I went to confession for the first time in many years. I was so nervous, but the priest was so kind, telling me that I was God’s precious, loved child, and that He was so happy to see me back at church. I practically floated out of there!
@@ellem6050 exactly what you've said. The confessional narrow door is like the narrow gate Jesus talks about saying few have the courage to enter and so many are on the road that leads to destruction. I leave you with this encouragement, don't let the things of this life overwhelm you because God wants His love soley to overwhelm you. Prepare to restore the love between you and God. I'm so happy for you. Be blessed, Live blessed; bless others.
@@ellem6050 DO IT!! let Him carry your load. He knows its too heavy for you alone and He wants to help. let Him love you. it will be the best day in a long time
Father Mike, you inspired me. I started to watch your videos, then your masses. After 32 years I have returned to the church. The first time I went to confession it was very difficult. I admitted the worst sins I was aware of. The priest gave me a pamphlet: guide to confession. I pondered over it the next week. The second week I confessed the rest of my sins. Then I prayed Jesus, I know you forgive me, help me to forgive myself. On the way home I felt a great happiness and then a phrase came to me. You are a child of Christ. Thank you for what you do! Truly God’s work. You’ve returned a led astray catholic back to the flock. God’s blessings to you!
I was baptised in my mid twienties and left the church . I was living in darkness and my life was spiraling down hill, I know I needed God. One day at work, feeling so lost I said quietly in my heart: dear God, I am sorry and I want to come back to you. Then, everything changed in my life. The Holy Spirit guided me every step. First, I went to see my godma and she advised me to go to confession. Feeling apprehensive but knowing this is what I must do, I head to the confessional for the first time after seven years. When I told the priest all my sins, which are scarlet and red as crimson, he said Jesus is smiling from ear to ear and wanting to welcome me back to Him with a wide open arms. He said there is no sin so big that God cannot forgive. I looked up and saw a kind face that I have never seen, I thought he looked like Jesus, my Lord and my God. Almost thirty years on, every time I step into the church for my daily Mass I would smile from ear to ear because I know Jesus is waiting for me with wide open arms and smiling from ear to ear every time he sees me ❤
Amanda, you have experienced what the Bible explains as being born again in the Gospel of John. You were moved by a work of the Holy Spirit to repent, to become humble in front of him. You feel different because the Holy Spirit now lives inside of you. Please read the book of Hebrews and the Gospel of John. God's word, The Bible, written by the Prophets and the Apostles is your authority now. Don't weigh yourself down by the law keeping and rule keeping of the Catholic church. You've been saved by the blood of Christ and no other. The Catholic church is a large church, and Jesus said, the gate that leads to life is narrow and few find it, the gate that leads to destruction is wide and many find it. The teachings of the church have strayed away from the Gospel. The Apostle paul would not recognize her now. In the book of Galatians Paul warned the Galatians about believing a false Gospel because they added circumcision to the work of Christ. Jesus said my yoke is easy, my burden is light. Don't let any church put the yoke of rule keeping upon you. Please investigate these things. I pray for your walk with Christ.
@@jrainey44 "The Bible, written by the Prophets and the Apostles is your authority now. Don't weigh yourself down by the law keeping and rule keeping of the Catholic church." Jesus put the Church in authority. The Church wrote the New Testament and codified it. That is the only reason you have it, and the only reason you know anything at all about Christianity. What you are doing here is evil. You are acting like the devil in trying to tempt someone away from the Faith. I won't bother with the rest of your lies. You stand self-condemned by spewing such nonsense.
Water Baptism "delivers no one." You were not delivered, the Holy Spirit was not given to you by your Catholic Baptism: "When we made our first profession of faith while RECEIVING the holy Baptism that CLEANSED us, the FORGIVENESS we received then was so FULL and COMPLETE that there remained in us ABSOLUTELY NOTHING LEFT to EFFACE, neither original sin nor offenses committed by our own will, nor was there left any penalty to suffer in order to expiate them. . . . YET the GRACE of Baptism DELIVERS NO ONE from all the weakness of nature. On the contrary, we must still combat the movements of concupiscence that never cease leading us into evil."(978) "Yet, the grace of Baptism delivers no one" from sin. Only faith/belief in Jesus Christ alone delivers a sinner. Have you ever read the words of Jesus Christ or the words of the Apostles concerning salvation?
ST. THOMAS AQUINAS: “A penitent’s sins are forgiven, not when the priest says the sacramental words of absolution over him or her, nor when the penitent completes the assigned penance, but the instant the penitent is truly sorry for his or her sins.”
@@halo1403 POPE BENEDICT XVI: An inmate asked the pope why he had to go to confession for pardon instead of just getting on his knees and asking God for forgiveness. Pope Benedict, XVI responded, “Naturally, if you get on your knees and, with real love for God, pray that God forgive you, he will.”
@@virginiaspeciale8641 You don't have to go to confession. When we read the Acts of the Apostles and the Epistles, we never see the apostles hearing anyone's confession. Jesus paid for all our sins on the cross and He gives us the free gift of salvation.
Well God uses intermediaries such as priest in confession to forgive sins. God can only forgive but God uses the priest as a representative. When the priest says “I absolve you from your sins” that is a clear confirmation that God has forgiven you. Saying your deepest and darkest sins aloud and to a priest is the most embarrassing experience at first. But it’s supposed to be, as it is the only way to retrieve us from sin and gain back our humility. As humility is the only virtue Satan cannot attain, which is why he hates it when we attend confession, because we are recognising that we are too prideful and need to humbly submit to Gods grace.
@@GustAdlph You don't read about them going to the toilet... but I'm guessing they did that too... Yes - Jesus did pay for our sins on the cross and yes, salvation is free. So is Confession. Every time we confess our sins and acknowledge them, Jesus is able to add that sin's consequences to the cross and take them away from us. If you don't confess them, you will never truly be sorry for them. If you're not truly sorry for them, how can you be forgiven? Pray in secret - confess to one another. It is a humbling experience and he who is humbled is greatest of all.
It is a gift from God! After many years of turning my back to Christ I came back. I was confirmed in the Catholic faith along with my son on an Easter Sunday. As I went to confession, I recalled all of the most grievous sins that I could remember, but knowing there were many that were long forgotten. I was forthcoming with the Priest and told him that I know I had many sins, along with sins that were considered mortal sins, that I know I could not remember. I told him how deeply sorry I was for all of my sins and how my sins not only were hurtful to others but most importantly how much they hurt Jesus. The Priest absolved me of my sins and a great burden had been lifted off of me, I could physically feel this burden being lifted. For anyone on the fence, come back to our Lord and receive this most merciful & wonderful Sacrament. Take care and may God Bless each and everyone of you!
@@Call_Upon_YAHbrother we love Jesus and we know as Catholics who god is!!! We do not worship Mary!!! We venerate her idk if you know that word “venerate.” It means to honor her❤️ without Mary as the new ark of the convent, our lord and savior would not have been born into this world through her he became flesh within her conception through the Holy Spirit. And as for the sacrament of confession read John Chapter 20/ 20:23 there is what started the sacrament of confession. Through the Holy Spirit
Recently I was waiting for the bus, and I was feeling so weak that I thought I was dying. I opened up my heart to Jesus and begged for absolution if I could not make it through this weakness before He took me home! Well, with the assurance that Jesus was with me and He could forgive my sins in this moment of crisis, just like He did with the thief on the Cross, I did manage to drag myself home from the bus stop. I was so grateful for His mercy at that moment!
I am an adult convert, scheduled to be confirmed this Pentecost Sunday (one week from tomorrow). I was baptized in another tradition when I was 11, and the Church has graciously accepted my baptism. I have always confessed my sins directly to Jesus, and I have felt and known His forgiveness when I have done so. Yesterday, however, I made my first confession to a priest. I confessed all the sins I could remember since my baptism, even though I had already confessed them to Jesus. I needed to. After reflecting on my sins over the years, even those that I had already confessed to our High Priest, I was ready to literally run to the priest. He was so gentle and kind. He gave me an easy penance to do, and a lot of good counsel. It was a wonderful, healing experience. Thanks be to God! He is merciful!
Welcome...😊🙏 "Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of thy faithful and enkindle in them the fire of your LOVE ❤ Send forth your SPIRIT and we shall be created and thou shall renew the face of the earth.." 🕊 🔥 🕊 🔥 🕊 🔥 🕊 🔥
The best thing that happened to me when i returned to the church was that my priest was diabetic, i had an appointment right after lunch and in his humanity he fell asleep. I said absolutely everything because never look a gift horse in the mouth. I recieved his absolution and later, some great conversations that increased my faith. This dear human gave me an out to get honest with God after some very serious church trauma. I am forever grateful
@@lettersandwordsandstuffs I agree. People need to cut out the middle man and go to their Bible. The Bible is clear that Jesus is the mediator between men and God. Why confess to a priest that has been proven to be more sinful than we are.
there you are ,your pride shows "priest been proven to be more sinful than we are" be careful brother your lacking knowledge and wisdom. dont talk foolish without knowing. I hear bias on your own words @@barbwire7449
@@lettersandwordsandstuffs John 20:22 - the Lord “breathes” on the apostles, and then gives them the power to forgive and retain sins. Then what was the point of Jesus giving His bishopric the power to forgive or retain sins? I'll stick to what Jesus teaches. John 20:23 - Jesus says, “If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven. If you retain the sins of any, they are retained.” In order for the apostles to exercise this gift of forgiving sins, the penitents must orally confess their sins to them because the apostles are not mind readers. The text makes this very clear. 1 Tim. 2:5 - Christ is the only mediator, but He was free to decide how His mediation would be applied to us. Acts 19:18 - many came to orally confess sins and divulge their sinful practices. Oral confession was the practice of the early Church just as it is today.
