Going to Confession is like going to Mass used to be for me. I used to go to both because I had to. Now I go because I want to and to experience the grace. My RCIA sponsorette knows the rote rule, once a year to Confession to meet your Easter obligation. She seems rather dubious when I and the other team members tell her that we go from once a week to once a month. She’s getting Baptized so not doing Confession until after Easter but I did tell her that in our parish she will go into the confessional and have a nice chat with Father. She got a look of panic on her face. LOL
That has to be a scary thing for folks in RCIA. I have a friend who went through, and I sent her in with a little flashlight and a copy of the Act of Contrition. She was afraid she’d get nervous and forget! Once she got in, she did just fine! Didn’t even need the paper she remembered it on her own: came out smiling and crying at the same time, with a great big hug! What a gift! :)
When you walk out of the church after confession there is a definite feeling of having a weight lifted off of your shoulders.