Not feeling ready for baptism

[steam]

Hello,

It is nearing Easter and I’m a catechumen preparing for baptism. I’ve been struggling with habitual sin my entire life (pornography). I fell right back into this sin shortly after the start of Lent.

I truly do believe the teachings of the catholic church yet I don’t do a very good job in following them. I desire to end this habit yet lack the self control to do so.

Should I with-hold entering the church until I conquer this habit? Am I not ready to receive this sacrament if I commit mortal sin on a routine basis? I believe in baptism for the forgiveness of sins but I fear that I will still be the same porn-addicted man as before. I fear I will be spending a lot of time in confession because I have spent years in a cycle of never ending failure to quit.

If I tell the priest I’m not ready for baptism will I still be able to remain a catechumen? Any advice is appreciated. Thank you in advance.

 

[vallancec]

Dear Steam,
If you are have any doubts or second thoughts I suggest you talk to your priest. I would be straight up and honest.
God bless
C.

 

[LoveMorrissey]

I think the most important thing is to be completely honest. Although I am being confirmed on Sunday I feel like there is so much I have yet to learn and a lot of that has to do with the fact that I was the only one going through the RCIA. I was basically told things and asked if I agree with them. I would have felt more engaged if there was a group of us.

Good luck to you, don’t give up and just be as honest as you can.

 

[OraLabora]

Always remember that baptism will cleanse you of your sin. But it isn’t a destination, it’s a start down a road that often has many difficulties.

We all have our dark side, and trust me your problem will be much harder to deal with, without sacramental grace rather than with it.

Be baptized, and use the sacraments to help you avoid the potholes on the road to sanctity, and to repair you when you do fall into one.

 

[MacQ]

Hello,

It is nearing Easter and I’m a catechumen preparing for baptism. I’ve been struggling with habitual sin my entire life (pornography). I fell right back into this sin shortly after the start of Lent.

I truly do believe the teachings of the catholic church yet I don’t do a very good job in following them. I desire to end this habit yet lack the self control to do so.

Should I with-hold entering the church until I conquer this habit? Am I not ready to receive this sacrament if I commit mortal sin on a routine basis? I believe in baptism for the forgiveness of sins but I fear that I will still be the same porn-addicted man as before. I fear I will be spending a lot of time in confession because I have spent years in a cycle of never ending failure to quit.

If I tell the priest I’m not ready for baptism will I still be able to remain a catechumen? Any advice is appreciated. Thank you in advance.

The only reason to defer coming into the church would be if you do not accept her teachings.
We are all struggling with sin. We cannot conquer it on our own. Accept God’s grace and mercy. Go to confession. Be baptized.

 

[Bookcat]

Baptism will make you a new creation. You will have true life in Christ!

Yes you may still have to strive hard against your difficulty - seek out a regular confessor at that time and other helps that are out there. But you will be doing so with the grace of the Sacraments etc.

Do you think that there were any among those at Pentecost who were Baptized in Acts - had difficulties with lust?

Those to whom St. Peter said: repent and be baptized…and you will receive the Holy Spirit…

 

[blueshells]

Hello,

It is nearing Easter and I’m a catechumen preparing for baptism. I’ve been struggling with habitual sin my entire life (pornography). I fell right back into this sin shortly after the start of Lent.

I truly do believe the teachings of the catholic church yet I don’t do a very good job in following them. I desire to end this habit yet lack the self control to do so.

Should I with-hold entering the church until I conquer this habit? Am I not ready to receive this sacrament if I commit mortal sin on a routine basis? I believe in baptism for the forgiveness of sins but I fear that I will still be the same porn-addicted man as before. I fear I will be spending a lot of time in confession because I have spent years in a cycle of never ending failure to quit.

If I tell the priest I’m not ready for baptism will I still be able to remain a catechumen? Any advice is appreciated. Thank you in advance.

Don’t let Satan tell you you have to be perfect before you can enter the Church! We all have trouble with temptation and sin–that’s why we have Confession. Use it much–there is great grace and mercy waiting for you in the confessional, and many people use it to break bad or sinful habits.

What helped me a lot was meditating on Mary Magdalene’s presence at the Crucifixion. She was human, and as such a sinnner, and yet she still dared to be at the foot of the Cross to receive Christ’s sacrifice for her. Be bold–go to Christ and ask for His mercy. Also, as other posters said, go and talk to your priest; he may have a “plan of attack” of sorts for you.