If I didn’t have to go to a priest to confess I’d probably keep committing some sins over and over. If you have a good priest they give you guidance along with penance. It makes it much easier for me to think before I act. There is nothing more uplifting than coming out of the confessional. I feel sorry for those who don’t know the feeling of being unburdened.
@@terrorists-are-among-us We are supposed to call out evil and pray for them. Ephesians 5:11 And so, have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead, refute them.
So your faith is in man and not Christ Jesus because it's a sinful man behind a screen in a building that keeps you from sinning but not your love for an almighty perfect God who gave his life for you? Read Hebrews 10 and see these man made sacraments get you no where. Praying to Mary is negating God cause she is creation like the rest of us. Praying are father a certain amount of times removes nothing. He wants you not a fake relationship that has man made barriers. Pray to him now and repent now and talk to him. Don't know what to pray about then pray a Psalm. Let his words through the Holy Spirit uplift you. God bless.
@@Mr.C-Mister Hanna prayed in stammering lips; Jews have repetitious prayers; called missals. When the war was won; under the guidance of not the VM; BUT UNDER: Deborrah the Judge/Queen: They sang praises to her; as they did to King David; which made Saul jealous; as the devil is: of the woman who said; "yes." She won the war of "yes". For that which we do the Rosary.
I come from a Catholic Island (Malta) and I grew up in a highly devoted family . Thanks God most of the Maltese are still practicing Christian's but we have a decline like many western countries of vocations and lack of priest. It is hard to find priests available for confession so personally I haven't been to confession for a very long time. Would say 20 years but I go to mass regularly and I ask God to forgive my sins before communion. I believe God forgives me .
I have always felt like confessing is like asking for forgiveness. When you hurt someone, you can feel sorry, but if you don't go to that person and say you're sorry, then it doesn't count as apologizing. Confession helps us stay accountable, and priests are not there to judge us or anything, but to hear us and hold our hand as we are admitting the things we did to God. Confession shouldn't feel as an obligation but as an opportunity to open our hearts to God.
I was away for 10 years. My first confession back was so wonderful. If I have repetitive thoughts about something I did and examine the thought it was connected to a sun. Once confessed the devil can not repeat it to God and I am forgiven. Amazing Grace.
Thank you so much for your beautiful message, Fr. Mike. This is not made to be a burden. This is a gift. It's a gift of God's love. The love what we deserve the least but need the most. It's mercy.
these priests cant forgive sins. only God can. these priests are not your father for your father is in heaven (God). you can easily confess your sins in the privacy of your own home to God in prayer. this is a false teaching and hope one of you wakes up to the truth.
I went to confession after years away, feeling sure that the sins I had committed were unforgivable. I just needed to tell a priest what I had done. Hoping that I could come back to the church even if it meant I might be excommunicated on the spot. Or that I could never ever again receive communion. As I bawled my eyes out in the confessional, the priest welcomed me back as a sheep who came back to the fold. The feeling that came over me was like a warm hug from God, through the Holy Spirit. I never want to lose that feeling.
Truly an amazing experience. The first confession I gave after being woefully lapsed my whole life in the Orthodox church, I cried tears of joy. A weight was lifted off of me that I didn't even realize had been dragging me down. Truly God's mercy is infinite and beautiful.
Confess your sins to God and Him only,not a man. Come boldly to the throne of grace. Pray to God through Jesus Christ, because he is your High Priest,your intercessor, Mediator, Advocate. Christ died for your sins,not a man in a booth claiming to forgive sins,in the Hebrew society that is blasphemy for a man claiming to be God and to forgive sins.
@@hopenavajo1391 Christ gave the power to remit sin to all the Apostles. The Church was formed on Pentecost. We should always be praying for forgiveness to God, but to say that a priest who has been properly ordained by an apostolic bishop cannot forgive your sins through the power of the Holy Trinity is antibiblical and is heresy. Please stop and turn back to the Church.
Hi Father Mike. So glad I came across this clip. I have been burdened by my sin for years. Was so afraid to go to confession, because I felt such shame and terrible guilt over my sin. Watched your video over and over, looking for courage and proper contriteness of heart to bring myself to confession, knowing that confession is truly a blessing. I went to confession today. Oh man, things poured out of me that took me by surprise. In so many many ways relieved and hopefully closer to God. Your reminder that Jesus bore our shame and guilt. A gift indeed!! Thanks again, and thanks for helping me back into the Faith.
@@TboneWTFI once thought like you, and I contributed to leading many people astray, into the same kinds of sins I needed to confess for. He's real, I'll pray that you have the time to realize it before your time comes. May God bless you.
@@S.Grenier Please don't pray for me as it would be embarrassing for both of us. It's a shame you didn't have the courage to live your own life. Good luck any way.
@@TboneWTF The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” Their deeds are loathsome and corrupt; not one does what is good. The LORD looks down from heaven upon the children of men, To see if even one is wise, if even one seeks God. All have gone astray; all alike are perverse. Not one does what is good, not even one. [Psalm 14:1-3].
I have only always found Mercy in the confessional. I am sooooo hard on myself. Thank You Lord Jesus for you endless Mercy towards me. Thanks for loving me unconditionally. Let me never be separated from You. Grant that I may love You always and do with me as You will.
Father Mike, you are a light of good in this tempting and distracted world. Pray that we can all remain humble enough to recognize the need for repentance and mercy
“Call no man father” Catholics have clearly never read a bible 😂 1 Timothy 2:5 For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus.
I love your videos, Fr Mike! You are so real and genuine and your explanations are always so great! You bring so much goodness when it comes to the Lord. When I can't attend mass, I watch you instead and I just love you!!!
Boy, lately it seems like whenever I have a question, or someone is questioning my Catholic faith, Father Mike comes out with a video.😂🙏🏻❤️ Just had a friend tell me yesterday that they didn’t believe confession with a priest was necessary and there was no telling them any different. 😏🙏🏻
I think God wants us to be aware of His Mercy, to ask for His forgiveness. If we go to confession, we experience that Love of God as He wants to Love us. It is a beautiful sacrament, we should be so grateful for. Thank you. God Bless. Claire.
I left the Catholic Church behind in my youth. As I reflect on my life now that I’m almost seventy I can clearly see it was a choice to be free of the guilt I felt for secret sin not confessed. I believe in forgiveness, the forgiveness of sin and forgiving others as well as teaching and encouraging others to practice forgiveness. I am exploring my beliefs that held me back and I had a physical response several times as I listened today. In spite of my free will I have concluded that my spirit and soul long to be free of sin as if that longing is a created part of us that opposes the choices we make on a physical level. I have so many more questions to work through but I’m thankful for you as a resource.
Confession... sometimes referred to as the forgotten Sacrament. It is so complete, so sublime, so fully perfect, I would go crazy insane without it!! This Sacrament has restored my peace time & time again.
Wow. Awesome explanation of why we should go to confession. Thank you. I go to confession for God's mercy and forgiveness through the hands of a priest. What a great feeling after I have after confession.
I have been pondering about going to confession. I was questioning whether I needed to go. I think God was speaking to me through Father Mike. I called my parish today about a personal confession.
@@Godbless0000 only the divine Law of God is above any man made law. Yes,God still loves His children in the Catholic communion, but tradition of the church cannot save them. God bless.🙏🙏.
@@Godbless0000 Christ says to preach the Gospel to every creatures on this sinful world, including Catholics or else there will be blood on our hands and be held accountable.🖐️
Father Mike you are so right. I think most of us Catholics think of confession as a burden or a bother and not a gift. Thank you for reminding us of this gift. I love your videos.
Getting confirmed at the Raleigh Cathedral on Saturday at the Easter vigil. I was so nervous for my first confession but now it’s something I look forward to. The spiritual “glow” and strength and lightness is amazing. It’s like Fr said when we were talking, it’s such a blessing that when we mess up, we can just go and talk to Dad and be reconciled.
I came back to the Catholic Church last year. I've had a massive problem with the confession. But I've forced myself to go every time and now... honestly? I cannot wait for the next one. Especially since I've experienced Lord's mercy so deeply just before the Easter.
You’ve fallen for pagan church… Catholics have clearly never read a bible 😂 1 Timothy 2:5 For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus.
It's such a wonderful grace of healing. Pray to the Holy Spirit before going to confession. I write my sins down so I don't forget & I don't keep the other people waiting and you don't want to write a book, a list of sins without explanation. When you receive the mercy and healing Praise God. Thank you Fr. Mike. Sharing
Thank you. Father Mike. Your videos do reach my soul and I do appreciate your efforts. (they are working albeit, painfully slowly..."where there is Faith, there is Hope")
Thank you Father Mike. Many Catholics and non Catholics just don't "get" going to Confession to a Priest. They see the negative but they miss the AMAZING, WONDERFUL, FREEING positive of Confession.
