Please help me, I feel like I've sinned

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GNM1999

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I bought a rosary the other day, and I’m getting the hang of praying it, but, when my parents asked me what it was, I said it was just a necklace, because I didn’t want them to be mad at me because I had bought it(they don’t approve of me wanting to convert at all), so now I feel guilty about this, and like I lied, because I said it was just a necklace. This isn’t the first thing I’ve “hidden” from my parents about my faith, when I got my first real Catholic Bible, I didn’t tell my parents that it was a Catholic Bible until it was almost here. I feel like I’ve sinned or almost lied about it, it’s not like I stole the money from them to buy them or anything, I payed for each and every thing. But I feel dishonest. I’d appreciate your help on this, I’m probably just being silly about the whole thing, but thank you in advance for your help.
 
My thought before even reading the post, just seeing the thread title, was, “You have! But the gates of Heaven are open anyway!”

Could you have used a justified broad mental reservation in saying, “It’s a necklace”? Maybe. But could you also have had a little “shame of the Lord”? Yes, perhaps. But ask for His forgiveness sincerely, believe that you have received it, and be done. (And become a Catholic ASAP!)

Brooding over your sins before asking for forgiveness is a bad habit. (Maybe you did already ask for forgiveness, but in that case, again, just move on!) There was an apostle who brooded over a sin once, without asking for forgiveness… He went on to despair of ever being forgiven! There was another apostle who did something just as bad, but he wept bitterly in contrition. It worked out for him in the end. 👍
 
GNM1999 said:
I bought a rosary the other day, and I’m getting the hang of praying it, but, when my parents asked me what it was, I said it was just a necklace, because I didn’t want them to be mad at me because I had bought it(they don’t approve of me wanting to convert at all), so now I feel guilty about this, and like I lied, because I said it was just a necklace. This isn’t the first thing I’ve “hidden” from my parents about my faith, when I got my first real Catholic Bible, I didn’t tell my parents that it was a Catholic Bible until it was almost here. I feel like I’ve sinned or almost lied about it, it’s not like I stole the money from them to buy them or anything, I payed for each and every thing. But I feel dishonest. I’d appreciate your help on this, I’m probably just being silly about the whole thing, but thank you in advance for your help.
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When I began the process of getting my faith back, sometimes I would hide images. I know your feeling to some extent.

I wouldn’t beat yourself up over it for the same reasons already posted. Yes, lying is something that should be confessed, but avoiding conflict or embarrassment is not necessarily a mortal sin. Either way, you will have the opportunity to receive forgiveness.

That said, I would start summoning the courage and patience to say what needs to be said. Have the fear and love of God more so than the fear of people.
 
e_c said:
My thought before even reading the post, just seeing the thread title, was, “You have! But the gates of Heaven are open anyway!”

Could you have used a justified broad mental reservation in saying, “It’s a necklace”? Maybe. But could you also have had a little “shame of the Lord”? Yes, perhaps. But ask for His forgiveness sincerely, believe that you have received it, and be done. (And become a Catholic ASAP!)

**Brooding over your sins before asking for forgiveness is a bad habit. (Maybe you did already ask for forgiveness, but in that case, again, just move on!) **There was an apostle who brooded over a sin once, without asking for forgiveness… He went on to despair of ever being forgiven! There was another apostle who did something just as bad, but he wept bitterly in contrition. It worked out for him in the end. 👍
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I really like the way you put this excellent advice!
 
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