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I have not gone to confession in over 20 years. Mostly out of shame, fear and guilt. I never received confirmation but I have been attending mass either on tv or in person. Of course the guilt gets worse as the years go by . Ltely its like the priest is actually talking to me. (I’ve been trying to go to mass 5 times a week) I must also say I have a learning problems and socially inept. I can’t even remember the act of contriction specially under stress. I need to go to confession but I actually can’t breathe well thinking about it. It has always been the same. This sat. my daughter is receiving her communion and I am supposed to receive the host. Trying to make an appoinment for today. Can I receive communion and do the confession later on sat when it is open for all.?
adelina,
Thanks for joining.
” title=”Smile” />The thing to remember about confession is that you are confessing your sins to Jesus. Nothin or no one loves you more than Jesus and he wants you to be reconciled with him. He wants nothing more than for you to walk side by side with him in life.
To the best of my knowledge the Church rules state that if you are aware you are in a state of mortal sin then you must go to reconciliation (confession) before you receive the body and blood of our Lord.
I hope you get a chance to do that soon. I will pray for you.
” title=”Smile” />God Bless
-Jon
Adelina, is there anyone you feel comfortable going with to confession? In my case I really like going with my wife. Just to have someone there makes me feel more at ease. As far as the guilt, that is something we all feel. You are not alone here. Although it does get easier to go to confession over the years.
But to answer your question, unfortunately you must confess first before taking communion. Communion is the most important sacrament for us as catholics. It is the deepest expression of love Christ could do for us.I say this assuming you are in a state of mortal sin.
~Victor
Oh yes, I forgot to mention that even I can’t remember the Act of Contrition so I just bring a little book that has it.
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Well, I always remember the Act of Contrition, but it is most certainly not a problem to just bring a book in.
Now think of it this way: You obviously love the Mass and have a deep appreciation for the Host, Jesus. Now, Jesus loves you and does NOT want you to be in a state of Mortal Sin, which you seem like you think you are. When confessing to the priest, remember he is representing Jesus, the very One Whom you obviously love.
And remember, the Priest can never tell ANYONE anything you tell him. Also, he will msot likely (if he is a good priest) have helpful advice on prayer, how to avoid sin in the futre, etc. etc. And the more you go to confession, the easier it gets.
love and prayers,
Stephen
Ok. I made an appoinment and went. I confessed face to face. But as always I am a cluts. I made a list of what I was confessing to before I went in and when I left the office I left the whole confession list behind at the receptionist’s desk. I also forgot to drop off the donation emvelope and left my name behind at the receptionist’s desk for joining a church group. I was so mad at myself. Then I just let it go. I figure God has to have a great sence of humor. Thank you all. I will not wait so long.
Doesn’t it feel good to confess? How did you feel?
~Victor
In case you were wondering, no matter how many sins you unintentionally forget at Confession, they are ALL forgiven as long as you did not mean to forget them, and the other aspects of your confession were pure (i.e. feeling sorry, vowing to not do such things again, etc.)
I really can’t explain it. It was like I was in the moment with all my emotions around me. Like being in an emotional tunnel. It was very moving and afterwards I felt empty, drained, content. I expected to feel relieved, joyful but even though I have been praying for assistance .I still have that feeling of emptiness like there is a wall that does not let the joy of emotions at such a great a blessing fill me. I still feel moved during communion and mass. But what is this numbness? Has it happened to anyone else and what did you do. Thank you
Well, not everyone always FEELS great. For instance, I wholeheartedly believe in the Real Presence of the Lord in the Eucharist. But it doesn’t come EASY to me. It is an act of the will to believe it.
As long as you KNOW your sins are forgiven, you keep going to confession, and you try to stop whatever it is that makes you need confession (although you will never be able to entirely, no one can), you are doing everything right.
I do know the sort of numbness you are talking about, although I usually don’t feel that way anymore.
That’s true. Some people don’t feel anything. In my case I did because I said to myself “lucky catholics, they’ve had this all along”.
~Victor
ROFL! Of course Protestants would ask why we could not go directly to God… But then again Protestants don’t worry too much about sinning since once your saved, you can sin all you want.
It really does do something to the catholic psyche to know that you must confess to a priest versus just doing it on your own. This is something that Protestants do not experience.
~Victor
I would say it does do something for the Catholic pysche to know that you [i:34td2o6n]can[/i:34td2o6n] confess your sins to a priest.
Yes we are, it is only semantics, what I mean though, is that it is a PRIVILEGE to be able to confess our sins to a Priest representing Christ, where as Protestants would say “You [i:28e4idip]have[/i:28e4idip] to confess your sins to a PRIEST?!
Well you do HAVE TO if the sin is mortal.
~Victor
True. I personally, though, LOVE knowing that I can confess a sin, no matter how grave.
Although I know what you mean.
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