Unbaptized: Dispension of Private Promise/Vow?

[Melodeonist]

Hello,

In the past, I made a promise to God that if he would help me get and play the accordion, I would in turn, “Remember to praise God when playing music in public. Tell them God helped me get an accordion, and become a great musician.” (this is what I have written down.)

However, last Sunday, I was playing my accordion for relatives, and I forgot to tell two of them about God helping me get and play the accordion (however, I told them in the past.)

I think I may have failed the promise I made to God. I assume I should now have the promise/vow dispensed. I know that one must speak to their Priest. However, as unbaptized cannot go to confession, when do you suggest I speak to the Priest? I was thinking of speaking to him after Mass, when shaking his hand. However, there will be a line. Can one get dispensed of a vow via e-mail? Also, what do you recommend I say to the Priest?

 

[pianistclare]

You have the makings of being scrupulous.
You can certainly ask God to bless you with musical talent.
Did you really need to make a vow? Do you really think that God is somehow angry with you over this? We can and should praise God in everything that we do. One does not have to make deals with the Lord.
God bless.

 

[Ophelia23]

I asked a very similar question not too long ago while in confession. I’ll give you the answer that was given to me. Your promise is a resolution. You resolve to do this. And the beauty of resolutions is, you can renew them. “Lord, I missed an opportunity to speak Your good word. Help me in the future to see these opportunities, and use me to do Your work!”

There was no exchange set up between you and God. God allows you to play the accordian, not so that you will hold up your end of the bargain but simply because it is in His plans for you. You are going to fail SO MANY TIMES. That will feel overwhelming. But God knows and even expects this of you. The goal is to keep getting back up , no matter what our struggles are.

 

[Melodeonist]

Your replies do make me feel better! I’m guessing what I did wasn’t a vow? Do you think I should to mention this to the Priest? Or does it not really matter?

 

[OurLadysServant]

Your replies do make me feel better! I’m guessing what I did wasn’t a vow? Do you think I should to mention this to the Priest? Or does it not really matter?

A vow made to God can only be dispensed by your local priest or bishop. Dispensation means they release you from your vow for life. Commutation means you do something smaller for God once instead of the vow which they decide.

I’m not sure if your was a vow or not, what do you thinK?
Tell God you’re sorry, and you can keep the vow (and confess breaking it when you join the RC Church or
You could set an appointment with your parish priest and ask for dispensation

 

[Melodeonist]

I’m not sure if it was a vow, or a promise (is there a difference?)

They way I made it was this: I prayed that if God would help me get and play the accordion, I would in turn thank Him, and tell people that He helped me get and play the accordion. I made this promise last year, before I know much about Christianity, and promises. I don’t even know if I made the Sign of the Cross before and after praying the promise.

 

[pianistclare]

I’m not sure if it was a vow, or a promise (is there a difference?)

They way I made it was this: I prayed that if God would help me get and play the accordion, I would in turn thank Him, and tell people that He helped me get and play the accordion. I made this promise last year, before I know much about Christianity, and promises. I don’t even know if I made the Sign of the Cross before and after praying the promise.

Don’t fret. Use your music to glorify God. This would indeed please Him. He’s not sitting around waiting for us to “mess up”.

He is risen! Alleluia!

 

[OurLadysServant]

I’m not sure if it was a vow, or a promise (is there a difference?)

They way I made it was this: I prayed that if God would help me get and play the accordion, I would in turn thank Him, and tell people that He helped me get and play the accordion. I made this promise last year, before I know much about Christianity, and promises. I don’t even know if I made the Sign of the Cross before and after praying the promise.

God holds us to our promises.

Did you promise to do this aloud to others everytime you play?
Or could you put up threads on this occasionally online to fulfill your promise (every few months),?

 

[Melodeonist]

God holds us to our promises.

Did you promise to do this aloud to others everytime you play?
Or could you put up threads on this occasionally online to fulfill your promise (every few months),?

I don’t exactly remember word for word what I promised. I wrote this down: “Remember to praise God when playing music in public. Tell them God helped me get an accordion and become a great musician.”. I do write a prayer thanking God in my description of my YouTube videos.

I don’t think my promise was that specific. However, I don’t remember the promise completely. I’m not even sure if my promise is fulfillable or not.

 

[pianistclare]

I don’t exactly remember word for word what I promised. I wrote this down: “Remember to praise God when playing music in public. Tell them God helped me get an accordion and become a great musician.”. I do write a prayer thanking God in my description of my YouTube videos.

I don’t think my promise was that specific. However, I don’t remember the promise completely. I’m not even sure if my promise is fulfillable or not.

Another reason why I tell people not try to make “deals” with God. Pray for the grace to be good and to choose good in all circumstances, giving thanks for blessings.
'Nuff said. Praying for assistance is fine on its own.

 

[Bookcat]

Talk with the Pastor at the local Catholic Church where you live. Tell him your not yet baptized - and discuss what you did.

It can very well be that such was not a “private vow” for there are various aspects that need to be in place for something to be a vow.

 

[Melodeonist]

When do you recommend I speak with him? Should I talk to him when leaving Mass? Or would going to confession, but telling him I am unbaptized first be better? Or is there a better way to contact him?

 

[Bookcat]

When do you recommend I speak with him? Should I talk to him when leaving Mass? Or would going to confession, but telling him I am unbaptized first be better? Or is there a better way to contact him?

Well you can’t yet goto confession…and others in need of the Sacrament would be waiting.
So I would just make an appointment to see him. Yes bring up that your not baptized yet from the get go.

 

[OurLadysServant]

When do you recommend I speak with him? Should I talk to him when leaving Mass? Or would going to confession, but telling him I am unbaptized first be better? Or is there a better way to contact him?

All the priests of the diocese have their email / phone number/ mobile number on the priest directory page on your diocese website. Also on parish newsletters which are in church or online. Your parish might have a website with his phone number.
Or parish office number.

Try one of the above, say you are not a baptized catholic but want a short appointment with the parish priest (and ask for the one who is allointed over your own parish because only he can dispebse your promise). If asked why, say you just need dispensation from a private vow and kbow that the rule is tgat only a person’s local parish priest or bishop can do this.

Another thing, some priests or catholics don’t know that rule. Tell them you looked up the rules and it IS current teaching still (if they say its not needed)

Just