Father I’ve been listening to your Podcasts on The Holy Bible every night before I go to sleep. And today without looking I came across your videos!!! Wow I’m so happy,your explanations are so concise and understandable. I saw the entire video named “Why Do I Have Go Go To Confession”. In 1991 I did my second confession it was a nightmare!! I left the confessional feeling unwanted and unloved by Christ,the result of the Priest who heard my confession to me sounded like never mind you’ve got no hope. The Church will not absolve you. My sins were not in any illegal or moral way, but I felt so hurt. I go to Mass maybe twice a year and tears flow down my face because that Priest told me I can’t ever receive Holy Communion.
Please try to find another priest and make a counseling appt. Priests do not all have perfect personalities. Perhaps a different priest can help you better. Please don’t give up on going to Mass. If you believe you cannot receive Communion, perhaps let the priest bless you at the very least. God loves you.
Hi Father Mike. It is troubling me that I found you a few years ago, and the more and more I watch your videos and delve into Catholicism, the further and further away I feel myself drifting from the Catholic Church and its teachings. I feel like God is guiding me elsewhere, but I don’t know how to tell where yet. the Holy Spirit is definitely working within me, and when I converted to Catholicism 25 years ago, I guess I didn’t really understand all of the Catholic guilt that went along with it. I truly believe that Jesus forgives us through a personal relationship with him. If there is anything you can offer to help guide me on my journey, feel free. Thank you and God bless.
Praise God I say, for Jesus said that you must be born again to Nicodemus, so I would say if the holy spirit is leading you outside the Roman Catholic corrupt system, to go with God over man every time and to find a good Bible teaching church filled with the holy Ghost and in usage of the gifts of the holy spirit such as tongues and prophecy and words of wisdom and knowledge and there may even be the whole 5 fold ministry present in that church, not just pastor and/or priest anymore, but apostles, prophets, evangelists etc for the building up of the saints into maturity in order to become true sons of God under the lordship of our most loving father of lights and every good gift from the heavenly realms
@@MrPeach1 oh I've been baptized multiple times in different types of churches just for good measure my brother, so I know the importance of water baptism, I just believe these days in the full immersion, not just the Catholic sprinkling of water at such a young age which is done with no free will choice there which is of much importance imoho
@@theta_clips yes one another, as collective priests and prophets through Christ's special anointing of his spirit, we confess to the brethren at large, not specific priests in dog collars, of course wise elders are important to find, people you can trust as a good confidante, but not necessarily someone who has five 7 to 8 years of seminary school
9:24 Fr Mike has a 9:24 missionyu about Confession. Praise God! Fr Mike and Fr Josh wrote a book about Reconciliation. Just pray, write everything down, make an appointment with a priest, have a conversation, and you will have so much peace that you will pray for Fr Mike forever. He has the best advice ever.
Raise your hand if you’re here to fill the “bank” for later 🙋🏼♀️. Not listening to the words but the voice is 🔥. I’ll be religious later when I’m shouting for God.
Very beautiful message, i went confession with Fr. Brian for along time and now i didn't go confession because I was nervous and worried about my friend at work named Christina and her daughter is not doing well and got cancer and still feel sad i hope her family is going okay. I wish I could have confession with Father Mike Schmitz and Fr. Brian someday.😥😥😥😥😥☹☹☹☹☹☹🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏
Over the past two years I have read the entire Bible with Fr Mike’s podcast and now I am reading the Catechism. I have to admit I still don’t understand the sacrament of reconciliation. When I read the Bible, to me it seems like the Eucharist accomplishes reconciliation. Jesus’ death was the sacrifice that forgives your sins. When you receive and say I believe “Amen” aren’t you accepting the sacrifice and forgiveness. I am not saying I don’t believe in confession; just still trying to logically work thru it. Thanks for your work Fr Mike!
It’s such a wonderful feeling post Confession and Absolution. The weight that’s lifted is extremely palpable for me, (probably for everyone). The feeling of being at peace with God is the best. Imagine what it feels like to be in His Presence! Peace!
Recently subscribed to this channel. I absolutely love the energy, yet simple way you break down these types of questions and explain the answers. You're a phenomenal priest and thank you for your videos and messages. May God continue to Bless us all with the wisdom He has Blessed you with. 🙏🏻✝️❤️
Piece of cake going to confession in our modern day church,Our Priest is soft spoken, kind,caring, helps when one has difficulty to speak…..can’t say the same for going to confession in the 40s,50s. It’s a blessing to go to confession….very cathartic
Confession is an intrinsically healthy exercise. But I share your anxiety. As likely as not what weighs most on our minds are venial ( `trivial` Sins ). The more tragic Sins are those when we are too fast to judge our fellows, gossip, pride and greed. I think that War is also a grave Sin. It amounts to essentially greed - in theft of land and life as if there is something better than life. But I don`t suppose you are guilty of causing a war. Some people may be guilty of causing wars. As to Confession, we might as well examine our consiences and `spill the beans` ( `tell it,` forgive me - I`m from the north of England ) and get the weight off our chests than leave the Box still in anxiety. It is not likely that you`ll tell a Priest something he has not heard before. And you`ll certainly not tell God something He`s never heard before. We should ease our minds and try not to put weight on them in future. We can do no more.
If you’ve confessed to the Lord and believe in Christ’s finished work on the cross then you are redeemed. Yes I know we can carry the weight of guilt because of our sin BUT it is through Jesus sacrifice that we are forgiven. He paid it all on the cross! If you’re in the Catholic faith then I’m sure it’s “required” to earn grace. We just need to rest in the assurance of his saving grace. We don’t need all these sacraments to earn grace or to pay for any penalties for our sin
@@EIonMusk1unfortunately, you don't know what you are talking about. Try to study it more and read more about, you will be surprised how a lot of people is under elementary level with their faith. May God give you the wisdom to understand it better.
Father Mike, first I thank you for everything you do in God's name. Second, I pray for more religious vocations. We need more priests to give us the gifts of the Sacraments, especially the Holy Eucharist and the Sacrament of Confession. I cannot imagine how I can live without our good priests to say Mass and absolve us from sins. If I were a single man today, I would have become one. It would be the greatest honor to be called to serve God as a priest. I am so grateful for all religious servants, especially the priests, and nuns. May God continue to bless you with the Holy Spirit, and good health so you can continue to teach us all. Thank you Father Mike😊
Beautiful Fr Mike. So much in the video to help me explain the Sacrament to others especially those who have been away from Sacrament. God bless us all.❤🙏
God Bless you Father Mike! I know I need to go to confession 😥😭 Please pray I can repent go and change my life. God Bless everyone! Our Lady of Fatima pray for us 🙏❤
Justin please do not end it. Seek a priest. Don't let the devil win.... you are a child of God and He loves you. Even as trying as this world is, focus on Christ - keep your eyes on Him and hold onto Him tightly. Adding you to prayers... be at peace, Justin.
Hang in there, Justin! Push through the darkness- there is light and life on the other side of it. Sorry you are going through a tough time! Do seek a priest to help you through. Also adding you to my prayers.🙏🙏🙏
I'll be honest everyone is different, for example I prefer the barking type, I want to know what is okay or not. I went to NO confession in the UK at the start of the year and he was saying "do you know God loves you" and just in that area multiple times ...it was unrelated to the specific thing I had been talking about, it was very boomer. I had to bite my tongue... I reminded myself, I'm sure that approach will be good for someone ... not for me though, I want to hear if I've done wrong, why it's wrong and practical advice and info. I remember when I was in high school a priest barking, at the time I was upset and scared of him ... now it's one of my fondest memories and a memorable confession to this day ... I remember him in my prayers from time to time (sadly he passed away). My point is... everyone is different.
I know this is a small detail but I noticed you don't move your eyes reading a script during these videos (or if you are, I honestly can't tell) and it makes it so much more genuine than some other videos I've seen. Your videos are amazing and your messages reach into the pits of my soul and give me inspiration and hope and admiration for God. Thank you!
"Mercy ranks above justice". Never realized how much this serves as the main pillar of Christianity until I saw this video. And this is manifested in the sacrament of Reconciliation.
I tend to agree with you. Confession is my weak point. It seems a few priests I've confessed to had a past shall I say and were let go by the church or left on their own. I have great trouble confessing to a flawed human being who sins like the rest of us. I confess to my Father in Heaven. He knows me inside and out and what I have done, failed to do and will do in the future. I can tell my Father anything but I find it almost impossible to tell the same things to a priest in a confessional. Oh well, a work in progress:)
@pksmith1275 Are you under the assumption that a priest IS God? Of course they are sinners, just like you and me. If Jesus only allowed sinless men to carry out his mission, Peter would never have been given the keys. Do you think Jesus did not know that Judas would betray him? Of course he did! But he did not let that take him away from the mission he was sent to fulfill. Neither does it take away from the priestly ordination when a priest is not living a pristine life. He still, in the persona of Christ, fulfills his duties. Blessings❤
@@gerloyd6098 I know that a priest IS NOT God. And, I agree with everything you said and had knowledge of this info beforehand. It's my opinion that a priest needs to bring his best to the confessional and not be a judge over someone; have some compassion and understanding. I slipped up in my wording, unfortunately, and this priest was all over it and that's when I thought I can't do this again. He completely misunderstood what I said and it was too late to correct my words because he was already into his 'thing' of judgment. Oh well, bad experience. Peace to you always!!
