Really anxious, tips for catholic confession?

Im scaredd, i have to do a catholic confession soon, it’ll be my first one but im really anxiouss, i feel like i dont know what is or whats not a sin anymore cus i started researching a lot of exams of conscience and stuff and it almost seems like everythings a sin, even though i was originally taught that its just things in the commandments but i feel if i dont say some stuff not in commandments then id feel really guilty afterwards and as if i hided smt, plus im really socially anxious and i asked a priest once for tips for scrupulosity/religious ocd and he literally said “just dont worry so much, I have Jesus with me so i dont worry” but like ik hes a priest but its not that easy! Ill be confessing with another one but any tips for that first confession?? I feel as if i dont really even remember what i have done wrong, but i have to do it in a few days i really dont want to 😭 ⚠️trigger warning ⚠️ I also saw sh is a sin is that really true?? I dont know how a priest would react…

dannybananny

Date posted: 16h

I also remember my first confession being very hard for me. I first just want you to know that it’s naturally a very anxiety inducing process, especially your first confession. I actually don’t go back to confession anymore because of the guilt I felt surrounding it. A lot of the things the church does or asks you to do can be huge triggers for anxiety or shame. It can be difficult to go through, but that doesn’t mean it’s bad. What is and isn’t sin is very subjective. I think your intent and the outcome of your actions matter a lot. If you say something trying to be funny and the other person is hurt, you’re not a bad person but you still should apologize. If you say something trying to be mean and the other person is hurt, you’re not a bad person but you still shouldn’t have said that. That’s kind of how I think of sin. For a priest, it’s just his job. His job is to be there to listen to you and whatever you feel comfortable sharing. You can share small things, big things, anything. They aren’t there to shame you or judge you. TW as for sh, I definitely don’t view that as a sin. A priest is not supposed to shame or judge you for any sin, let alone sh. You won’t know what’s going to happen, but know that it is NOT a sin. Some people do believe it to be a sin, just as some people believe homosexuality or divorce to be a sin. But being hurt and expressing that pain through sh does not make you a bad person. I know this was a long response but I really do hope it can help you. ❤️

CatholicCaritas

User type: OCD Conqueror

Date posted: 13h

I fully understand where you are coming from as a Catholic with OCD. First, remember that the Sacrament of Confession is a Sacrament of Healing. It is easy to put the pressure on yourself that you “have to get it all right” and said correctly. I know because I have lived that. However, this can overshadow what Confession is all about, an encounter with He who is Mercy itself, namely Jesus Christ working through his Priest. Enter into that Confessional to encounter Christ. For sure there will be nerves when you close that confessional door, but it is Jesus in his Priest who awaits you there. The Priest will guide you through. Just state up front that you deal with scrupulosity/Religious OCD and making your first confession. Priests encounter souls like us all the time, and are trained to guide you through the Sacrament in a way that is healing. Also, always remember there is no sin a Priest hasn’t heard before. Priests are not fascinated about hearing your sin, rather they care about hearing you and encountering you and caring for you in Confession. The Priest will help to guide you through your confession and answer your questions. Just open up your heart and Jesus through the Priest will take it from there. If you forget to mention a sin, (which we all do as humans), then be at peace and bring it to your next confession. I will be praying for you. You got this! Confession is a place of victory. Mercy is love in action, it is love’s second name. Also, this short video I think would be a big help to watch before you go to Confession. It really shows the priest’s perspective. Peace be with you!🫶 https://youtu.be/YiVjwlUO9Sc

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