Prayer before Confession?

[amelie871]

I’m feeling rather upset and don’t know what to do. I fell from grace yesterday (scraped the paint on a car bumper & panicked and didn’t leave a note) and obviously I will be abstaining from communion until I’ve been to confession. Schedules are different with the holiday weekend so I can get to confession on Tuesday.

Can I pray before that, though–rosary and evening prayers and so on? Can I still use sacramentals (i.e. holy water)? Can I continue my daily readings to make my TCM in October? Please advise. I hate the thought of having to drop everything until Tuesday.

 

[ameliepoir]

Yes, of course you can pray before going to confession. In fact, you should. Your examination of conscience should be done prayerfully, asking God to help you identify all your missteps. If you google “Prayer before confession”, you will find lots of beautiful prayers to say as you prepare your heart for reconciliation and penance.

 

[Deo_Gratias42]

You can also ask a priest to hear your quick confession. I emphasize quick.

 

[amelie871]

Thank you for the replies! I knew I could pray the Examination, of course, before entering the confessional, but I was not/am not sure about regular prayers throughout the day, like my evening rosary.

 

[wild_thing]

Prayer is conversation with God. Never stop talking to Him. An Act of Contrtion after a fault and determination to do better is at the heart of repentance. Confession is the more formal, official act. Always make use of the sacrament, but understand that you don’t need to drop everything because you committed an error. Now more than ever is the time for prayer.

 

[Bonnie]

I fell from grace yesterday (scraped the paint on a car bumper & panicked and didn’t leave a note) and obviously I will be abstaining from communion until I’ve been to confession.

That is NOT a mortal sin - you can receive Communion. Venial sins are forgiven during the penitential rite at the beginning of Mass.

Can I pray before that, though–rosary and evening prayers and so on? Can I still use sacramentals (i.e. holy water)? Can I continue my daily readings to make my TCM in October? Please advise. I hate the thought of having to drop everything until Tuesday.

No amount of sin should prevent you from praying, using any blessed object (including holy water), and devotional reading.

 

[Mary_Estelle]

I thik it might be good to go back and try to find the car and leave a not even if it is late and try to make some kind of restitution. If possible. I think you must be fairly young yet, but the effort to do what is right will stand as to your honor. Also, follow what the others advize. The priest will forgive your transgressions.

 

[brigid12]

I thik it might be good to go back and try to find the car and leave a not even if it is late and try to make some kind of restitution. If possible. I think you must be fairly young yet, but the effort to do what is right will stand as to your honor. Also, follow what the others advize. The priest will forgive your transgressions.

I’m sure you must have meant that God, thru the priest, will forgive your transgressions.