First confession questions

[sleepybluebird]

Hello!

I started catechism class a couple of months ago and our instructor has been talking about our first confession.  I asked if there was any sort of penance I could do until I am eligible for my first confession and she suggested fasting.  Is there any information available for something like this, or are there any converts out there who could share what helped you while you were waiting to get all of these sins out?

Did a search here for "first confession," read through some of the results, and about an hour ago I was 99% eager/1% nervous to do this, but now feeling about 75% eager/25% nervous.

Also, our instructor mentioned that we can schedule our first confession with any priest.  Hoping to find a super strict priest for this and willing to travel just about anywhere in the Midwest.

[Markus]

Hello!

I started catechism class a couple of months ago and our instructor has been talking about our first confession.  I asked if there was any sort of penance I could do until I am eligible for my first confession and she suggested fasting.  Is there any information available for something like this, or are there any converts out there who could share what helped you while you were waiting to get all of these sins out?

Did a search here for "first confession," read through some of the results, and about an hour ago I was 99% eager/1% nervous to do this, but now feeling about 75% eager/25% nervous.

Also, our instructor mentioned that we can schedule our first confession with any priest.  Hoping to find a super strict priest for this and willing to travel just about anywhere in the Midwest.

Are you very far from St. Louis?

[diaduit]

Relax a bit, with a good priest you will do fine. 
Sounds like an attack is waged on you to try to destroy your confidence in God's mercy.  The devil more than anything does not want you to make this confession and tbh never ever rely on forum chit chat for solid advise.

[Stubborn]

Hello!
I started catechism class a couple of months ago and our instructor has been talking about our first confession.  I asked if there was any sort of penance I could do until I am eligible for my first confession and she suggested fasting.  Is there any information available for something like this, or are there any converts out there who could share what helped you while you were waiting to get all of these sins out?

Did a search here for "first confession," read through some of the results, and about an hour ago I was 99% eager/1% nervous to do this, but now feeling about 75% eager/25% nervous.

Also, our instructor mentioned that we can schedule our first confession with any priest.  Hoping to find a super strict priest for this and willing to travel just about anywhere in the Midwest.

You did not say but hopefully you're attending traditional catechism class, not novus ordo.

You do not actually want a super strict confessor, you want a true Catholic priest who can give good Catholic council in confession - when it may be needed. For this, do not go to just any priest, instead you need to find a traditional Catholic priest, this is a good place to start looking.

What you should do while you're waiting is what the Church used to do for the catechetical instructions for catechumens, namely, to read and meditate as best as you can all of the Epistles and Gospels (daily and Sunday) from Ash Wednesday till Easter, you'll need a Daily Missal, like St. Joseph's or one of the other pre-V2 daily missals like one of these. Just be sure the version you use is from 1962 or earlier.   

[sleepybluebird]

Are you very far from St. Louis?

Not too far; I think it's about 5 hours from here (Chicago area).

[sleepybluebird]

Relax a bit, with a good priest you will do fine. 
Sounds like an attack is waged on you to try to destroy your confidence in God's mercy.  The devil more than anything does not want you to make this confession and tbh never ever rely on forum chit chat for solid advise.

Thank you for saying this, because I've been getting more excited about it each week and now some of that is becoming nervousness or uncertainty.  It's scary to think about doing this as it gets closer.
I'm pretty timid, but have reached out to some of the people at church to ask questions about different things.  My instructor has been really helpful, and the friends I've made since beginning to attend have also been very helpful to offer advice and prayers.  It seems like the last two months have been filled with more prayer than the rest of my life combined.

[GiftOfGod]

You did not say but hopefully you're attending traditional catechism class, not novus ordo.

This x100. RCIA is crap and not just because it funnels your into the NO (that is undeniably the worst part) but because it doesn't teach anything of substance. I have looked at an RCIA workbook and it was full of vague loving God pablum and JPII's "Catechism of the Catholic Church" references.

[sleepybluebird]

You did not say but hopefully you're attending traditional catechism class, not novus ordo.

You do not actually want a super strict confessor, you want a true Catholic priest who can give good Catholic council in confession - when it may be needed. For this, do not go to just any priest, instead you need to find a traditional Catholic priest, this is a good place to start looking.

What you should do while you're waiting is what the Church used to do for the catechetical instructions for catechumens, namely, to read and meditate as best as you can all of the Epistles and Gospels (daily and Sunday) from Ash Wednesday till Easter, you'll need a Daily Missal, like St. Joseph's or one of the other pre-V2 daily missals like one of these. Just be sure the version you use is from 1962 or earlier.   

There are only a couple of us in the adult catechism class and it is traditional; I've never asked but have always assumed it.  I look forward to it every week and our instructor is extremely generous with her time in staying after class ends and answering questions.  It is through the FSSP church here, which was the closest to my house.

