How to Overcome Fear of Confession

"Give me your sins," Christ said to St. Jerome, "so that I may forgive them." Many Catholics today view Confession, also known as the Sacrament of Reconciliation, as a humiliating chore rather than the blessing it is and an opportunity to unburden ourselves of sin. Read on and discover how you can overcome your fear of Confession and discover the joy Reconciliation can bring.

Instructions

• 1

  Identify the reason confession causes you anxiety. Ask yourself if you had a bad prior experience, a less-than-understanding priest or sins you had difficulty articulating. The first step in overcoming your fears is to identify them.

• 2

  Talk to a fellow Catholic. Ask her how she feels about Confession and tell her about your hesitancy. She may offer insights that help you view Reconciliation in a better light.

• 3

  Choose a priest with whom you feel comfortable. Churches usually have a set time for Confessions, usually before the Saturday Vigil Mass, but most offer Confessions by appointment as well. Confessions by appointment don't have to be face-to-face; the priest will meet you in the confessional also.

• 4

  Read Catholic literature about the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Many Catholics find the opportunity to free themselves of their sins exhilarating. If it's been a while since your last Confession, familiarize yourself with the process by reading about it online.

• 5

  Pray about it. Ask God to give you the strength and courage you need to face your fear of Confession.

• 6

  Make a cheat sheet. Many Catholics carry a sheet of paper or a small notebook with them to Confession. They write their sins on paper so they won't leave anything out and make notes to themselves about the confessional process so they don't become nervous and forget the steps in the Rite of Reconciliation.