Problems with confession

[PerfectTiming]

I’ve had problems with Confession in the past: I used to really struggle with accepting God’s forgiveness and I used to get really stressed and panicky about confessing. I managed to get over it and for the past six months or so I’ve been going to Confession regularly, about every 2 to 4 weeks. I was doing great until the past couple of weeks. I’ve started having this terrible fear of being in a state of mortal sin. I don’t think I’ve committed any mortal sins but I still feel too scared to receive the Eucharist. I went to Confession last week and I felt a lot better but at barely the end of the day I still felt all worried again. I’ve always been very realistic about being in a state of mortal sin, so I do trust myself that I haven’t committed any mortal sins but I still don’t feel like I can receive the Eucharist. I’m just so stressed about it and I don’t know what to do.

 

[Richard320]

Don’t tell us - tell a priest.

Maybe all you need is to hear him explain that when he absolves you, it’s all gone. Even the stuff you might have forgotten. Some priests are really good about explaining God’s Mercy. Hopefully your next confessor will be one of them.

 

[Steady_Eddy]

Hello PerfectTiming,

I think Richard is right when he said you should keep on discussing these things with your confessor, but its okay to discuss a little with likeminded people also. And don’t forget Satan does all in his power to trick us i.e. to keep us from confession and the Eucharist. I like your profile especially the following quote which is a good one to remember when we are approaching confession, and the Eucharist.

Jeanne D’Arc:
(at her trial, when asked if she knew if she was in God’s grace, a question designed **to **trick her)
“If I am not, may God put me there; and if I am, may God so keep me.”

I will think of you at daily Mass, and at other prayer times too.

2 Cor 13:13
Eddy Barry

 

[Vico]

I’ve had problems with Confession in the past: I used to really struggle with accepting God’s forgiveness and I used to get really stressed and panicky about confessing. I managed to get over it and for the past six months or so I’ve been going to Confession regularly, about every 2 to 4 weeks. I was doing great until the past couple of weeks. I’ve started having this terrible fear of being in a state of mortal sin. I don’t think I’ve committed any mortal sins but I still feel too scared to receive the Eucharist. I went to Confession last week and I felt a lot better but at barely the end of the day I still felt all worried again. I’ve always been very realistic about being in a state of mortal sin, so I do trust myself that I haven’t committed any mortal sins but I still don’t feel like I can receive the Eucharist. I’m just so stressed about it and I don’t know what to do.

I am sorry it is so difficult for you. One thing might help, which is to recognize what sin is in general: an intentional lack of charity.

Then you may better be able to know if you intentionally acted in an uncharitible way (which are given in the commandments and precepts and the elaboration by the Church on them). Otherwise imperfections that are more common (not grave or unintentional) and not required to be confessed personally to a priest before reception of the Holy Eucharist.