The weight of guilt

[JoyToTheWhirled]

I’m a sinner. This is no surprise to anyone. One of the reasons I am becoming Catholic is the teachings about confession and reconciliation. I won’t be going to confession until next year in the scheme of RCIA, and that’s ok. I’m making do with general confession at Mass, but sometimes the weight of guilty feelings about my sins is overwhelming. How does someone get through to their next confession with this awful heavy feeling? I’m thinking it’s worth asking for when I don’t have to wait so long to confess in the future.

 

[pianistclare]

If you have been validly Baptized you may go to Confession.
Many priests prefer people to wait though. I would make an appointment with the pastor and see what he says. Many in our RCIA session say that the Sacrament of Reconciliation was the driving force behind their conversion.
It’s pretty common, so he will truly understand where you are coming from.
If not now, he certainly would encourage you to do Confession during your Advent penance service at your parish, I would think.

 

[2towers]

The Rosary helps with this very thing quite a bit. Even more, using the Divine Mercy Novena.

Other things you might find helpful:
-doing acts of reparation, such as picking up a piece of trash on the sidewalk or in the office, that no one is laying claim to.
-making a small donation, even a dollar, in reparation for your sins
-Going out of your way to be kind to someone or smiling at a person you really don’t care for.
-Mortifying yourself by not putting sugar in that one cup of coffee, or eating a small serving of a healthy vegetable that you don’t like.
-Praying a Hail Mary after committing even a venial sin.

These are small things that I do, that I have picked up while reading various Catholic books written by the Saints, others may occur to you. All of these things are just suggestions only. I find all of these things helpful. Lip service gets this sinner nowhere. I have to actually do something before I start feeling better. Take care!

 

[Katie777]

God loves us in our weakest and most imperfect moments. He can read your heart and knows you are sincere in your remorse. You can pray an act of contrition until it is time for you to receive the sacrament, and confer with your priest and follow his advice too.

 

[JoyToTheWhirled]

Thanks for the advice everyone. It’s appreciated. I’ll speak to Fr. C when next I get opportunity.

 

[yankeesouth]

That awful heavy feeling might actually be a sign of growth.

http://www.agapebiblestudy.com/BEATITUDES/Lesson_4.htm

Please read Isaiah 6:1-7

Question: What is Isaiah’s cry when he comes into Yahweh’s presence in the heavenly throne room?
Answer: He cries out: Woe is me, I am doomed! For I am a man of unclean lips, living among a people of unclean lips; yet my eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts!

Question: What is the cause of Isaiah’s distress?
Answer: A sinful human being cannot come into the presence of a pure and holy God without feeling the painful burden of his or her sins upon the soul. The more clearly Isaiah saw God the more aware he became of his own sins.