Meeting with a priest

[Renegade8408]

Long story short I have been a practicing satanist and involved in many areas of the occult for the past 15 plus years. I’m trying to leave all that behind me and maybe even return to church. I was baptized but never confirmed or received first communion. I know I need to talk to a priest and have an appt with him next week but I am terrified. What should I expect? I know he is young and new so doubt he has heard this before. Is there any protocol I should be aware of? I haven’t even been able to set foot on church grounds is years so feel very unprepared and like I do not have a right to talk to the priest. I know I need to so guess I’m looking for reassurance and advice. Thanks in advance.

 

[roundcheese]

My simple advice is to talk to the priest as if he was a close friend and to not be afraid to tell him anything relating to your relationship with God and His Church. Even though young and new, I am sure he has heard more than you think May God bless your journey!

 

[po18guy]

Rather, be terrified of currently being in the clutches of the evil one! As you move away from him and toward God, just be prepared for some impediments to be placed in your way, or even some harassment or oppression. The journey back will not be without a few rocks along the path. The evil one is jealous and might not let you go without making a fuss. The prayer to Saint Michael the Archangel can be of great help in such cases.

No matter what you experience, just know that God’s power is always infinitely superior to that of evil. The priests, no matter how young, have experienced and learned many things - not only in their own lives, but also during their years in seminary as well as those spent in pastoral care.

You are moving from darkness to light. Do not be afraid!

 

[Skyhighblue34]

He would probably welcome you with open arms knowing that you are moving away from something so dark. Part of being a priest is trying to save people from the devil, so you coming to him would probably make him happy to see you.

 

[Amanda_Germany]

Long story short I have been a practicing satanist and involved in many areas of the occult for the past 15 plus years. I’m trying to leave all that behind me and maybe even return to church. I was baptized but never confirmed or received first communion. I know I need to talk to a priest and have an appt with him next week but I am terrified. What should I expect? I know he is young and new so doubt he has heard this before. Is there any protocol I should be aware of? I haven’t even been able to set foot on church grounds is years so feel very unprepared and like I do not have a right to talk to the priest. I know I need to so guess I’m looking for reassurance and advice. Thanks in advance.

You needn’t be terrified at all, it is the priest’s task to help you along. There’s no such thing as a protocol, just feel free to tell him whatever seems appropriate to you… and yes, you have every right to talk to him. He will be patient and kind, I’m sure. Don’t hide anything, get rid of your burdens… being in the presence of a priest, you are in the presence of Christ Himself. Remember that and don’t panic.
I will pray for you that you may have peace in your heart and soul.

 

[CatholicRaven]

You might be surprised by his joy that you are considering returning to the Church!

Luke 15:4-7: “What man among you, if he has a hundred sheep and has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open pasture and go after the one which is lost until he finds it? When he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost!’ 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.” (emphasis mine)

Luke 15:11-32 is the parable of the lost son (aka the Prodigal Son). It says much the same thing as the parable above, but you may want to read it for your own encouragement (it’s a bit long for me to post here).

I would expect that the priest will listen to your situation first, and perhaps ask you some questions for clarification. Then he will most likely discuss with you what you would need to do to return fully to the Sacraments (especially Reconciliation/Confession, Communion, and Confirmation), and answer any questions you may have about any part of the process, or any questions or doubts you have about the faith. The only “protocol” I can think of is to simply be respectful and honest with your answers, and if you have questions, ask them. Remember, the priest is there to help you, not condemn you.

 

[Renegade8408]

Thank you for the encouragement. It is something very hard for me to do. I tried to talk with a priest about 10 years ago and when I told him what I was (a satanist) he kicked me out of the church. I’m trying to convince myself this time it will be better but struggling very hard to believe it will be ok.

 

[po18guy]

Thank you for the encouragement. It is something very hard for me to do. I tried to talk with a priest about 10 years ago and when I told him what I was (a satanist) he kicked me out of the church. I’m trying to convince myself this time it will be better but struggling very hard to believe it will be ok.

That fact that you are repenting makes all of the difference in the world. No one who is repentant is rejected or turned away. Rather, they are specifically invited.

 

[anonymous_in_fl]

If the priest is not sure what to do, he would most likely consult with a priest who has more experience in this area or just refer you directly to him

 

[Abraham_fan]

Dear “Renegade,”

I’m concerned about the approach in this. For instance, do you want a new name (since a “renegade” is what you don’t want to be anymore, if you’re serious)? If I’m following this right, you went to a church 10 years ago, but let a priest’s yelling drive you back…

About a year ago, a priest yelled at me -in the confessional- because he (wrongly) thought my asking to get out of the house to do “church work”(my spouse had died) meant that I wanted attention by “singing in their choir” (??) Actually, I’d wanted something else that could help me meet other Catholics & lighten my depression. Unaware of my physical disability and years of isolation, he started yelling that I should stay home (I was home 24/7) to do chores for my son (who was over 18)…It was loud enough for everyone to hear!