 

[Took2Long]

Hello,

It is nearing Easter and I’m a catechumen preparing for baptism. I’ve been struggling with habitual sin my entire life (pornography). I fell right back into this sin shortly after the start of Lent.

I truly do believe the teachings of the catholic church yet I don’t do a very good job in following them. I desire to end this habit yet lack the self control to do so.

Should I with-hold entering the church until I conquer this habit? Am I not ready to receive this sacrament if I commit mortal sin on a routine basis? I believe in baptism for the forgiveness of sins but I fear that I will still be the same porn-addicted man as before. I fear I will be spending a lot of time in confession because I have spent years in a cycle of never ending failure to quit.

If I tell the priest I’m not ready for baptism will I still be able to remain a catechumen? Any advice is appreciated. Thank you in advance.

I have been where you find yourself now. As you attend Mass during Lent, I think you’ll find you are being prepared for the step you are about to take. I know I did. I was eager, and I thought ready. Then about this time, I started to have second thoughts. I was hesitant and afraid. I was not yet ready to fully trust my life to Christ. I can look back now, though, and see the Holy Spirit at work, and preparing me for baptism. The next six weeks are some of the best moments of coming into the church. Trust in Jesus Christ-He wants you home.

As far as conquering sin, I’d suggest easing your mind. None of us have conquered sin. We struggle with it. I believe you’ll come to find the sacrament of reconciliation to be very helpful in your journey. That, along with the grace you receive in your baptism goes a long way. I remember when I was baptized. This is a terrible analogy-but it was like I just bought a new car. You know, nobody can eat in it. Take it to the carwash regularly. Then as the “newness” wears off, we let the car go a little. I’ve done that in my own life. The grace of baptism helped me live a clean life. But because I am a sinner, I couldn’t keep it clean and new forever. But Jesus loves me, and He wants me to follow Him, no matter how imperfectly I may do so at times. Jesus loves you too. He wants to call you home. This is really an issue of trusting Him. I know because like I said, I was there. Trust in the Lord, love Him, and follow Him. That being said, I’d still talk to a priest. He could guide you better than I can, most certainly. God bless! I will pray for your intentions, and the intentions of all those being called home to the church this Easter Vigil.

 

[tawny]

I have been where you find yourself now. As you attend Mass during Lent, I think you’ll find you are being prepared for the step you are about to take. I know I did. I was eager, and I thought ready. Then about this time, I started to have second thoughts. I was hesitant and afraid. I was not yet ready to fully trust my life to Christ. I can look back now, though, and see the Holy Spirit at work, and preparing me for baptism. The next six weeks are some of the best moments of coming into the church. Trust in Jesus Christ-He wants you home.

As far as conquering sin, I’d suggest easing your mind. None of us have conquered sin. We struggle with it. I believe you’ll come to find the sacrament of reconciliation to be very helpful in your journey. That, along with the grace you receive in your baptism goes a long way. I remember when I was baptized. This is a terrible analogy-but it was like I just bought a new car. You know, nobody can eat in it. Take it to the carwash regularly. Then as the “newness” wears off, we let the car go a little. I’ve done that in my own life. The grace of baptism helped me live a clean life. But because I am a sinner, I couldn’t keep it clean and new forever. But Jesus loves me, and He wants me to follow Him, no matter how imperfectly I may do so at times. Jesus loves you too. He wants to call you home. This is really an issue of trusting Him. I know because like I said, I was there. Trust in the Lord, love Him, and follow Him. That being said, I’d still talk to a priest. He could guide you better than I can, most certainly. God bless! I will pray for your intentions, and the intentions of all those being called home to the church this Easter Vigil.

Well stated.

 

[Vico]

…
Should I with-hold entering the church until I conquer this habit? Am I not ready to receive this sacrament if I commit mortal sin on a routine basis? …

Since it is an acquired habit, it may not be such a simple matter that it is mortal, although it is grave sin. It will help to avoid the near occasions of sin, and willingness to do that is part of repentance. If you have even proper attrition, then you are ready.