@@pksmith1275 If you have gone to a priest for confession and he 'judged' you, I would speak to him about it. The confessional is not the place to discuss things. It is the place to have your sins that you tell the priest forgiven. That's all. If he didn't understand you, it could have been for that reason. Go to him and tell him what you just wrote here. Blessings.
@@pksmith1275 you only need to ask Jesus to forgive your sins! At home in the quiet.. that's it. God made it simple! But men made religion makes it difficult, sadly! Read your Bible and ask the Holy Spirit to open your heart and understanding for it. God bless you🙏
Thank you Father Mike. My mother doesn’t let me go to Church, and always finds the excuse of “your brother doesn’t want to go” or my favorite, “I’m to tired”, when all she’s done is sit around watching TV. And I’ve asked some friends and people online if I can repent without a priest (because of aforementioned issues), and now that I know I can, I don’t need to worry anymore. God Bless you Father Mike, love from Ohio.
Been binge watching this channel to learn more. I grew up Pentecostal now more non denominational but after learning im gonna go check out a Catholic Church tomorrow!
I team teach 8th grade Faith Formation in my parish. During lent this past year, we offered to take our students to confession. We were sad to realize that there were quite a few of our students hadn’t gone to confession for years, some since their first reconciliation when they were 8. Two of the students actually had panic attacks and had to go outside because they couldn’t handle it. So I’m frustrated that our Faith Formation team hasn’t made this a priority throughout their years but super frustrated with parents who aren’t doing what they promised when they had their children baptized. That they haven’t made it a priority in their own lives and now their children are afraid to go, even when they’re pretty good kids. It makes me very sad that something so beautiful and merciful has become something, instead, to be afraid of and something to avoid.
I’m teaching first-year confirmation to 14-year olds. I’ve brought up the need to attend confession and have promised that I would make my own confession before Christmas (it’s been six months).The vast majority of my students have not made confession since their First Communion. We are in the process of memorizing the Act of Contrition. During Monday’s class we will talk about this again. I’m encouraging the students to attend what I call confess-a-thon in December, where many priests from other parishes come in to hear confession, it’s a bit lower-stress versus the one-on-one.
What about when you don't feel a connection anymore? The priest we have in our parish is always like "well hurry up I got a line waiting" it's starting to be more like obligation, just yesterday I caught the lady in front of me talking bad about this lady's dress while in mass! I've been a Catholic all my life but lately it seems like our parish is starting to fall apart. Yes I pray for those including the priest, I'm just getting tired ....mass in our small community isnt what it used to be. Peace be with you
Please try to find a priest in another parish if you can. There are some absolutely wonderful confessors out there, don’t let one priest keep you from experiencing the healing power of the Sacrament of Confession!
Years ago ,I had stopped going to church and praying. When I did come back, i went to confession after a long time. This was at Easter. After confession I went to the pews to pray. As I was praying the Our Father, I heard my name called loudly. I suddenly looked around as it was loud, but nobody was looking at me, as there where just a few people. I know it was God.
Born and raised as a Catholic. I left the church in my youth, came back and raised my children in the church (although wasn't a believer of Catholicism ). Left again and now after 30 some years have come back. I am nervous to go to confession after so very many years as I still remember my first confession as a child and the priest kinda yelling at me ( my only sins then were disobeying my parents). It left a scar of judgement instead of mercury / forgiveness. I wish I could have confession with Fr Mike Schmitz as he has understanding and empathy...
Have to say , it’s hard to go to confession when you’re not crazy about the priest. I know , I know it’s about absolution, nevertheless it’s yucky … peace and light everybody. Fr. Mike , your heart is a shining light. ♥️
I really like what he’s saying however I have been to several nondenominational churches so there was no opportunity to go to confession. I agree that God will forgive those who ask but also actively repent from sin on a daily basis. God knows our hearts and weather we are sincere when asking for forgiveness.
Went after 35+ years. Incredible experience. The sins I confessed, I cannot even force myself to think about - they are GONE! As such, I go every 3-4 weeks. Most of the time I don’t even know what I will confess but sitting in the pew, asking for the Holy Spirit to show me what I must confess, it comes to me. It works every time. Just go and feel the freedom in saying the sin and performing the reconciliation. It works!
Just had my first confession in over 35 years. God has been calling me for a long time to return. I was nervous, scared and embarrassed. Wrote my sins down so I wouldn’t forget anything. Leaving with such peace knowing I am loved and forgiven!! If you haven’t gone in a long time, just go!!!!
Indeed the sacrament of confession is truly a GIFT. When I was in mortal sin, I couldn’t get to confession fast enough. Yes, I asked Jesus in my heart and in the privacy of my own room but when receiving absolution from my priest was, by far, the relief of the heavy burden on my soul. Every priest of the Catholic Church ordained can be linked all the way back to the apostle Peter, buried there in Rome as the first pope. Jesus used Catholic priests as HIS vessel when hearing our concessions and what comes from the. Mouth of the priest I listen too carefully. They are words coming from Jesus. What a relief to know that Jesus is truly there and cleanses me of my iniquity in the sacrament of reconciliation. Thank you oh, Jesus for all the priests who hear confession. Sure, priests are human and sin as well, but God will use them as his vessel of choice to bring peace to the world in forgiveness. Thank you God for your church. Bless all the priests & clergy. Keep them strong in the Holy Spirit. In the mighty name of Jesus, amen. 🙏 in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.
Father Mike, I feel inspired to share this experience I had today. It has been a rough month/s for me spiritually and God had reconciled me again back to Himself Reflection and experience: "In God I trust, I shall not fear." Psalm 56 The LORD has saved me today, He has led me to come back to and He sent His Mother after me and She brought me to Him. She did not relent praying for me. And I think God helped me remember that one article that said "say that 'Our Lady has sent me' before you go to confession." It gave me courage. And She heard my prayers and petitions even though I was afraid to go confession. I didn't even notice that the devil's gaping maw is wrapped around my neck trying o drag me away from being reconciled with God. Only through God's grace I had the courage to go. God gave me, a sinner, the grace of holy tears during the confession. But that was only the icing on the cake of utter hope and reconciliation. And God reminded me and consoled me in the mass, "In God I trust, I shall not fear."
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I went to confession for the first time in many years. I was so nervous, but the priest was so kind, telling me that I was God’s precious, loved child, and that He was so happy to see me back at church. I practically floated out of there!
Seems like an oxymoron but keep going often; stay in the habit.
I haven't been for 35+ years. Lord give me courage to come back to you.
@@ellem6050 , do it!!!
😊👍❤️
@@ellem6050 exactly what you've said. The confessional narrow door is like the narrow gate Jesus talks about saying few have the courage to enter and so many are on the road that leads to destruction.
I leave you with this encouragement, don't let the things of this life overwhelm you because God wants His love soley to overwhelm you. Prepare to restore the love between you and God. I'm so happy for you.
Be blessed, Live blessed; bless others.
@@ellem6050 DO IT!! let Him carry your load. He knows its too heavy for you alone and He wants to help. let Him love you. it will be the best day in a long time
Father Mike, you inspired me. I started to watch your videos, then your masses. After 32 years I have returned to the church. The first time I went to confession it was very difficult. I admitted the worst sins I was aware of. The priest gave me a pamphlet: guide to confession. I pondered over it the next week. The second week I confessed the rest of my sins. Then I prayed Jesus, I know you forgive me, help me to forgive myself. On the way home I felt a great happiness and then a phrase came to me. You are a child of Christ. Thank you for what you do! Truly God’s work. You’ve returned a led astray catholic back to the flock. God’s blessings to you!
Thank you for sharing. This brought tears to my eyes 🥲
beautiful! Praise God!
Welcome Home! I'm back myself after several years gone.
Oh, what a blessing! ❤️🙏♥️
I do act of contrition every night hoping God will forgive me. I know he will.
I was baptised in my mid twienties and left the church . I was living in darkness and my life was spiraling down hill, I know I needed God. One day at work, feeling so lost I said quietly in my heart: dear God, I am sorry and I want to come back to you. Then, everything changed in my life. The Holy Spirit guided me every step. First, I went to see my godma and she advised me to go to confession. Feeling apprehensive but knowing this is what I must do, I head to the confessional for the first time after seven years. When I told the priest all my sins, which are scarlet and red as crimson, he said Jesus is smiling from ear to ear and wanting to welcome me back to Him with a wide open arms. He said there is no sin so big that God cannot forgive. I looked up and saw a kind face that I have never seen, I thought he looked like Jesus, my Lord and my God. Almost thirty years on, every time I step into the church for my daily Mass I would smile from ear to ear because I know Jesus is waiting for me with wide open arms and smiling from ear to ear every time he sees me ❤
Amanda, you have experienced what the Bible explains as being born again in the Gospel of John. You were moved by a work of the Holy Spirit to repent, to become humble in front of him. You feel different because the Holy Spirit now lives inside of you. Please read the book of Hebrews and the Gospel of John. God's word, The Bible, written by the Prophets and the Apostles is your authority now. Don't weigh yourself down by the law keeping and rule keeping of the Catholic church. You've been saved by the blood of Christ and no other. The Catholic church is a large church, and Jesus said, the gate that leads to life is narrow and few find it, the gate that leads to destruction is wide and many find it. The teachings of the church have strayed away from the Gospel. The Apostle paul would not recognize her now. In the book of Galatians Paul warned the Galatians about believing a false Gospel because they added circumcision to the work of Christ. Jesus said my yoke is easy, my burden is light. Don't let any church put the yoke of rule keeping upon you. Please investigate these things. I pray for your walk with Christ.
amazing!
