This week, we’re hoping to hear back from our members and readers in regard to the following question:
What do you remember about your first experience of the Sacrament of Reconciliation?
Were you a “cradle Catholic” who experienced it in elementary school? An adult convert to Catholicism who had no idea what to expect? Or, if it wasn’t your actual first Confession, but the first one in a long time after spending some time away from your Catholic faith, what was it like for you? Was their fear? Relief? Gratitude? Laughter?
We’d love to hear your stories- please share them in the comments below, or if you’d prefer to remain anonymous, send an email to [email protected]– we’ll share some of your responses in this Friday’s community blog post!
My first confession was about a week before I entered the Church. I was 39 years old and had a huge list and I was dreading the embarrassment of confessing many things I was particularly ashamed of. Plus I couldn’t make the usual confession time so I had to make an appointment with the priest… No option for anonymity! During the absolution and afterwards it was like a wind blew through me and I felt the love and mercy of God really strongly. I absolutely dreaded it going in, and I still always dread it a bit when I go about once a month now, but I can really feel God using the sacrament to heal me and guide me and unite me to him. I never knew how much I was missing out on and I’m so grateful now for how Jesus reaches out to us through his priests in confession.