Question for Catholics - Page 2

[DiannaK]

one of my goals this year is to go to Confession more often .. I haven't been for a while ... (a year? two)


One of the best things a priest ever said to me, after a long lapse between Confessions??

"welcome home!":

[flower01]

Originally Posted by ToastyToes

Thanks for all the replies. In thinking about this tonight, I remembered at least part of the reason for my nervousness. As a kid, I remember panicking before confession - WHAT would I confess?? EVERYTHING? Jaywalking? Is that a sin? I would go blank, and try to think of things that I'd done wrong, in an anxious "I've got to give a presentation in 5 minutes and I haven't got a single thing planned" kind of way.

It was like I needed to keep a notepad with me at all times to record my sins. I'm imperfect, on a daily basis. Is not putting a quarter in the parking meter b/c I'll only be in the store a minute a sin? Where does this stop and start?

Whew - this brought back a mini flood of 3rd grade anxiety!

Actually, a notepad is a great idea. But, not to take into the confessional with you and rattle off your sins. But, rather to help you in your Examination of Conscience. This is something you should do everytime you prepare for Confession. Usually churches have little pamphlets and prayer books with a list of questions to help you think about the sins you've committed. If you can't find one, then meditate on the Ten Commandments. Or think about the Greatest Commandment - Jesus said to Love God with all your heart, mind, and soul - and to love your neighbor as yourself. Think about that commandment - how have you failed or how could you have done better? You do not have to list every minor infraction - but the things that cloud your heart and keep you from pursuing holiness.


I've heard many priests give talks about Confession and they all say the same thing - if you can think it, they've already heard it. So there's no reason to be embarassed - they aren't shocked.

In answer to your original question - i don't go near enough, but when the occasion presents itself easily - like community confession service, or going on a retreat I always take advantage and then wish I would go more. So I would so I go a few times a year - ideally I would go every couple weeks.

[sarahsmiles]

Originally Posted by spero

Community confession/The Act of Penitence within the context of the liturgy and Penance Services serve the purpose of Reconciliation IMO.

I don't exepct any diehards to agree, that's OK. I was just answering the OP.

Spero, my sister in Christ, it's not a matter of being a "diehard." It's a matter of believing what the Church teaches and acting (as much as we can) accordingly.

It's very confusing to people who ask questions about the Church for you to respond with your own opinions and a few snippets of historical information. The OP asked specifically about "going to confession," and although private confession of sins is wonderful, it really can't be considered "going to confession" by any stretch of the imagination.

And to answer the OP--I need to go more often. I am an adult convert, so my first confession was a doozy, although thankfully I was baptized about 10 years before that so not TOO bad. I was going about every few months until DD came along. Although my parish is VERY generous with confession (before EVERY MASS on Sundays) I attend alone DD and since she's gotten too big to go into the confessional with me, it's getting hard to do.

Aside, tonight, we were looking at a picture book catechism, and she asked about it. When I tried to explain, she kept wanting to go back to the picture and said, "I sorry." So I think on some level, we all get the need to confess. I'm just grateful the Church provides!