Good news!

[StGemmaGalgani]

Hi guys.
So my birthday is tomorrow, and as my present, I asked my parents to let me go to mass. So my dad is taking me to TLM on Sunday of St Rita's feast day! Yay! I hope to say my first confession and communion then. How should I prepare for the confession though? I've already done a full examination of conscience (wrote it down because I am forgetful). But I fear that I won't receive communion worthily. How do I do this? I do not want to disrespect God. How do I prepare?

Thanks.
-StGG

[Jayne]

That is wonderful news.  Don't be anxious; trust in the power of the Sacrament.  If you are doing your best to do your Confession properly, it will almost certainly be efficacious.  You will be in a state of grace to receive Holy Communion.  Let the priest know it is your first Confession and he will be able to guide you better.

Tomorrow is my birthday too and you have inspired me to celebrate it the same way.  Thank you.  Let's pray for each other to have a devout Mass.  (Even after all these years, I still have problems with distractions and such.)

[diaduit]

That is amazing news GG, have you talked to the priest and told him its your first confession?

[Innocent Smith]

Hi guys.
So my birthday is tomorrow, and as my present, I asked my parents to let me go to mass. So my dad is taking me to TLM on Sunday of St Rita's feast day! Yay! I hope to say my first confession and communion then. How should I prepare for the confession though? I've already done a full examination of conscience (wrote it down because I am forgetful). But I fear that I won't receive communion worthily. How do I do this? I do not want to disrespect God. How do I prepare?

Thanks.
-StGG

Sounds to me like you are well-prepared.  I am happy for you.  To see such joy over being able to attend Mass with your parents being on board with it is pleasing to our Lord for certain.  Congratulations on what sounds like a milestone birthday and a good day. I have seen a few of your other posts but never responded, so I am kind of aware of your prior situation.

[Maximilian]

Hi guys.
So my birthday is tomorrow, and as my present, I asked my parents to let me go to mass. So my dad is taking me to TLM on Sunday of St Rita's feast day! Yay!

Congratulations! Thanks for informing us of the good news.

I've already done a full examination of conscience (wrote it down because I am forgetful).

This practice is discouraged. Maybe you should read over your notes so you don't forget, and then destroy the paper before you go to church.

But I fear that I won't receive communion worthily. How do I do this? I do not want to disrespect God. How do I prepare?

You are starting out with the right spirit, so you are far ahead of many who have been traditional Catholics for a long time.

Traditional sources say that preparation should fall into 2 categories: Remote preparation and proximate preparation.

Remote preparation is what you do beforehand. In your case, it's your whole life. On a regular basis, it would be the evening before. Remote preparation essentially consists of straightening out your life so you are worthy to receive.

Proximate preparation is right before and during Mass. Proximate preparation is focused on your heart - being in the right spirit to enjoy union with Christ.

[mikemac]

Congratulations StGemmaGalgani.  And Happy Birthday to both you and Jayne.

God bless

[james03]

Great news.  Always remember that there are two of you in the confessional, and it is the priest who is in charge.  So listen to what he tells you.  Don't over think it, just have ready your serious sins.  God will tell you which ones they are.

And remember, if you forget a sin, it is ok and you can still receive Communion.  Just have a firm purpose to confess it at your next confession.

Remember, God is trying to save you, and not set traps for you.  It is called the Good News for a reason.

And again, Great News that you get to go.

[Melkor]

And remember, if you forget a sin, it is ok and you can still receive Communion.  Just have a firm purpose to confess it at your next confession.

Remember, God is trying to save you, and not set traps for you.  It is called the Good News for a reason.

Yeah, after you make a good confession be prepared for some doubts at the Communion rail. Ignore 'em. Just make sure you do your best to make a good Confession! Praying for you!

[Elizabeth]

Pray the Rosary for whomever will hear your Confession, and beg your Angel Guardian to help.   

[Jayne]

I've already done a full examination of conscience (wrote it down because I am forgetful).

This practice is discouraged. Maybe you should read over your notes so you don't forget, and then destroy the paper before you go to church.

Some may discourage it, but other priests encourage it.  I recently came across a recommendation of it in an SSPX retreat book.  Perhaps Gemma should ask her priest for a recommendation for her personal situation.

[diaduit]

And remember, if you forget a sin, it is ok and you can still receive Communion.  Just have a firm purpose to confess it at your next confession.

Remember, God is trying to save you, and not set traps for you.  It is called the Good News for a reason.

Yeah, after you make a good confession be prepared for some doubts at the Communion rail. Ignore 'em. Just make sure you do your best to make a good Confession! Praying for you!

GG, this is actually the case for most Catholics....every Sunday during mass I get doubts that I should receive so don't get caught up in thoughts like ' I didn't do a perfect confession or another usual is - I forgot to confess such and such so to be on the safe side, I'll skip communion'.....its classic devil temptation.

[Michael Wilson]

I attended the Five day Ignatian retreats with the SSPX (a while back), and we were encouraged to write down our sins in preparation for our general Confession. I myself found it very helpful.

[The Curt Jester]

And remember, if you forget a sin, it is ok and you can still receive Communion.  Just have a firm purpose to confess it at your next confession.

Remember, God is trying to save you, and not set traps for you.  It is called the Good News for a reason.

Yeah, after you make a good confession be prepared for some doubts at the Communion rail. Ignore 'em. Just make sure you do your best to make a good Confession! Praying for you!

GG, this is actually the case for most Catholics....every Sunday during mass I get doubts that I should receive so don't get caught up in thoughts like ' I didn't do a perfect confession or another usual is - I forgot to confess such and such so to be on the safe side, I'll skip communion'.....its classic devil temptation.

Have to add another agreement to this.  It does seem like the doubts are worst immediately after confession.  The old "Wait, did I remember to confess this" or "Was I sincere in that confession" thoughts pop up as soon as the priest is at the person next to you. 

[Non Nobis]

I attended the Five day Ignatian retreats with the SSPX (a while back), and we were encouraged to write down our sins in preparation for our general Confession. I myself found it very helpful.

I had the same experience (probably further back). They provided a shredder in the other room where we could destroy our list. At a later mission of Masses the priest did the same thing - but I don't think there was a shredder.

[diaduit]

 

Today is the day hopefully.