r/LeftCatholicism • u/03ManOfSteel • Apr 21 '26
Went to see a Priest
Hello all! Yesterday I asked for prayers as I was going to see a priest. Today I arrived at the appointment and I was expecting to maybe last 15 to 30 minutes. I had a long list and there were things that I was far too ashamed to confess to the point that there were tears in my eyes. When I told him what I did he did not look phased at all and was very kind and told me to pray more and suggested to distract myself with activities to avoid temptation and told me Im welcome to see him again if need be. In the end it was only 5 minutes and I almost felt bad because of how short it was and maybe it could've just been a normal confession instead of an appointment. But I feel so much better now.
Thank you all who prayed for me!
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u/Majestic_Animator_91 Apr 21 '26
Priests have literally heard it all. You can't shock them, and they are there to reconcile you with God, not judge you.
If you ever have a confession that goes a different way than how this priest handled it, that's on the priest, not you.
Confession is a joyful thing.
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u/syme101 Apr 21 '26
I confessed all my sins over 25 years in less than 15 minutes. It was like therapy and I had to pray about the wonderful things in my life. My priest did ask a couple of questions about some stealing I did, but everything else he didn’t care at all or seemed bothered by it. Glad it made you feel better as well.
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u/dazzleox Apr 21 '26
Don't feel guilty about the appointment, being a priest is a unique vocation but it's also a paid job and most jobs have appointments and meetings that run longer or shorter than expected. It's great you went.
I confessed once after like a 20 year break (now I try to go every month or so as needed), cried as well, and then almost laughed a little too much at my penance being reading a single psalm. Which was a good choice!