My worries

[wwjd32]

My parents want me to finish my Lutheran Confirmation before I convert to Catholicism, my worry is what if something bad happens like if I die. The Lutherans don’t have a confessionial, so I can’t properly repent. So then I’m worried I’ll go to hell instead of Heaven when I die. Please help!

 

[1ke]

You should talk to the priest preparing you for entering the Catholic Church for guidance on this matter.

Keeo in mind that God knows your heart, and knows the contrite and those who love him.

 

[sw85]

My parents want me to finish my Lutheran Confirmation before I convert to Catholicism, my worry is what if something bad happens like if I die. The Lutherans don’t have a confessionial, so I can’t properly repent. So then I’m worried I’ll go to hell instead of Heaven when I die. Please help!

It doesn’t seem appropriate to undergo confirmation in a Church if you don’t accept its teachings; this is really a conversation you should have with your parents.

I mean God knows your heart… it’s enough to sincerely desire baptism and do what you can while you’re alive to undergo it. You’re not going to be condemned just because you died before you could complete the initiation process.

 

[michaelmas]

I agree with the above poster in that why would you continue with your Lutheran education when you will be converting anyhow? Seems like a waste of time.

As for you dying and not being able to confess to a priest, if you confess right now are truly sorry for your sins you are forgiven… is what I have always understood.

Mortal Sins are not easy sins to commit, there is the knowledge of what your doing is wrong and then still choosing to do it, etc. Please see the Catholic Cat. for more information on Mortal Sins.

Lutheran churches do have confession or at least it was written in the “little” Luther prayer books.

I don’t think God is waiting with a hammer to pound us into oblivion. He knows what is in our heart. He knows all.

 

[Samuel63]

Remember this line, “Jesus, I trust in you.”

Recite this in your mind on occasion. Go through with the Lutheran program. After all, your parents have supported you all your life. When it is over, quietly start the conversion process. Be considerate of your parents and do not agitate them with the conversion. Just be quiet and persistent. God will see you through.

God may be after your parents to convert. So stay on good terms and be considerate. Your parents may have been quietly envious of the catholic faith for years. They may have forgotten these feelings at present. Pray for them and let God do the work.

God bless you!

 

[midori]

I don’t know your background-- are you currently double-enrolled in both an RCIA program and your Lutheran confirmation classes? Or is conversion something you desire in your heart, and a goal you want to move towards in the future, but you’re not actively enrolled yet?

Since you say your parents want you to finish your Lutheran confirmation, it sounds like you’re currently in jr high or high school? (6th-9th grade-ish?)

If so, I’d suggest respecting your parents’ wishes for the moment. When you get to a more independent stage in your life, you can tread your own path more freely and follow your heart. But right now, subjecting your will to theirs is an exercise in humility and respect.

 

[fred_conty]

My parents want me to finish my Lutheran Confirmation before I convert to Catholicism, my worry is what if something bad happens like if I die. The Lutherans don’t have a confessionial, so I can’t properly repent. So then I’m worried I’ll go to hell instead of Heaven when I die. Please help!

You haven’t been formally received into the Catholic Chruch and therefore you are not
Catholic yet. As such I would not see anything wrong with fulfilling your parents wish unless this would go directly against your conscience.

As far as going to confession here is a passage from the Catechism of the Catholic Church.

#1451 Contrition is “sorrow of the soul and detestation for the sin committed, together with the resolution not to sin again.”

#1452 When it arises from a love by which God is loved above all else, contrition is called “perfect” (contrition of charity). Such contrition remits venial sins; it also obtains forgiveness of mortal sins if it includes the firm resolution to have recourse to sacramenttal confession as soon as possible.

From what you said you want to go to confession, then all you need is perfect contrition and the resolution to go to confession as soon as you are able after beinig received into the Catholic church. Your sins would be forgiven.