Being yelled at in confession for something that wasn’t true (or a sin) put me into a tailspin of depression! He told me I couldn’t talk about it to anyone, when I tried to explain afterwards. However, while priests are not allowed to repeat anything they’ve heard in confession, (as well as laity who accidentally overhear someone else’s), I tried to explain that this hadn’t even been a confession…(!)

This HURT…After being relegated to isolation and gossip for so long! Deep down, though, I knew that NOTHING & NO HUMAN can “separate me from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus”-Sacred Scripture. I found another priest for confession, and did my best to recall that even some saints were attacked by priests-- even bishops. St. Joan of Arc was burned by her local church as an heretic, but continued to love.

I still attend there. The poor priest finally left for health reasons (I tried to pray for him as much as possible w/o thinking about him too much). Ironically, their cantor quit for one of the masses, so I was asked to sing for as long as I liked…After singing for nearly a year, my disability again caused me to think about something better-timed (but by choice).

If you want to come back to God, be prepared for satan to resist, resist, and resist! After all, he used to “own” all of us sinners, and we want to escape his fate. I’ve learned it helps to : pray to find a wise priest (I had just rushed in that day!) Prepare for a long time (again, I shouldn’t have rushed), and if you run into someone who tries to chase you away from God, remember what the blind man did when even the apostles tried to prevent him from getting healed by Christ. He yelled all the louder for Jesus to have mercy on him!

Sorry for the length here, but I’ve seen this kind of thing more than once, and it hits home in a way.

Jesus Is Victor!

 

[Bulbasaur05]

“there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.”

 

[Renegade8408]

Dear “Renegade,”

I’m concerned about the approach in this. For instance, do you want a new name (since a “renegade” is what you don’t want to be anymore, if you’re serious)? If I’m following this right, you went to a church 10 years ago, but let a priest’s yelling drive you back…

About a year ago, a priest yelled at me -in the confessional- because he (wrongly) thought my asking to get out of the house to do “church work”(my spouse had died) meant that I wanted attention by “singing in their choir” (??) Actually, I’d wanted something else that could help me meet other Catholics & lighten my depression. Unaware of my physical disability and years of isolation, he started yelling that I should stay home (I was home 24/7) to do chores for my son (who was over 18)…It was loud enough for everyone to hear!

Being yelled at in confession for something that wasn’t true (or a sin) put me into a tailspin of depression! He told me I couldn’t talk about it to anyone, when I tried to explain afterwards. However, while priests are not allowed to repeat anything they’ve heard in confession, (as well as laity who accidentally overhear someone else’s), I tried to explain that this hadn’t even been a confession…(!)

This HURT…After being relegated to isolation and gossip for so long! Deep down, though, I knew that NOTHING & NO HUMAN can “separate me from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus”-Sacred Scripture. I found another priest for confession, and did my best to recall that even some saints were attacked by priests-- even bishops. St. Joan of Arc was burned by her local church as an heretic, but continued to love.

I still attend there. The poor priest finally left for health reasons (I tried to pray for him as much as possible w/o thinking about him too much). Ironically, their cantor quit for one of the masses, so I was asked to sing for as long as I liked…After singing for nearly a year, my disability again caused me to think about something better-timed (but by choice).

If you want to come back to God, be prepared for satan to resist, resist, and resist! After all, he used to “own” all of us sinners, and we want to escape his fate. I’ve learned it helps to : pray to find a wise priest (I had just rushed in that day!) Prepare for a long time (again, I shouldn’t have rushed), and if you run into someone who tries to chase you away from God, remember what the blind man did when even the apostles tried to prevent him from getting healed by Christ. He yelled all the louder for Jesus to have mercy on him!

Sorry for the length here, but I’ve seen this kind of thing more than once, and it hits home in a way.

Jesus Is Victor!

I am a renegade ( a traitor to a cause) nothing will or can change that. Last time I tried to talk to a priest he was really nice at first, I had just walked in off the street, but my grandfather attended that parish, so he was kind enough to sit and talk with me. I told him I was a practicing satanist and was miserable he didn’t let me say anything else just told me a child of Satan didn’t belong inside the house of God and told me to get out. I didn’t even attend my grandmothers funeral a few years ago because of what happened, I figured I wouldn’t be welcome. A lot has changed since then some good more not so good but it’s brought me to a point where I know if I don’t try well I don’t want to think about it. I’m living in a bit of a hell on earth and your right Satan does not like to let go. I can only hope a priest can help me and provide some direction but I am afraid he will be just like the last one. I terrified there is no hope.

