Stressing about Confession

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Hi.

I´m going to Confession tomorrow. It´s going to be with a priest that I´ve never confessed to before. I have already scheduled it with him since I will be traveling for Mass, and because it will be at another time than when Confession is ordinarily scheduled. I know how it all works, but I´m just being anxious.
Do any of you have any tips on how to be less anxious about going?
I don´t want to be in distress, but most times when going it´s causing me stress.
I´m going regardless of the stress I´m feeling, but I would just want to know how to reduce it regarding Confession.

Thanks in advance.
 
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Confess in anonymity. I don’t know how privately scheduled confession works at your parish. I’ve only ever been to regularly scheduled confession. If you can, arrange for the priest to wait in the confessional for you, utilize the screen, and leave before he does.
 
What exactly distresses you? if you think you’ll forget everything then write some notes so you dont. Try to remember the priest is used to nervous people and he’s a human too, he goes to confession too. He will try to put you at ease. Why not say, I’m nervous. It’s great you have an appointment…that’s half my worries out the door 😉 I always worry I won’t get seen before the mass starts as there’ll be too many people or I will wait in the wrong place etc. Anyway, remember you are doing God’s will going to confession (cool hey!). The angels in heaven are all rejoicing cos you are going to confession. I break the journey up when I am nervous and think, ok I am not nervous about getting the bus. I am not nervous about walking. I am not nervous about walking into church (you might be a bit if it’s a new church) but try focus on something else like what the church looks like or remembering to genuflect. Remember Jesus is with you and everything you do is ok cos he loves you. God bless you. I’ll pray for you. Also ask your angel to go ahead and smooth the path with the priests angel and then things will go smoothly for you. He wants to help you get to heaven remember and this is going that way.
 
Personally, to avoid being nervous, I confess behind the screen (even if I walk into the confessional with the priest). I also have a confession app where I keep track of my sins and read them during confession. That allows me to remain focused in confession.

http://www.littleiapps.com/confession/

God Bless
 
For most times being in Confession I rush through my list, and for me at least it isn´t as sincere as without. Either way - at times it´s really helpful to use notes.
Jehu2077 said:
Confess in anonymity. I don’t know how privately scheduled confession works at your parish. I’ve only ever been to regularly scheduled confession. If you can, arrange for the priest to wait in the confessional for you, utilize the screen, and leave before he does.
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That´s an idea! The only problem is that there are two similar confessionals, and I don´t want to go with the wrong one. It´s the first time I´m privately scheduling Confession as well, so that makes it even less comfortable.
 
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I sometimes try to think about Confession as a visit to the doctor. If I present the doctor with a physical illness, I could care less what he “is thinking” about me. I just need help and I just need it now. Consider that you are going to the soul healer, and that the priest is acting in the role of Jesus. Jesus already knows everything you are going to say, and he’s not surprised by anything. Leave out your emotions and just get it done. Be brief and be gone. Then you can pour out your emotions in love and thanksgiving to God.
 
Own up to your stress. It is as it is. You are who you are. You are presenting yourself in front of God, no need to try and be anything else but who you are.
 
For some people, for others we could confess every day and still be anxious about it.
 
Pray! Ask for the Holy Spirit’s guidance! Ask for the priest to help you. God bless!
 
Greetings of Peace!
I am happy that you would try your best to be courageous.Do not be stress the reason why we must ask the priest about our sins because they are humans too and God uses them to make us feel His love in a simple manner.Priest are Ordinary but because they are a simple and humble disciple of Christ they became an Extra Ordinary person.
 
It actually went very well.
I´m glad I went.

Thank you all for your thoughtful comments 🙂
 
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@Kima
Kima said:
I don´t want to be in distress, but most times when going it´s causing me stress.
I´m going regardless of the stress I´m feeling, but I would just want to know how to reduce it regarding Confession.
Click to expand...
Remember, the Priest is the representative of Jesus ,and it’s Jesus,who hears your confession as the merciful Savior,rely on the Holy Spirit and ask him to reveal your sins and faults,take responsibility of them, rather than justify yourself, if you feel too anxious ,try writing the grievous sins first on a paper,but its not good not always.Ask the intersession of your patron saints and patron saints of the Confessional, like Padre pio and john maria vianney .humble your self and pray for Godly repentance ,through the intersession of Mother Mary God Bless

http://www.usccb.org/prayer-and-wor...amination-of-conscience-for-single-people.cfm

Before celebrating the Sacrament of Penance, one should prepare oneself with an examination of conscience, which involves reflecting prayerfully on one’s thoughts, words, and deeds in order to identify any sins.

There are various types of examinations of conscience but regardless of which one you use to prepare yourself for the Sacrament it should be rooted in Scripture; particularly, the Ten Commandments and Beatitudes. Below are a few examples of Examinations of Conscience that can help you prepare for the Sacrament.

Examination of Conscience based on the Ten Commandments

Examination of Conscience in Light of Catholic Social Teaching I En Español

Examination of Conscience for Children

Examination of Conscience for Young Adults

Examination of Conscience for Single People

Examination of Conscience for Married Persons
 
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Even though my concerns were there, it went pretty well.
It was all overwith in 5 minutes or so.
I´m glad I went and got it off my chest.
 
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I wish you the best! I´m sure it´s going to be just fine 🙂
God bless you 🙂
 
It sounds like you and your parish are truly blessed to have him.
Due to circumstances I´ve stopped going to Confession with my parish priest, so I travel half an hour by train to go with another priest. It resulted in me getting more fruitful advise as well as I trust this priest more since he seems kinda conservative.
 
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I´ve only been Catholic for 2 years at the end of this april, so I don´t know too many priests. It seems to vary how good people get along with priests. I´ve met a priest that I´ve thanked God for having in my life. He has supported me and still does. He is truly amazing…
 
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There is a book called 7 secrets of Confession by Vinny Flynn. Easy to read and he has some great examples of why it is good to go.
 
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