@@jrainey44 "The Bible, written by the Prophets and the Apostles is your authority now. Don't weigh yourself down by the law keeping and rule keeping of the Catholic church."
Jesus put the Church in authority. The Church wrote the New Testament and codified it. That is the only reason you have it, and the only reason you know anything at all about Christianity. What you are doing here is evil. You are acting like the devil in trying to tempt someone away from the Faith.
I won't bother with the rest of your lies. You stand self-condemned by spewing such nonsense.
So very happy for you! May God bless you always!
Water Baptism "delivers no one." You were not delivered, the Holy Spirit was not given to you by your Catholic Baptism:
"When we made our first profession of faith while RECEIVING the holy Baptism that CLEANSED us, the FORGIVENESS we received then was so FULL and COMPLETE that there remained in us ABSOLUTELY NOTHING LEFT to EFFACE, neither original sin nor offenses committed by our own will, nor was there left any penalty to suffer in order to expiate them. . . . YET the GRACE of Baptism DELIVERS NO ONE from all the weakness of nature. On the contrary, we must still combat the movements of concupiscence that never cease leading us into evil."(978)
"Yet, the grace of Baptism delivers no one" from sin.
Only faith/belief in Jesus Christ alone delivers a sinner. Have you ever read the words of Jesus Christ or the words of the Apostles concerning salvation?
ST. THOMAS AQUINAS: “A penitent’s sins are forgiven, not when the priest says the sacramental words of absolution over him or her, nor when the penitent completes the assigned penance, but the instant the penitent is truly sorry for his or her sins.”
@@halo1403 POPE BENEDICT XVI: An inmate asked the pope why he had to go to confession for pardon instead of just getting on his knees and asking God for forgiveness. Pope Benedict, XVI responded, “Naturally, if you get on your knees and, with real love for God, pray that God forgive you, he will.”
Well, that happens for me before I even drive to the church, so why do I still have to go to confession.
@@virginiaspeciale8641 You don't have to go to confession. When we read the Acts of the Apostles and the Epistles, we never see the apostles hearing anyone's confession. Jesus paid for all our sins on the cross and He gives us the free gift of salvation.
Well God uses intermediaries such as priest in confession to forgive sins. God can only forgive but God uses the priest as a representative. When the priest says “I absolve you from your sins” that is a clear confirmation that God has forgiven you. Saying your deepest and darkest sins aloud and to a priest is the most embarrassing experience at first. But it’s supposed to be, as it is the only way to retrieve us from sin and gain back our humility. As humility is the only virtue Satan cannot attain, which is why he hates it when we attend confession, because we are recognising that we are too prideful and need to humbly submit to Gods grace.
@@GustAdlph You don't read about them going to the toilet... but I'm guessing they did that too...
Yes - Jesus did pay for our sins on the cross and yes, salvation is free. So is Confession. Every time we confess our sins and acknowledge them, Jesus is able to add that sin's consequences to the cross and take them away from us. If you don't confess them, you will never truly be sorry for them. If you're not truly sorry for them, how can you be forgiven? Pray in secret - confess to one another. It is a humbling experience and he who is humbled is greatest of all.
It is a gift from God! After many years of turning my back to Christ I came back. I was confirmed in the Catholic faith along with my son on an Easter Sunday. As I went to confession, I recalled all of the most grievous sins that I could remember, but knowing there were many that were long forgotten. I was forthcoming with the Priest and told him that I know I had many sins, along with sins that were considered mortal sins, that I know I could not remember. I told him how deeply sorry I was for all of my sins and how my sins not only were hurtful to others but most importantly how much they hurt Jesus. The Priest absolved me of my sins and a great burden had been lifted off of me, I could physically feel this burden being lifted. For anyone on the fence, come back to our Lord and receive this most merciful & wonderful Sacrament. Take care and may God Bless each and everyone of you!
Confession is my favorite sacrament along with receiving Jesus! ❤
Padre Pio inspired me to go to confession
Me 2!
Padre Pio would probably yell at me. 😅
@@seeder1252 yep and he would told you your sins because Jesus allowed him to read his notebook 📓
Amen.
@@Call_Upon_YAHbrother we love Jesus and we know as Catholics who god is!!! We do not worship Mary!!! We venerate her idk if you know that word “venerate.” It means to honor her❤️ without Mary as the new ark of the convent, our lord and savior would not have been born into this world through her he became flesh within her conception through the Holy Spirit. And as for the sacrament of confession read John Chapter 20/ 20:23 there is what started the sacrament of confession. Through the Holy Spirit
8:30 The gift of God’s love = love that we deserve the least but need the most = Mercy
Recently I was waiting for the bus, and I was feeling so weak that I thought I was dying. I opened up my heart to Jesus and begged for absolution if I could not make it through this weakness before He took me home! Well, with the assurance that Jesus was with me and He could forgive my sins in this moment of crisis, just like He did with the thief on the Cross, I did manage to drag myself home from the bus stop. I was so grateful for His mercy at that moment!
Have you been to confession yet?
I am an adult convert, scheduled to be confirmed this Pentecost Sunday (one week from tomorrow). I was baptized in another tradition when I was 11, and the Church has graciously accepted my baptism. I have always confessed my sins directly to Jesus, and I have felt and known His forgiveness when I have done so. Yesterday, however, I made my first confession to a priest. I confessed all the sins I could remember since my baptism, even though I had already confessed them to Jesus. I needed to. After reflecting on my sins over the years, even those that I had already confessed to our High Priest, I was ready to literally run to the priest. He was so gentle and kind. He gave me an easy penance to do, and a lot of good counsel. It was a wonderful, healing experience. Thanks be to God! He is merciful!
we welcome you with open arms 🤗
@@barackobama6863 Thank you, rob! Everyone has been so kind!
Welcome...😊🙏
"Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of thy faithful and enkindle in them the fire of your LOVE ❤ Send forth your SPIRIT and we shall be created and thou shall renew the face of the earth.."
🕊 🔥 🕊 🔥 🕊 🔥 🕊 🔥
@@jenndesouza5312 Thank you! Amen!
Hi ! So do you feel you really needed to do it, or do you think confessing directly to Jesus was enough nevertheless ?
The best thing that happened to me when i returned to the church was that my priest was diabetic, i had an appointment right after lunch and in his humanity he fell asleep. I said absolutely everything because never look a gift horse in the mouth. I recieved his absolution and later, some great conversations that increased my faith. This dear human gave me an out to get honest with God after some very serious church trauma. I am forever grateful
My first confession in almost 50yrs was beautiful, I had forgotten how beautiful The Catholic Church is…🙏🏻
You dont need the church...you can confess straight to God
@@lettersandwordsandstuffs I agree. People need to cut out the middle man and go to their Bible. The Bible is clear that Jesus is the mediator between men and God. Why confess to a priest that has been proven to be more sinful than we are.
there you are ,your pride shows "priest been proven to be more sinful than we are" be careful brother your lacking knowledge and wisdom. dont talk foolish without knowing. I hear bias on your own words @@barbwire7449
@@lettersandwordsandstuffs John 20:22 - the Lord “breathes” on the apostles, and then gives them the power to forgive and retain sins. Then what was the point of Jesus giving His bishopric the power to forgive or retain sins? I'll stick to what Jesus teaches.
John 20:23 - Jesus says, “If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven. If you retain the sins of any, they are retained.” In order for the apostles to exercise this gift of forgiving sins, the penitents must orally confess their sins to them because the apostles are not mind readers. The text makes this very clear.
1 Tim. 2:5 - Christ is the only mediator, but He was free to decide how His mediation would be applied to us.
Acts 19:18 - many came to orally confess sins and divulge their sinful practices. Oral confession was the practice of the early Church just as it is today.
Glad you came back
If I didn’t have to go to a priest to confess I’d probably keep committing some sins over and over. If you have a good priest they give you guidance along with penance. It makes it much easier for me to think before I act. There is nothing more uplifting than coming out of the confessional. I feel sorry for those who don’t know the feeling of being unburdened.
true
@@terrorists-are-among-us
We are supposed to call out evil and pray for them.
Ephesians 5:11 And so, have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead, refute them.
So your faith is in man and not Christ Jesus because it's a sinful man behind a screen in a building that keeps you from sinning but not your love for an almighty perfect God who gave his life for you? Read Hebrews 10 and see these man made sacraments get you no where. Praying to Mary is negating God cause she is creation like the rest of us. Praying are father a certain amount of times removes nothing. He wants you not a fake relationship that has man made barriers. Pray to him now and repent now and talk to him. Don't know what to pray about then pray a Psalm. Let his words through the Holy Spirit uplift you. God bless.