 

[Brigid34]

I am a renegade ( a traitor to a cause) nothing will or can change that. Last time I tried to talk to a priest he was really nice at first, I had just walked in off the street, but my grandfather attended that parish, so he was kind enough to sit and talk with me. I told him I was a practicing satanist and was miserable he didn’t let me say anything else just told me a child of Satan didn’t belong inside the house of God and told me to get out. I didn’t even attend my grandmothers funeral a few years ago because of what happened, I figured I wouldn’t be welcome. A lot has changed since then some good more not so good but it’s brought me to a point where I know if I don’t try well I don’t want to think about it. I’m living in a bit of a hell on earth and your right Satan does not like to let go. I can only hope a priest can help me and provide some direction but I am afraid he will be just like the last one. I terrified there is no hope.

My guess was that you’d said that you were a PRACTICING satanist. That would scare him and even tho’ a man firmer in his faith might have been able to see his way clear to talk to you anyway, it would scare me (if I were him) and make me worry about the rest of my congregation.

Give the priest a chance! Since you can say that it is behind you there shouldn’t be any problem.

 

[Renegade8408]

My guess was that you’d said that you were a PRACTICING satanist. That would scare him and even tho’ a man firmer in his faith might have been able to see his way clear to talk to you anyway, it would scare me (if I were him) and make me worry about the rest of my congregation.

Give the priest a chance! Since you can say that it is behind you there shouldn’t be any problem.

I never looked at it like that. I guess it is easy to see though our eyes and not so easy to see from the other side. I’m still scared but going to give him a chance.

 

[PazzoGrande]

I am a renegade ( a traitor to a cause) nothing will or can change that. Last time I tried to talk to a priest he was really nice at first, I had just walked in off the street, but my grandfather attended that parish, so he was kind enough to sit and talk with me. I told him I was a practicing satanist and was miserable he didn’t let me say anything else just told me a child of Satan didn’t belong inside the house of God and told me to get out. I didn’t even attend my grandmothers funeral a few years ago because of what happened, I figured I wouldn’t be welcome. A lot has changed since then some good more not so good but it’s brought me to a point where I know if I don’t try well I don’t want to think about it. I’m living in a bit of a hell on earth and your right Satan does not like to let go. I can only hope a priest can help me and provide some direction but I am afraid he will be just like the last one. I terrified there is no hope.

There’s a book you should read. It’s called The Rite: The Making of a Modern Exorcist.

It goes into how the occult and satanism has caused possession. There’s a part relevant to you. People sold their souls to the devil in exchange for favours and riches and fame. The book notes that to break that bond with the devil, all that was needed was a simple change of will.

As another poster said, you changed your will and that truly makes all the difference in the world. We congratulate you and welcome you back.

You’re not a child of satan. You’re a child of God and nothing can change that no matter how hard the devil tries.

Have you heard of Bartolo Longo? He was a satanic priest who converted, becoming a great Catholic, a Papal Knight and is on his way to being declared a saint. He was worried that as if you’re a priest in the Catholic Church you’re a priest forever, that if you’re a satanic priest you’re a satanic priest forever. He later realised that this isn’t so. The devil cannot have that power over you if you change for the better.

Go to Confession and confess it to the priest. That book I mentioned says that just going to Confession has even greater power than an exorcism.

If you go to the priest in the spirit of repentance, the priest cannot turn you away. If he’s younger, frankly I think that he’ll be more approachable and understanding if you’re around the same age range.

 

[Catholic1954]

Long story short I have been a practicing satanist and involved in many areas of the occult for the past 15 plus years. I’m trying to leave all that behind me and maybe even return to church. I was baptized but never confirmed or received first communion. I know I need to talk to a priest and have an appt with him next week but I am terrified. What should I expect? I know he is young and new so doubt he has heard this before. Is there any protocol I should be aware of? I haven’t even been able to set foot on church grounds is years so feel very unprepared and like I do not have a right to talk to the priest. I know I need to so guess I’m looking for reassurance and advice. Thanks in advance.

This is an appointment to talk, just like a meeting with your banker, lawyer or school guidance counselor; the priest is on your time, so you should be able to set the topic and ask the questions. The priest may be young, but he is ordained and has years of study behind him and is there FOR YOU. He will not be horrified or disgusted with whatever you tell him. Hopefully, after this interview, you can decide what you want to do next. The priest may suggest that you attend RCIA this fall; that would be a good idea, the classes will instruct you in Catholic teaching and prepare you for the sacraments next year. It will all be up to you.