the one at St. Patricks the most, in NY at the town of Ravena.