@@Mr.C-Mister Hanna prayed in stammering lips; Jews have repetitious prayers; called missals. When the war was won; under the guidance of not the VM; BUT UNDER: Deborrah the Judge/Queen: They sang praises to her; as they did to King David; which made Saul jealous; as the devil is: of the woman who said; "yes." She won the war of "yes". For that which we do the Rosary.
God bless you fr
I come from a Catholic Island (Malta) and I grew up in a highly devoted family . Thanks God most of the Maltese are still practicing Christian's but we have a decline like many western countries of vocations and lack of priest. It is hard to find priests available for confession so personally I haven't been to confession for a very long time. Would say 20 years but I go to mass regularly and I ask God to forgive my sins before communion. I believe God forgives me .
I actually never thought of it that way, Christianity introduced mercy and forgiveness, I love that, thanks Father Mike
Having that burden of sin lifted from yourself is so precious , Thank You Jesus
Watching this with my husband; he’s Catholic, and I’m doing RCIA in the fall. ☺️
Deo Gratias
Praise God! praying for you.
What on earth would drive anyone to become Catholic today?
@@michaelverde4844 nothing on earth, but everything heavenly does.
Welcome home!!! I came into the Church in 2020 and I will never look back.
I have always felt like confessing is like asking for forgiveness. When you hurt someone, you can feel sorry, but if you don't go to that person and say you're sorry, then it doesn't count as apologizing. Confession helps us stay accountable, and priests are not there to judge us or anything, but to hear us and hold our hand as we are admitting the things we did to God. Confession shouldn't feel as an obligation but as an opportunity to open our hearts to God.
The idea "God is bound TO His sacraments, but is not bound BY His sacraments" is mind blowing. Really loved that one.
I was away for 10 years. My first confession back was so wonderful. If I have repetitive thoughts about something I did and examine the thought it was connected to a sun. Once confessed the devil can not repeat it to God and I am forgiven. Amazing Grace.
Thank you so much for your beautiful message, Fr. Mike. This is not made to be a burden. This is a gift. It's a gift of God's love. The love what we deserve the least but need the most. It's mercy.
Our Lord is merciful, indeed! Thank you for your generosity, Khoa.
Scammed.
"God has bound Himself to His sacraments but God is not bound by His sacraments"!
This helped me soo much, thank you Father Mike and God bless you!
I cannot begin to describe how much I needed this video right at this very moment! I feel like He’s calling to me 😢
If you think he's calling you...He IS 🙏🏽
Do an Act of Contriction every night. He will forgive us. If you can go to the confession, even better.
these priests cant forgive sins. only God can. these priests are not your father for your father is in heaven (God). you can easily confess your sins in the privacy of your own home to God in prayer.
this is a false teaching and hope one of you wakes up to the truth.
Jesus Christ is calling you! Ask him for forgiveness, tell him what you did.
Your hearing things. God is not real.
I went to confession after years away, feeling sure that the sins I had committed were unforgivable. I just needed to tell a priest what I had done. Hoping that I could come back to the church even if it meant I might be excommunicated on the spot. Or that I could never ever again receive communion. As I bawled my eyes out in the confessional, the priest welcomed me back as a sheep who came back to the fold. The feeling that came over me was like a warm hug from God, through the Holy Spirit. I never want to lose that feeling.
Same experience and same wonderful feeling of being loved by the Lord. I felt unworthy and yet ever felt so loved and accepted. God bless you❤
Truly an amazing experience. The first confession I gave after being woefully lapsed my whole life in the Orthodox church, I cried tears of joy. A weight was lifted off of me that I didn't even realize had been dragging me down. Truly God's mercy is infinite and beautiful.
Jesus is the Just Judge and the Merciful Saviour!
He is always pleased to pour out His Mercy upon us, welcoming us with open arms!
Confess your sins to God and Him only,not a man. Come boldly to the throne of grace. Pray to God through Jesus Christ, because he is your High Priest,your intercessor, Mediator, Advocate. Christ died for your sins,not a man in a booth claiming to forgive sins,in the Hebrew society that is blasphemy for a man claiming to be God and to forgive sins.
@@hopenavajo1391 Christ gave the power to remit sin to all the Apostles. The Church was formed on Pentecost. We should always be praying for forgiveness to God, but to say that a priest who has been properly ordained by an apostolic bishop cannot forgive your sins through the power of the Holy Trinity is antibiblical and is heresy. Please stop and turn back to the Church.
Hi Father Mike. So glad I came across this clip. I have been burdened by my sin for years. Was so afraid to go to confession, because I felt such shame and terrible guilt over my sin. Watched your video over and over, looking for courage and proper contriteness of heart to bring myself to confession, knowing that confession is truly a blessing. I went to confession today. Oh man, things poured out of me that took me by surprise. In so many many ways relieved and hopefully closer to God. Your reminder that Jesus bore our shame and guilt. A gift indeed!! Thanks again, and thanks for helping me back into the Faith.
Father Mike you inject faith, hope and belief in our Church in such a beautiful and common sense way thank you for your Ministry 🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽
Cause that was the best speech I have ever heard from McConaughey .. never forgot it. Three words, simple and straight to the point .
Add to this that we're human, and we need to hear, 'I forgive you, My beloved child.' I thank God for the priesthood!
God was invented by humans. He is not real.
@@TboneWTFI once thought like you, and I contributed to leading many people astray, into the same kinds of sins I needed to confess for.
He's real, I'll pray that you have the time to realize it before your time comes. May God bless you.
@@S.Grenier Please don't pray for me as it would be embarrassing for both of us. It's a shame you didn't have the courage to live your own life. Good luck any way.
@@TboneWTF The fool says in his heart,
“There is no God.”
Their deeds are loathsome and corrupt;
not one does what is good.
The LORD looks down from heaven
upon the children of men,
To see if even one is wise,
if even one seeks God.
All have gone astray;
all alike are perverse.
Not one does what is good,
not even one. [Psalm 14:1-3].
@@For3nity LOL. The mindless fanatic says: "I see nothing. I hear nothing but there must be something." Good luck my gullible friend.
I have only always found Mercy in the confessional. I am sooooo hard on myself. Thank You Lord Jesus for you endless Mercy towards me. Thanks for loving me unconditionally. Let me never be separated from You. Grant that I may love You always and do with me as You will.
Father Mike, you are a light of good in this tempting and distracted world.
Pray that we can all remain humble enough to recognize the need for repentance and mercy
“Call no man father” Catholics have clearly never read a bible 😂
1 Timothy 2:5
For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus.
I love your videos, Fr Mike! You are so real and genuine and your explanations are always so great! You bring so much goodness when it comes to the Lord. When I can't attend mass, I watch you instead and I just love you!!!
Boy, lately it seems like whenever I have a question, or someone is questioning my Catholic faith, Father Mike comes out with a video.😂🙏🏻❤️ Just had a friend tell me yesterday that they didn’t believe confession with a priest was necessary and there was no telling them any different. 😏🙏🏻
that is God speaking to you through others!!
I think God wants us to be aware of His Mercy, to ask for His forgiveness. If we go to confession, we experience that Love of God as He wants to Love us. It is a beautiful sacrament, we should be so grateful for. Thank you. God Bless. Claire.
I left the Catholic Church behind in my youth. As I reflect on my life now that I’m almost seventy I can clearly see it was a choice to be free of the guilt I felt for secret sin not confessed. I believe in forgiveness, the forgiveness of sin and forgiving others as well as teaching and encouraging others to practice forgiveness. I am exploring my beliefs that held me back and I had a physical response several times as I listened today. In spite of my free will I have concluded that my spirit and soul long to be free of sin as if that longing is a created part of us that opposes the choices we make on a physical level. I have so many more questions to work through but I’m thankful for you as a resource.
Thank you for sharing your story. We are humbled to hear how the Lord may be stirring in your heart - we'll be praying for you!
Confession... sometimes referred to as the forgotten Sacrament. It is so complete, so sublime, so fully perfect, I would go crazy insane without it!! This Sacrament has restored my peace time & time again.
Wow. Awesome explanation of why we should go to confession. Thank you. I go to confession for God's mercy and forgiveness through the hands of a priest. What a great feeling after I have after confession.
This is SO CLEAR it brough me to tears! Thx Fr. Mike !
I have been pondering about going to confession. I was questioning whether I needed to go. I think God was speaking to me through Father Mike. I called my parish today about a personal confession.
Leaving Confession is the best feeling in the world. Viva Cristo Rey🙏
Amen 🙏🏽☺️
How would you feel if the priest decides to spread the confession and blackmail you.
@@hopenavajo1391 he is bound by catholic law to not tell anyone
@@Godbless0000 only the divine Law of God is above any man made law. Yes,God still loves His children in the Catholic communion, but tradition of the church cannot save them. God bless.🙏🙏.
