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Christine Ann
Member
| Joined: | Mon Oct 9th, 2006 |
| Location: | An Hours' Drive From Cincinnati, Ohio USA |
| Posts: | 114 |
| First Name: | Christine Ann | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | former Lutheran, Baptist, now Catholic. |
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Posted: Tue Mar 6th, 2007 01:03 pm |
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Dear Friends in Christ,
I am in RCIA currently and waiting for a Degree of Annulity for my (and my husband's) first marriage. Therefore, I am not able to participate in the sacrements. I understand that my Degree of Annulity could take a very long time...years.
As I study about the Catholic Church, I have become more and more aware of the depth of my sin. I am carrying a great burden of guilt. Recently I lied. I did it without thinking. I guess I'm so used to a lie that it was easy to do. I've refused to obey God's Laws. I've read scripture that says all liars will not enter the Kingdom of Heaven which very much concerns me. It seems that my sins just keep adding on to the already heavy load I'm carrying.
My question is, because I cannot participate in the confessional, and it will be a long while 'til I can...can I confess my sins to God directly and ask for forgiveness ? Will He honor this until I am fully a Catholic? I did this in the past before I knew better that forgiveness must come from Jesus through a priest.
How I long to confess my sins! Could I talk to Father Ted...I know he can't absolve my sin, but maybe give me some relief from the burden of guilt I am carrying. I see myself as utterly filthy of sin...and I have heard others say that until we see ourselves as we really are, we will not fully comprehend what Christ did on our behalf.
Thanks for your comments
P.S. I was baptized as an infant in the Lutheran Church, so I have a lifetime of sins to confess.
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CajunRick
Network Helper
| Joined: | Fri Sep 29th, 2006 |
| Location: | Houma, Louisiana USA |
| Posts: | 5101 |
| First Name: | Rick (& Kermie) | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Lifetime Catholic, Latin Rite |
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Posted: Tue Mar 6th, 2007 01:18 pm |
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Christine Ann wrote: Degree of Annulity
"Decree of Nullity" more commonly known (incorrectly) as an annulment.
My question is, because I cannot participate in the confessional, and it will be a long while 'til I can...can I confess my sins to God directly and ask for forgiveness ? Will He honor this until I am fully a Catholic?
Yes, and even after you are Catholic.
Our Church teaches that all forgiveness comes from God. When we commit grave sin, we have an obligation to confess to a priest "as soon as possible". God forgives our sins if we a truly sorry due to our love for God, but that does not remove our obligation to confess "as soon as possible."
In your case, it is not possible at this time for you to confess. God will forgive your sins if you are truly sorry, and remain committed to confess "as soon as possible." When your Decree of Nullity is finalized, you will be able to confess to a priest and receive sacramental absolution, which grants forgiveness from the community of the Church and confirms forgiveness from God. Meanwhile, you can be assured if your sorrow is genuine that God has forgiven you.
How I long to confess my sins! Could I talk to Father Ted...I know he can't absolve my sin, but maybe give me some relief from the burden of guilt I am carrying.
That is a very good idea. He will repeat to you what I am saying, that all forgiveness comes from God, and while you cannot yet confess to a priest, you can certainly rely on God's merciful love to soothe your guilt.
I see myself as utterly filthy of sin...and I have heard others say that until we see ourselves as we really are, we will not fully comprehend what Christ did on our behalf.
I believe that is true. At our death, we will see ourselves as we truly are and as God sees us, and only then will we realize the depth of both Jesus' sacrifice on our behalf, and God's loving mercy for us.
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Understanding is the reward of faith. Therefore seek not to understand that you may believe, but believe that you may understand. - Augustine
Rick Luquette
Luquette Lane
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