I see that there is an SSPX church about an hour away, and actually I was thinking of visiting there because one of their other church's youtube livestreams were kind of the final impetus to get me to start going to Mass.  I watched or listened to them almost every day from when I found them until they stopped livestreaming.  And once they ended livestreaming, I lasted about a week or so, trying to find something similar online (to no success), before showing up at Mass at our church.  So a visit would be nice, and then I can talk to my instructor and see what she thinks.

Thank you for the link to buy the Daily Missal; I have noticed a lot of people have their own.  So far I've used the red book that one of the ladies shared with me when I first started going, and now I use the one in the pew; I forget the name of it but it's helpful and has a lot of pictures and instructions to follow.  I don't think it's from before 1962 though.  Also thank you for the advice about studying the readings; I will definitely do that!

[james03]

Remember, Confession is your big reset button.  It is meant for your benefit.

[sleepybluebird]

You did not say but hopefully you're attending traditional catechism class, not novus ordo.

This x100. RCIA is crap and not just because it funnels your into the NO (that is undeniably the worst part) but because it doesn't teach anything of substance. I have looked at an RCIA workbook and it was full of vague loving God pablum and JPII's "Catechism of the Catholic Church" references.

I don't think our class is called RCIA, at least I don't remember our instructor saying that name, but we do not have any workbooks.  So far we have studied (not in this particular order): relics, saints, sin, gifts of the Holy Spirit, five ways to prove the existence of God, basic points of Catholic doctrine, some history of religious life, examination of conscience, and learned about, and have been given, different kinds of sacramentals, and some other things too.  Sometimes it kind of feels like when you take Western Civ; how you pack centuries into each semester, and you realize how ignorant you are of everything that has ever happened.  There is so much out there to read and study and every week I am kicking myself for not converting ages ago. 

And left over from college, I have a Catechism, a Faith Alive, a little Dei Verbum pamphlet, and a couple of Bibles, think one is New American version(?) and the other is Oxford something version.

[james03]

I don't think our class is called RCIA

You mentioned you were being instructed at an FSSP Church.  You are definitely not taking RCIA.  Don't worry about it.

[MundaCorMeum]

You did not say but hopefully you're attending traditional catechism class, not novus ordo.

This x100. RCIA is crap and not just because it funnels your into the NO (that is undeniably the worst part) but because it doesn't teach anything of substance. I have looked at an RCIA workbook and it was full of vague loving God pablum and JPII's "Catechism of the Catholic Church" references.

I don't think our class is called RCIA, at least I don't remember our instructor saying that name, but we do not have any workbooks.  So far we have studied (not in this particular order): relics, saints, sin, gifts of the Holy Spirit, five ways to prove the existence of God, basic points of Catholic doctrine, some history of religious life, examination of conscience, and learned about, and have been given, different kinds of sacramentals, and some other things too.  Sometimes it kind of feels like when you take Western Civ; how you pack centuries into each semester, and you realize how ignorant you are of everything that has ever happened.  There is so much out there to read and study and every week I am kicking myself for not converting ages ago. 

And left over from college, I have a Catechism, a Faith Alive, a little Dei Verbum pamphlet, and a couple of Bibles, think one is New American version(?) and the other is Oxford something version.

Sounds like excellent catechesis for a catechumen.  Just go humbly to confession and tell the priest the things that weigh on your heart that you feel offend God.  He will guide you and help you, knowing it is your first one.

Regarding fasting...in a homily once, a priest gave a good, practical way to fast:  no food until supper time, then a decent meal. You are free to drink water as you need, of course.  I will take coffee or tea throughout the day, as well, if I want to.   If you feel faint or too hungry to carry out your duties, eat a little something (a few pretzels, some bread, a handfull of nuts, a piece of cheese, etc. just enough to tide you over, but no meat.  You can have that at dinner). 

Welcome to The Faith! It sure is beautiful here =)

[Stubborn]

I attached The Catechism of the Council of Trent which in my opinion, is the best there is, but the Baltimore Catechism is probably the most popular catechism among trads.

Also, revisiting what you said about wanting a super strict confessor, the one who should really be super strict, which is to say the one who should have and teach only orthodoxy of faith, is your instructor.

St. Paul said faith comes to us through hearing, this guy has a lot of good sermons and talks posted to youtube  and Odysee which no doubt you will find that listening to these is time well spent. 

Here is one I like titled, You must have great faith.

[diaduit]

When is it Sleepybluebird....we can all say a prayer for you on the day?

[james03]

If you want a good fast, do an electronics fast for a day.  No texting, messaging, social media, videos, podcasts, video games, etc.... for the day.  Remember to offer up your fast for an intention, like gaining a grace.