If you read my last blog post about 5 Simple Habits to Grow Your Faith, you know I emphasized the importance of going to Confession.
Shift your mindset.
Confession can feel uncomfortable because it forces us to face our shortcomings, acknowledge our mistakes, and take responsibility for the choices we’ve made. On top of that, we must share these faults with another person, which can feel both intimidating and humbling.
Although it may be unpleasant, we must remember that Jesus already knows our sins—and He loves us anyway. Pride, shame, embarrassment, or denial may tempt us to avoid what I like to call the “Sin Bin,” but we should never let those feelings hold us back. Regular participation in Confession does so much for our spiritual growth.
One way to overcome the hurdle of not wanting to go to Confession is to shift our mindset. Think of Confession as a healing Sacrament, not a punishment or something to be feared. Although “Confession” is the most commonly used term, the official name is Reconciliation, which means restoring harmony and repairing a broken relationship. Through this Sacrament, we come face to face with the Lord, receive forgiveness, and are healed. What a beautiful reality: Jesus loves me, He forgives me, and He heals me too.
Admit you’re wounded. Then do something about it.
One thing that has transformed Confession into a life-changing experience for me is structuring my examination of conscience around the “7 Deadly Wounds.” If you’re unfamiliar with them, I highly recommend checking out the “Renouncing Lies and Announcing Truth” prayers from the John Paul II Healing Center. You’ll find a link to these resources above.
When we dig deeper into our sins, we often uncover patterns. Ask yourself why you committed a particular sin. If we’re honest, we’ll see that many of our sins stem from wounds we’ve experienced. This is often why we fall into the same sins repeatedly.
For example, I struggled with gossip and constant anger, which led me to criticize others (this was me). After some honest reflection, I realized these behaviors were rooted in deep wounds of rejection and abandonment. Being defensive or tearing others down felt safer than being vulnerable.
I’m not a professional, so I encourage you to explore the resources and even consider taking the John Paul II Healing Center’s course. I’m also not saying we’re all consciously walking around trying to hurt others. However, the human condition is marked by brokenness. Throughout the Bible, woundedness is a recurring theme, and many of us compensate for our wounds subconsciously. Understanding this has done wonders for my Confession experience, making it far more healing and transformative.
Prepare and Pray.
Take time to pray and review the PDF, which details the 7 wounds and their connection to the 7 deadly sins. Use this resource to prepare for Confession over the course of a day or two. Write everything down and bring your notes with you to Confession.
One tip I highly recommend while waiting in the Confession line is to pray for your confessor. In a book club I joined, we discussed The Seven Secrets of Confession by Vinny Flynn. Near the end of the book, he suggests praying for the priest who hears your Confession. This was eye-opening for me. While the priest acts in persona Christi, he is still human. Praying for him can help him minister to you more effectively.
I hope these insights help you experience a richer, more healing Confession. As a mom, life is chaotic, and anxiety can feel overwhelming, but these practices have brought me so much peace. By using the prayers in the PDF and taking time to reflect deeply, you won’t just be rattling off a list of sins. Instead, you’ll be coming to Jesus, through the priest, and asking Him to heal you. This makes Confession so much deeper and allows the soul to feel truly reconciled with God.
Once you experience the healing power of Reconciliation and it becomes a life-changing encounter, the idea of going regularly won’t seem daunting anymore.