Suffering

[reader16]

Hi,

I am going to my 2nd confession tomorrow, and I heard you need to things in order to go to heaven. 1. You must ask for forgiveness and if forgiveness is granted. 2. You must suffer for your sins. I know when you go to confession your sins are forgiven, and is it granted that you are forgiven after your penance? And suffering for your sins how? Emotionally, physically? I just want to know cause I have been feeling depressed this week, needing to go to confession. If someone could give me a clear idea on what you have to do in order to suffer for your sins, or a picture of how you suffer? Thank you and God Bless.

Amy

 

[PennitentMan]

Hi Amy

When you go to confession, and the priest gives you absolution, your sins are forgiven. Even if you forget your pennance.
Pennance is how we show God that we are sorry for our sins now on earth.

This is not the suffering that they talk about.

The suffering they mention will happen in purgatory, where we wil fully atone for the sins we comitted, as a cleaning process before we are clean enough to enter heaven.

When we sin, there is a consequence and an attachment that need to be fully cleansed, or purged, if you will, before we are able to enter heaven.

There are some ways to limit your time in purgatory, devotion to our Lady through the brown scapular, or seeking plenary indulgences, and…I believe there is a specific devotion to St. Francis that also reduces time in purgatory, but I’m not sure how that devotion goes.

I hope this helps!

Oh, and welcome to the Catholic Faith!

PM

 

[teachccd]

Christ suffered for your sins. He died for you to know that if you merely seek Him in reconciliation you are forgiven. His mercy is infinite and as long as you exhibit a firm purpose of amendment while confessing your sins, you are forgiven.