@@Godbless0000 Christ says to preach the Gospel to every creatures on this sinful world, including Catholics or else there will be blood on our hands and be held accountable.🖐️
Father Mike you are so right. I think most of us Catholics think of confession as a burden or a bother and not a gift. Thank you for reminding us of this gift. I love your videos.
Getting confirmed at the Raleigh Cathedral on Saturday at the Easter vigil. I was so nervous for my first confession but now it’s something I look forward to. The spiritual “glow” and strength and lightness is amazing. It’s like Fr said when we were talking, it’s such a blessing that when we mess up, we can just go and talk to Dad and be reconciled.
Praise Jesus! 🙌🫶
I came back to the Catholic Church last year. I've had a massive problem with the confession. But I've forced myself to go every time and now... honestly? I cannot wait for the next one. Especially since I've experienced Lord's mercy so deeply just before the Easter.
You’ve fallen for pagan church… Catholics have clearly never read a bible 😂
1 Timothy 2:5
For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus.
It's such a wonderful grace of healing. Pray to the Holy Spirit before going to confession. I write my sins down so I don't forget & I don't keep the other people waiting and you don't want to write a book, a list of sins without explanation. When you receive the mercy and healing Praise God. Thank you Fr. Mike. Sharing
Thank you. Father Mike. Your videos do reach my soul and I do appreciate your efforts. (they are working albeit, painfully slowly..."where there is Faith, there is Hope")
Fr Mike's such a legend , love him
I love your honesty
God bless you brother
Najib afghan Christ follower and ex Muslim from Afghanistan
Jesus Christ is Lord and savior!🙏🙏🕊️
Welcome to the Mastership; welcome to the sheepfold; of the Master; the Lord Jesus Christ.
Absolutely!!!!! God is everywhere….the first thing you learn as a catholic!
Thank you Father Mike. Many Catholics and non Catholics just don't "get" going to Confession to a Priest. They see the negative but they miss the AMAZING, WONDERFUL, FREEING positive of Confession.
@@Call_Upon_YAH This known anti-Catholic troll bot does nothing but paste the same idiotic drivel everywhere.
Only God can forgive sin,not a man.
@@hopenavajo1391 "Only God can forgive sin,not a man."
Jesus gave His priests, the Apostles, the power to forgive or retain sins.
@@MillionthUsername you are very wrong with that assertion,none of the disciples were given the power to forgive sins. We're sinners before the Lord.
@@MillionthUsername show me a verse from the Bible itself where a man can forgive sins,not from the Catechism itself,but from the Word of God.
The Love We Deserve The Least But Need The Most . That's Beautiful .
Father I’ve been listening to your Podcasts on The Holy Bible every night before I go to sleep. And today without looking I came across your videos!!! Wow I’m so happy,your explanations are so concise and understandable. I saw the entire video named “Why Do I Have Go Go To Confession”. In 1991 I did my second confession it was a nightmare!! I left the confessional feeling unwanted and unloved by Christ,the result of the Priest who heard my confession to me sounded like never mind you’ve got no hope. The Church will not absolve you. My sins were not in any illegal or moral way, but I felt so hurt. I go to Mass maybe twice a year and tears flow down my face because that Priest told me I can’t ever receive Holy Communion.
Please try to find another priest and make a counseling appt. Priests do not all have perfect personalities. Perhaps a different priest can help you better. Please don’t give up on going to Mass. If you believe you cannot receive Communion, perhaps let the priest bless you at the very least. God loves you.
Hi Father Mike. It is troubling me that I found you a few years ago, and the more and more I watch your videos and delve into Catholicism, the further and further away I feel myself drifting from the Catholic Church and its teachings. I feel like God is guiding me elsewhere, but I don’t know how to tell where yet. the Holy Spirit is definitely working within me, and when I converted to Catholicism 25 years ago, I guess I didn’t really understand all of the Catholic guilt that went along with it. I truly believe that Jesus forgives us through a personal relationship with him. If there is anything you can offer to help guide me on my journey, feel free. Thank you and God bless.
Praise God I say, for Jesus said that you must be born again to Nicodemus, so I would say if the holy spirit is leading you outside the Roman Catholic corrupt system, to go with God over man every time and to find a good Bible teaching church filled with the holy Ghost and in usage of the gifts of the holy spirit such as tongues and prophecy and words of wisdom and knowledge and there may even be the whole 5 fold ministry present in that church, not just pastor and/or priest anymore, but apostles, prophets, evangelists etc for the building up of the saints into maturity in order to become true sons of God under the lordship of our most loving father of lights and every good gift from the heavenly realms
Epistle of James says very clearly that we are to confess our sins to one another
@@ericwalter6504 born of water and Spirit. don't leave off the part that points to baptism.
@@MrPeach1 oh I've been baptized multiple times in different types of churches just for good measure my brother, so I know the importance of water baptism, I just believe these days in the full immersion, not just the Catholic sprinkling of water at such a young age which is done with no free will choice there which is of much importance imoho
@@theta_clips yes one another, as collective priests and prophets through Christ's special anointing of his spirit, we confess to the brethren at large, not specific priests in dog collars, of course wise elders are important to find, people you can trust as a good confidante, but not necessarily someone who has five 7 to 8 years of seminary school
Yesterday, God blessed me with the opportunity to have the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Glory to God!
9:24 Fr Mike has a 9:24 missionyu about Confession. Praise God! Fr Mike and Fr Josh wrote a book about Reconciliation.
Just pray, write everything down, make an appointment with a priest, have a conversation, and you will have so much peace that you will pray for Fr Mike forever. He has the best advice ever.
Fr. Mike you are blessing for us.. I’m such a broken woman and you give great hope to know that the lord is so merciful..
Raise your hand if you’re here to fill the “bank” for later 🙋🏼♀️. Not listening to the words but the voice is 🔥. I’ll be religious later when I’m shouting for God.
1 Timothy 2:5
“For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;”
Very beautiful message, i went confession with Fr. Brian for along time and now i didn't go confession because I was nervous and worried about my friend at work named Christina and her daughter is not doing well and got cancer and still feel sad i hope her family is going okay. I wish I could have confession with Father Mike Schmitz and Fr. Brian someday.😥😥😥😥😥☹☹☹☹☹☹🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏
Confession feels like a shower for your soul.
So True.
I feel released after making a confession with a father, praise the Lord❤
Over the past two years I have read the entire Bible with Fr Mike’s podcast and now I am reading the Catechism. I have to admit I still don’t understand the sacrament of reconciliation. When I read the Bible, to me it seems like the Eucharist accomplishes reconciliation. Jesus’ death was the sacrifice that forgives your sins. When you receive and say I believe “Amen” aren’t you accepting the sacrifice and forgiveness. I am not saying I don’t believe in confession; just still trying to logically work thru it. Thanks for your work Fr Mike!
Excellent! You are very good at explaining it in simple but specific terms God bless
many wonderful priests out there….
It’s such a wonderful feeling post Confession and Absolution. The weight that’s lifted is extremely palpable for me, (probably for everyone). The feeling of being at peace with God is the best. Imagine what it feels like to be in His Presence! Peace!
So glad I got this. Preparing for confession and want to make a very good one before Christmas ❤ God bless you Fr Schmidt❤❤🙏🙏
Recently subscribed to this channel. I absolutely love the energy, yet simple way you break down these types of questions and explain the answers. You're a phenomenal priest and thank you for your videos and messages. May God continue to Bless us all with the wisdom He has Blessed you with. 🙏🏻✝️❤️
Piece of cake going to confession in our modern day church,Our Priest is soft spoken, kind,caring, helps when one has difficulty to speak…..can’t say the same for going to confession in the 40s,50s. It’s a blessing to go to confession….very cathartic
Please pray for me so that I have the courage to go to confession.
Confession is an intrinsically healthy exercise. But I share your anxiety. As likely as not what weighs most on our minds are venial ( `trivial` Sins ). The more tragic Sins are those when we are too fast to judge our fellows, gossip, pride and greed.
I think that War is also a grave Sin. It amounts to essentially greed - in theft of land and life as if there is something better than life. But I don`t suppose you are guilty of causing a war. Some people may be guilty of causing wars.
As to Confession, we might as well examine our consiences and `spill the beans` ( `tell it,` forgive me - I`m from the north of England ) and get the weight off our chests than leave the Box still in anxiety.
It is not likely that you`ll tell a Priest something he has not heard before. And you`ll certainly not tell God something He`s never heard before.
We should ease our minds and try not to put weight on them in future. We can do no more.
@@dogwithwigwamz.7320 thank you, very helpful ❤
If you’ve confessed to the Lord and believe in Christ’s finished work on the cross then you are redeemed. Yes I know we can carry the weight of guilt because of our sin BUT it is through Jesus sacrifice that we are forgiven. He paid it all on the cross! If you’re in the Catholic faith then I’m sure it’s “required” to earn grace. We just need to rest in the assurance of his saving grace. We don’t need all these sacraments to earn grace or to pay for any penalties for our sin
Kneel down at home and pray to Jesus, he and only he can forgive sins, not some mortal man in your church who touches kids
@@EIonMusk1unfortunately, you don't know what you are talking about. Try to study it more and read more about, you will be surprised how a lot of people is under elementary level with their faith. May God give you the wisdom to understand it better.
