[todd1]

I am a cradle catholic that didn't accept the churches teachings as truth until a few years ago. My fear is that I have committed sins that can't be forgiven... That is why I am so scared to go to confessions... If I am condemned to Hell than I would rather not know until the time comes..

[Salvation]

All sins can be forgiven. The Sacrament of Reconciliation delivers such awesome graces, why deny yourself? Please go to Confession! God bless you in your journey back to the church.

[Tantumergo]

"My fear is that I have committed sins that can't be forgiven... That is why I am so scared to go to confessions..."

All sins can be forgiven if one is truly penitent and has a firm purpose of amendment.

The only sins which cannot be forgiven are those which cannot be repented such as dying in a state of apostasy. Obviously if you were an apostate, you would not go to Confession and hence would not be able to repent and receive absolution for those sins.

If you have returned to Holy Mother Church and want to receive forgiveness and absolution for all your past sins then you can. If you have genuinely forgotten serious sins committed in your past then you can be absolved of these too by asking forgiveness for all your past sins.

[Salvation]

Examination of Conscience

[Dominick]

That is why I am so scared to go to confessions... If I am condemned to Hell than I would rather not know until the time comes..

Satan has all kinds of tricks that can be used to keep someone out of Confession. One is that you have the overwhelming feeling of being unworthy of Salvation. Nothing is farther from the truth.

Ask any Priest, they have heard every Sin. If you are Sorry (contrition), and if you would fix it if your could (amend for the wrongs), then you are able to be absolved.

Nothing you could have done could prevent God from forgiving you, except for Sins against the Holy Spirit. One of those is Final Refusal of Salvation, so before it is too late, make an act of Contrition wherever you are NOW, and then get yourself to a Confessional.

If you really want fast service, call your local Church and tell the secretary you need to make a confession immediately. She will set you up with whatever Priest is on call.

[american colleen]

But look todd1, you are already sorry for your sins and have turned away from them (that's a gift from God itself). Just go to Confession (I went after 15 - 20 years of sin after sin) and you will not believe the peace you have, it's a gift from God. I remember coming out smiling with joy and wonder at the Graces of God... couldn't believe that I waited that long, what a dope I was!

There's nothing that the priest hasn't heard before and you can still go behind the screen. You could check your local parish bulletins online and see if the parishes are getting together next Sunday or during the week for Reconciliation/Confessions... the local priests all join at one parish and after a homily (not a Mass) on Confession (help on how to examine your conscience) you can go to Confession with one of them - again, behind the screen if you choose.

Confession Guide for Adults - national catholic register.

[Cronos]

My fear is that I have committed sins that can't be forgiven...

Remember that you ask forgiveness not of us or any mortals -- you ask forgiveness of God and He is far, far more merciful than we could ever be. Welcome Home!!!

[Jack of all Trades]

I had considered becoming Catholic for a number of years. I was raised Methodist, but fell away from that church. I've attended mass with my wife pretty faithfully for a long time, but always felt like an outsider (of course), especially so since my son was born four years ago.

One Sunday morning I just decided it was time, and asked the Priest about becoming Catholic. He explained the very basics of the faith, and sent me to instructional classes. Early on, I had huge concerns about confession because I'm 40, have never made a personal confession, and I have done some really vile things in my life. I was afraid I would receive a huge REJECTED stamp for my efforts.

I was very relieved to find, as others have said in this thread, that the only two unforgivable types of sin are those we don't confess and those we don't accept forgiveness for. Long story short, I made my first confession last Saturday, and I am absolutely elated. The feeling of the lifting of dread and despair goes way beyond what I had expected.

[te lucis]

A few things to keep in mind regarding Confession:

1. You're behind a screen; total anonymity
2. You could always drive to a far off church where no one knows you
3. The priest may be a far worse sinner than you've ever been.
4. If he's worth his salt, the priest should be overjoyed to hear your confession.