Questions about the first confession

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I’m a RCIA student and if everything goes well I’ll be taken into the Church on May. I have a few things on my mind and I’d be very thankful if someone could help me with them.

First off all, I’m very nervous about going to Confession. I don’t know exactly when I have to do it but I think it’s like a week (?) before being taken into the Church (is it?).

Can I tell the priest that it’s my first confession? I’m going to write down everything that I’m gonna confess so can I just start reading the paper or is there something I should say before it? My friends said that the priest can ask me questions before I start confessing is that true or where they just kidding?

Do I need to confess that I used to throw up after eating when I was younger? I never thought that putting my fingers into my throat would be sinful but there are some Catholic websites where they say it is a mortal sin and I’m pretty confused now. Is it a sin or not and how on Earth could I confess that? I also used to cut and I know I’m gonna have to confess that but I’m scared that the priest would ask me awkward questions like did I try to kill myself (no), what part of my body did I cut (wrists, arms), why did I do it, how often, what kind of knives did I use, how much blood there was etc. Can he ask those questions and if so, what should I answer?

Thank you!!
 
My dear friend in Christ,
It’s o.k to be nervous about your first confession. Take a deep breath and trust in God. No matter what you confess or how you confess, remember that if you are truly sorry for your sins they will be forgiven. I’ll be praying for you.
 
I had my first confession last year and it is quite nerve racking. I will be confirmed on Sunday which is also extremely difficult to comprehend. This has been an incredibly bumpy journey for me.

If I were you I would tell the Priest and tell him you are nervous and it is your first confession. I was very honest the first time round and I think Father appreciated it.

Good luck and God Bless.
 
Don’t worry. Take a list if you want. Likely he will know it’s your first confession, (if it’s planned session for RCIA people) but I would mention it. He will be very kind.
At the end of your sins simply say " for these and all the sins of my past life, I am sorry" and you need not worry about forgetting anything.
You will feel relief and peace afterward. Congratulations! This is a very special and blessed time for you. Be at peace, know that God has forgiven you, and walk in His light.
May your conversion experience be beautiful and holy. God bless you.
 
chasingcars said:
I’m a RCIA student and if everything goes well I’ll be taken into the Church on May. I have a few things on my mind and I’d be very thankful if someone could help me with them.

First off all, I’m very nervous about going to Confession. I don’t know exactly when I have to do it but I think it’s like a week (?) before being taken into the Church (is it?).

Can I tell the priest that it’s my first confession? I’m going to write down everything that I’m gonna confess so can I just start reading the paper or is there something I should say before it? My friends said that the priest can ask me questions before I start confessing is that true or where they just kidding?

Do I need to confess that I used to throw up after eating when I was younger? I never thought that putting my fingers into my throat would be sinful but there are some Catholic websites where they say it is a mortal sin and I’m pretty confused now. Is it a sin or not and how on Earth could I confess that? I also used to cut and I know I’m gonna have to confess that but I’m scared that the priest would ask me awkward questions like did I try to kill myself (no), what part of my body did I cut (wrists, arms), why did I do it, how often, what kind of knives did I use, how much blood there was etc. Can he ask those questions and if so, what should I answer?

Thank you!!
Click to expand...
I had my first confession at the age of 7 and the priest would just engage us in a conversation then I would confess my sins. Ever since that time I just have engaged in a conversation with the priest and confessed my sins that weighed on my heart and asked for general absolution of all my sins.
 
Chasingcars,

First of all, know that just about everyone is nervous about their first confession. It’s a new experience, something you’ve never seen (except maybe in a movie) or experienced yourself. Of course you’re nervous.

Tell the priest it’s your first confession (unless you’re in some situation where he would already know). He’ll help you through anything you need.

Finally, remember that ultimately this is an encounter with God’s love and mercy. Think of yourself as sitting down with Jesus. He looks you in the eye and says “tell me what’s bothering you.” He finishes by telling you that just like the paralyzed man or the woman caught in adultery, your sins are forgiven. Chasingcars has now joined all those other gospel figures who have encountered Jesus and come away as a new person.
 
chasingcars said:
I’m a RCIA student and if everything goes well I’ll be taken into the Church on May. I have a few things on my mind and I’d be very thankful if someone could help me with them.

First off all, I’m very nervous about going to Confession. I don’t know exactly when I have to do it but I think it’s like a week (?) before being taken into the Church (is it?).

Can I tell the priest that it’s my first confession? I’m going to write down everything that I’m gonna confess so can I just start reading the paper or is there something I should say before it? My friends said that the priest can ask me questions before I start confessing is that true or where they just kidding?

Do I need to confess that I used to throw up after eating when I was younger? I never thought that putting my fingers into my throat would be sinful but there are some Catholic websites where they say it is a mortal sin and I’m pretty confused now. Is it a sin or not and how on Earth could I confess that? I also used to cut and I know I’m gonna have to confess that but I’m scared that the priest would ask me awkward questions like did I try to kill myself (no), what part of my body did I cut (wrists, arms), why did I do it, how often, what kind of knives did I use, how much blood there was etc. Can he ask those questions and if so, what should I answer?

Thank you!!
Click to expand...
I haven’t been through RCIA (I had a little bit of a different path to entering the Church), so anyone can feel free to correct me if anything I say is wrong.

When I had my first Confession, I found a priest that I trusted to walk me through it. Is there one at your parish that you know particularly, or that you trust? You can probably schedule an appointment with him to hear your Confession.

Whoever hears your Confession will guide you through what to say, especially if it’s your first. Usually if they ask questions about your sins, it’s to determine the nature of the sin and also to figure out how best to give you direction–oftentimes with Confession, the priest will give you advice as well to help you overcome habitual sins. There may also be the option of face-to-face Confession or behind-the-screen: both are fine, it just depends on what you’re comfortable with.

Confess everything that’s on your heart: the Holy Spirit will help both you and the priest sort through it all, and there is no sin that cannot be forgiven (well, there’s one, but that involves dying in a state of unrepentance, which you’re not doing, so…). The priest’s only desire is to love you and be the vehicle of God’s mercy in the confessional, so don’t let the fear of him judging you dissuade you in any way.

Here’s a reflection from a priest about what he experiences during Confession: it might help (it did for me!) lifeteen.com/my-side-of-the-confessional-what-is-it-like-for-a-priest/
 
Try to relax, realize the priest has heard a lot, you’re not going to surprise or shock him.

I was taught, and still start each confession with the following, are you being taught an entry/opening prayer?

"Bless me father for I have sinned. It has been XXXXX months since my last confession and these are my sins: "

For our first confession we actually stated " … sinned. This is my first confession, and these are my sins;"

You’re probably being taught or will be taught to arrive a bit early and examine your conscience, that will lead you into confessing what you need to confess.
 
Thank you for answers 🙂 No one has yet answered the questions about throwing up, is it a sin or not and if it is, why?
 
Can someone please answer? Is making yourself throw up by putting your fingers into your throat a sin and if it is, why? Is there a possibility that the priest would ask me to tell more about it (I was told that if the priest doesn’t understand something he can ask questions)? I’m literally gonna have a panic attack if the priest asks me anything.
 
I’m not sure if anyone can exactly answer your question. Perhaps it’s more of a psychological problem than a sin, but I can’t really say for sure. When you go to confession you could ask the priest. I know the idea of talking with him is scary, but he’ll be in a better position to help.
 
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