We all struggle with sin, it is repentance that is needed, not perfection. The power of the Holy Spirit, with your cooperation, will overcome the force of acquired bad habits.

From the Baltimore Catechism No. 3: Q. 769. Is imperfect contrition sufficient for a worthy confession?
A. Imperfect contrition is sufficient for a worthy confession, but we should endeavor to have perfect contrition.

Q. 770. What do you mean by a firm purpose of sinning no more?
A. By a firm purpose of sinning no more I mean a fixed resolve not only to avoid all mortal sin, but also its near occasions.

Q. 771. What do you mean by the near occasions of sin?
A. By the near occasions of sin I mean all the persons, places and things that may easily lead us into sin.

Q. 772. Why are we bound to avoid occasions of sin?
A. We are bound to avoid occasions of sin because Our Lord has said: “He who loves the danger will perish in it”; and as we are bound to avoid the loss of our souls, so we are bound to avoid the danger of their loss. The occasion is the cause of sin, and you cannot take away the evil without removing its cause.

Q. 773. Is a person who is determined to avoid the sin, but who is unwilling to give up its near occasion when it is possible to do so, rightly disposed for confession?
A. A person who is determined to avoid the sin, but who is unwilling to give up its near occasion when it is possible to do so, is not rightly disposed for confession, and he will not be absolved if he makes known to the priest the true state of his conscience.

Q. 774. How many kinds of occasions of sin are there?
A. There are four kinds of occasions of sin:

1. Near occasions, through which we always fall;
2. Remote occasions, through which we sometimes fall;
3. Voluntary occasions or those we can avoid; and
4. Involuntary occasions or those we cannot avoid. A person who lives in a near and voluntary occasion of sin need not expect forgiveness while he continues in that state.

Q. 775. What persons, places and things are usually occasions of sin?
A.

1. The persons who are occasions of sin are all those in whose company we sin, whether they be bad of themselves or bad only while in our company, in which case we also become occasions of sin for them;
2. The places are usually liquor saloons, low theaters, indecent dances, entertainments, amusements, exhibitions, and all immoral resorts of any kind, whether we sin in them or not;
3. The things are all bad books, indecent pictures, songs, jokes and the like, even when they are tolerated by public opinion and found in public places.
   baltimore-catechism.com/lesson18.htm

 

[beckie_clark]

always be honest with and trust your priest

 

[Joan_M]

Hello,

It is nearing Easter and I’m a catechumen preparing for baptism. I’ve been struggling with habitual sin my entire life (pornography). I fell right back into this sin shortly after the start of Lent.

I truly do believe the teachings of the catholic church yet I don’t do a very good job in following them. I desire to end this habit yet lack the self control to do so.

Should I with-hold entering the church until I conquer this habit? Am I not ready to receive this sacrament if I commit mortal sin on a routine basis? I believe in baptism for the forgiveness of sins but I fear that I will still be the same porn-addicted man as before. I fear I will be spending a lot of time in confession because I have spent years in a cycle of never ending failure to quit.

If I tell the priest I’m not ready for baptism will I still be able to remain a catechumen? Any advice is appreciated. Thank you in advance.

So you are a catechumen and you are a habitual sin. Do you really think you will conquer this sin without baptism and many, many confessions? You are truly ready for baptism! You need it. you need confession! they are you lifelines! Baptism forgives all your sins, bestows sanctifying grace on you. Confession absolves your sins, restores you to sanctifying grace, and gives you actual graces to help you overcome your sins. These are what you need. Do not think of not being baptized because you are a sinner. You are a sinner, so you urgently need the graces of baptism and confession. You may, indeed spend a lot of time in confession - confessing and receiving spiritual advice that will help you overcome this habit. Go for it.

 

[MacQ]

So you are a catechumen and you are a habitual sin. Do you really think you will conquer this sin without baptism and many, many confessions? You are truly ready for baptism! You need it. you need confession! they are you lifelines! Baptism forgives all your sins, bestows sanctifying grace on you. Confession absolves your sins, restores you to sanctifying grace, and gives you actual graces to help you overcome your sins. These are what you need. Do not think of not being baptized because you are a sinner. You are a sinner, so you urgently need the graces of baptism and confession. You may, indeed spend a lot of time in confession - confessing and receiving spiritual advice that will help you overcome this habit. Go for it.