Topic: Can a catechumen confess his sin to a priest?

[Tommelomsky]

I Know it sounds strange, but it is more behind the question. Recently, i began my catechumenate (8.31) and are in a phase of reading, praying and slowly trying to adapt to the new life and times.

My question is: i realize that a catechumen cannot make confession (before taking communion), but can i for example have a much like conversation with a priest (if i need spiritual guidances, help and hope). Before i was a RC and it is now almost a half year since last confession. Some of you can perhaps imagine what that is like?

I try everyday to pray morning/eve, read the scriptures and do as best a human being living a christian life. But sometimes you fall, becomes
real scared and realize that you need a push. That time is now. Some of you must think i am fool, but it is better to be honest and clean if you wish to grow spiritually wise.

[primuspilus]

can i for example have a much like conversation with a priest (if i need spiritual guidances, help and hope)

I dont see why not. I'd ask your priest. However I doubt he'd not want to give you spiritual guidance.

PP

[elephant]

Dear Tommelomsky,

I can understand your desire to unburden your soul and agree this would be a good thing to do.  Just because your priest may not offer sacramental absolution doesn't mean he can't hear your sins and offer you guidance.   And of course your request for help will be heard in Heaven!

Perhaps you can make an appointment with your priest so you can have a little uninterrupted time?  

Love, elephant

[Tommelomsky]

Hi elephant

Thank you for your kind response. Our priest if often a very busy man, so he has a contact person, that many requests goes through.
But have made contact to make an appointment as i need to get some off my chest (we are all a product of Adams fall in paradise..)
so what better place would it be, go to visit the hospital for sinners?

It would have been so good if this was possible.

[Alpo]

AFAIK catechumens can't be absolved but otherwise go ahead.

[Tommelomsky]

That part i understand, but thank you (and i pray for him to have some time for me).

[genesisone]

Yes. Your priest may want to keep it rather informal. He will want to understand your spiritual state as you move towards becoming Orthodox. The time may come when he will want you to take it more formally. Just this past Sunday, I noticed a catechumen giving his confession to my priest in the same manner as an Orthodox Christian would, kneeling/standing before the icon of Christ. There was no absolution and of course, I have no idea what was being said by either man. I think it's a good practice to get into. I wish the priest who received me had trained me a little more on that. I'm still finding it hard to make it a regular habit.

[elephant]

A broken and a humbled heart God will not despise...

[Tommelomsky]

I am prepared to take what steps it takes to live a life as fully as possible as a christian. So if he wants me to confess like the others do, it is fine. I have seen it many times before liturgy, but have no idea if you have to recite the entire psalm 51 first or how the way of the confession is.  But willing to do it? Indeed, i am.

[Tommelomsky]

And patience is indeed a virtue. One month has passed and i still have not got the chance to talk to the priest.
Services, studying, praying and psalms 50+51 is all i got for the current time being.

[Green_Umbrella]

I try everyday to pray morning/eve, read the scriptures and do as best a human being living a christian life. But sometimes you fall, becomes
real scared and realize that you need a push. That time is now. Some of you must think i am fool, but it is better to be honest and clean if you wish to grow spiritually wise.

Do not try to be perfect. You are not perfect. You are not going to be perfect. Christ did not die on the cross for perfect people. You will fall. Over and over and over again. It is what you do after you fall that matters. But perfection is not going to happen. Do not even start beating yourself up in this. It is not what you do so much as what you are trying to do. 

[Tommelomsky]

I am not perfect and will never be. But i hope at least to improve from my mistakes-sins and try avoiding the worst of them and not to repeat them (or at least...improve somehow).

Sorry if i made this sound bad, im just in a state of hurt and it reflects my writing and being right now.

[Green_Umbrella]

I am not perfect and will never be. But i hope at least to improve from my mistakes-sins and try avoiding the worst of them and not to repeat them (or at least...improve somehow).

I think that is as much as a person can ask from anyone. God knows honest effort.

[mabsoota]

i confessed loads before i was orthodox, but i was in a church of only about 60 people at the time (much bigger now and there are 2 priests) and the priest was very approachable.
i suggest you speak to a mature man in the church, maybe a deacon or someone who smiles at you after liturgy or someone who talks to you at coffee afterwards and who looks humble (ask God to help you with this one, i can't train you via the internet on how to recognise a humble man!) i say man, because i assume you are a man from yr avatar, and i think it's usually good to speak to someone the same gender if you are going deep and personal.
you don't have to 'confess sins', but ask if you can ask him some questions about the church and take it from there.
look for someone who can give you general advice in your spiritual life.

then, if you find someone really approachable who you can trust (give it a few meetings to decide), then you can ask for advice about how to get hold of the priest to talk about sins.
may God guide you and take care of all your needs - He knows what they are and understands your weakness.

[Kerdy]

If it helps, I didn't until after Chrismation.  My priest seemed to want to ensure I made it through first and then to ensure I did confession properly.

[Tommelomsky]

If it helps, I didn't until after Chrismation.  My priest seemed to want to ensure I made it through first and then to ensure I did confession properly.

Yes, this is why a non-christian friend (a very wise one) keeps telling me that i should wait, until i`m further into the process and well..just praying and using psalms 50 or 51 and just tell God thing`s the way it is.

It may sound stupid, but rushing things is not an option either.

To all: thanks so much for your advices. It might be a perfect reason why this happens.