In the previous discussion post many shared that their first confession experience was more stressful than their first communion. So I was curious, what’s everyone’s experience with their first confession? I think it would be interesting to see the difference between doing it as an adult convert vs as a kid!
And is it just as “scary”?
@gabrielstcharles
August 25, 2026
How was your first confession experience?
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12 Comments
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@gabrielstcharlesAug 25Personally I wasn’t very nervous at all- but I always had a very strong trust in the institution of the Church from a young age. In a funny way it just felt completely normal to me!
@darrynAug 25I was really scared before my first confession. We had been taught about venial and mortal sins and were given plenty of time to prepare. We were even told that it might be a good idea to write our sins down on a piece of paper so that we wouldn’t forget anything.
The first time I sat down to write my sins, I thought, “Surely, this will only be a small list"; how wrong I was! I remember it ended up being two full pages, and that honestly scared me. I was worried that the priest would judge me, so I actually removed a few sins that I thought were too much for him to hear. But somehow, by God’s grace and mercy, I found the courage to write them back down.
The actual day of confession, I was terrified when I started confessing my sins, but after the first few, it somehow became easier.
And then came the best part. I felt so much lighter after confession. I was genuinely happy and felt like jumping and singing. Everything around me just seemed so much better as I walked home.
The first time I sat down to write my sins, I thought, “Surely, this will only be a small list"; how wrong I was! I remember it ended up being two full pages, and that honestly scared me. I was worried that the priest would judge me, so I actually removed a few sins that I thought were too much for him to hear. But somehow, by God’s grace and mercy, I found the courage to write them back down.
The actual day of confession, I was terrified when I started confessing my sins, but after the first few, it somehow became easier.
And then came the best part. I felt so much lighter after confession. I was genuinely happy and felt like jumping and singing. Everything around me just seemed so much better as I walked home.
@nessathaseekerAug 25For me it wasn’t scary. I knew what I had done and what I needed to confess. I was really prepared. I say this because I was baptized as a child, but just finished my sacraments this Easter.
@misericordiaAug 25My first confession was really special (in a weird way) because confession barely happens in my country. It happens more now, but especially a few years ago when I converted, it just never happened in most places. So it was also the first time after decades that the priest actually heard a confession. I was very nervous, in general it was a "weird" confession because it was also more of a talk - even with tea and cookies! - but it was valid, followed all the rubrics. I felt so relieved afterwards! And the priest was doing to much to calm me, that really helped.
@darrynAug 25Confession with tea and cookies sounds quite interesting. I'd love that!
@misericordiaAug 25@darryn It certainly was! You're welcome to visit our country and have confession with tea 😂
@lucaAug 25No way! I should adopt this but the alchoolic version 🤣
@gabrielstcharlesAug 26@luca haha whiskey and confession
@misericordiaAug 26@luca Even better 😂
@lucaAug 25I was a little boy, shaking and sweating because I had to confess something unclear that made me feel I had done something wrong 🤦🏻♂️
@grassrootcatholicAug 26Honestly I don’t recall how I felt. I didn’t have a bad experience from what I can remember, so that’s nice.
@maria_26Aug 26I don’t recall much of the first time I confessed.But there were times when I have been scolded(for reasons totally valid).But last few years I am finding a lot of healing from confession,especially to overcome sins I kept repeating .I was able to pin point the gateway that I opened for the first time I did that particular sin in all conscience. I was able to give it up for good by God’s grace.