Amen Father Mike. ✝️💜🙏
Father Mike, first I thank you for everything you do in God's name. Second, I pray for more religious vocations. We need more priests to give us the gifts of the Sacraments, especially the Holy Eucharist and the Sacrament of Confession. I cannot imagine how I can live without our good priests to say Mass and absolve us from sins. If I were a single man today, I would have become one. It would be the greatest honor to be called to serve God as a priest. I am so grateful for all religious servants, especially the priests, and nuns. May God continue to bless you with the Holy Spirit, and good health so you can continue to teach us all. Thank you Father Mike😊
You can go right to Jesus yourself and ask for forgiveness.
Beautiful Fr Mike. So much in the video to help me explain the Sacrament to others especially those who have been away from Sacrament. God bless us all.❤🙏
God Bless you Father Mike! I know I need to go to confession 😥😭 Please pray I can repent go and change my life. God Bless everyone! Our Lady of Fatima pray for us 🙏❤
Just ask Jesus for forgiveness,you don't have to go to a priest
Father. You have been a huge pull for God to come back into my life. I am on the verge of ending things, I am struggling. I need help.
May you feel the Love of God as He holds you close to His Sacred Heart. In Nomine Patris et Filii et Spiritu Sancti. +Amen
Justin please do not end it. Seek a priest. Don't let the devil win.... you are a child of God and He loves you. Even as trying as this world is, focus on Christ - keep your eyes on Him and hold onto Him tightly. Adding you to prayers... be at peace, Justin.
Hang in there, Justin! Push through the darkness- there is light and life on the other side of it. Sorry you are going through a tough time! Do seek a priest to help you through. Also adding you to my prayers.🙏🙏🙏
You are dearly loved.
Thank you all. Been feeling the love, your love and Gods love
I once had a priest bark at me a little bit in confession but other than that it has been pure compassion, kindness and mercy.
Same but remember this guys know the danger we’re in when we sin they just want the best for us
I'll be honest everyone is different, for example I prefer the barking type, I want to know what is okay or not. I went to NO confession in the UK at the start of the year and he was saying "do you know God loves you" and just in that area multiple times ...it was unrelated to the specific thing I had been talking about, it was very boomer. I had to bite my tongue... I reminded myself, I'm sure that approach will be good for someone ... not for me though, I want to hear if I've done wrong, why it's wrong and practical advice and info. I remember when I was in high school a priest barking, at the time I was upset and scared of him ... now it's one of my fondest memories and a memorable confession to this day ... I remember him in my prayers from time to time (sadly he passed away).
My point is... everyone is different.
@@ecclesiaxxi6210 awesome even better !!!
I know this is a small detail but I noticed you don't move your eyes reading a script during these videos (or if you are, I honestly can't tell) and it makes it so much more genuine than some other videos I've seen. Your videos are amazing and your messages reach into the pits of my soul and give me inspiration and hope and admiration for God. Thank you!
"Mercy ranks above justice". Never realized how much this serves as the main pillar of Christianity until I saw this video. And this is manifested in the sacrament of Reconciliation.
All things are possible with God. With God, all things are possible.
God bless you Father. I hope we all hear.
Absolutely yes. You don’t need a priest for anything if it’s between you and the Almighty.
I tend to agree with you. Confession is my weak point. It seems a few priests I've confessed to had a past shall I say and were let go by the church or left on their own. I have great trouble confessing to a flawed human being who sins like the rest of us. I confess to my Father in Heaven. He knows me inside and out and what I have done, failed to do and will do in the future. I can tell my Father anything but I find it almost impossible to tell the same things to a priest in a confessional. Oh well, a work in progress:)
@pksmith1275 Are you under the assumption that a priest IS God? Of course they are sinners, just like you and me. If Jesus only allowed sinless men to carry out his mission, Peter would never have been given the keys. Do you think Jesus did not know that Judas would betray him? Of course he did! But he did not let that take him away from the mission he was sent to fulfill. Neither does it take away from the priestly ordination when a priest is not living a pristine life. He still, in the persona of Christ, fulfills his duties. Blessings❤
@@gerloyd6098 I know that a priest IS NOT God. And, I agree with everything you said and had knowledge of this info beforehand. It's my opinion that a priest needs to bring his best to the confessional and not be a judge over someone; have some compassion and understanding. I slipped up in my wording, unfortunately, and this priest was all over it and that's when I thought I can't do this again. He completely misunderstood what I said and it was too late to correct my words because he was already into his 'thing' of judgment. Oh well, bad experience. Peace to you always!!
@@pksmith1275 If you have gone to a priest for confession and he 'judged' you, I would speak to him about it. The confessional is not the place to discuss things. It is the place to have your sins that you tell the priest forgiven. That's all. If he didn't understand you, it could have been for that reason. Go to him and tell him what you just wrote here. Blessings.
@@pksmith1275 you only need to ask Jesus to forgive your sins! At home in the quiet.. that's it. God made it simple! But men made religion makes it difficult, sadly!
Read your Bible and ask the Holy Spirit to open your heart and understanding for it. God bless you🙏
Thank you Father Mike. My mother doesn’t let me go to Church, and always finds the excuse of “your brother doesn’t want to go” or my favorite, “I’m to tired”, when all she’s done is sit around watching TV. And I’ve asked some friends and people online if I can repent without a priest (because of aforementioned issues), and now that I know I can, I don’t need to worry anymore. God Bless you Father Mike, love from Ohio.
Repentance is not the same as forgiveness. If you want forgiveness then you MUST go to Confession.
Been binge watching this channel to learn more. I grew up Pentecostal now more non denominational but after learning im gonna go check out a Catholic Church tomorrow!
"The love we deserve the least but need the most."
I team teach 8th grade Faith Formation in my parish. During lent this past year, we offered to take our students to confession. We were sad to realize that there were quite a few of our students hadn’t gone to confession for years, some since their first reconciliation when they were 8. Two of the students actually had panic attacks and had to go outside because they couldn’t handle it. So I’m frustrated that our Faith Formation team hasn’t made this a priority throughout their years but super frustrated with parents who aren’t doing what they promised when they had their children baptized. That they haven’t made it a priority in their own lives and now their children are afraid to go, even when they’re pretty good kids. It makes me very sad that something so beautiful and merciful has become something, instead, to be afraid of and something to avoid.
I’m teaching first-year confirmation to 14-year olds. I’ve brought up the need to attend confession and have promised that I would make my own confession before Christmas (it’s been six months).The vast majority of my students have not made confession since their First Communion. We are in the process of memorizing the Act of Contrition. During Monday’s class we will talk about this again.
I’m encouraging the students to attend what I call confess-a-thon in December, where many priests from other parishes come in to hear confession, it’s a bit lower-stress versus the one-on-one.
What about when you don't feel a connection anymore? The priest we have in our parish is always like "well hurry up I got a line waiting" it's starting to be more like obligation, just yesterday I caught the lady in front of me talking bad about this lady's dress while in mass! I've been a Catholic all my life but lately it seems like our parish is starting to fall apart. Yes I pray for those including the priest, I'm just getting tired ....mass in our small community isnt what it used to be. Peace be with you
Please try to find a priest in another parish if you can. There are some absolutely wonderful confessors out there, don’t let one priest keep you from experiencing the healing power of the Sacrament of Confession!
Years ago ,I had stopped going to church and praying. When I did come back, i went to confession after a long time. This was at Easter. After confession I went to the pews to pray. As I was praying the Our Father, I heard my name called loudly. I suddenly looked around as it was loud, but nobody was looking at me, as there where just a few people. I know it was God.
Born and raised as a Catholic. I left the church in my youth, came back and raised my children in the church (although wasn't a believer of Catholicism ). Left again and now after 30 some years have come back.
I am nervous to go to confession after so very many years as I still remember my first confession as a child and the priest kinda yelling at me ( my only sins then were disobeying my parents). It left a scar of judgement instead of mercury / forgiveness.
I wish I could have confession with Fr Mike Schmitz as he has understanding and empathy...
Just go! I just went after 35 years. As soon as you open your heart you’ll feel God working!
Have to say , it’s hard to go to confession when you’re not crazy about the priest. I know , I know it’s about absolution, nevertheless it’s yucky … peace and light everybody. Fr. Mike , your heart is a shining light. ♥️
Think of the priest as though he were Jesus. After all that IS who you are confessing to...in persona of the priest. Bkessings❤
Father Mike: Your psychology of theology is pure gold Father M. You rock Father M.
I have never felt more sorry or repentful as I do in confession
I really like what he’s saying however I have been to several nondenominational churches so there was no opportunity to go to confession. I agree that God will forgive those who ask but also actively repent from sin on a daily basis. God knows our hearts and weather we are sincere when asking for forgiveness.
Went after 35+ years. Incredible experience. The sins I confessed, I cannot even force myself to think about - they are GONE! As such, I go every 3-4 weeks. Most of the time I don’t even know what I will confess but sitting in the pew, asking for the Holy Spirit to show me what I must confess, it comes to me. It works every time. Just go and feel the freedom in saying the sin and performing the reconciliation. It works!
God bless you dear father Mike!
Thank you Father Mike!
In my church we all confess openly together just before communion!
Just had my first confession in over 35 years. God has been calling me for a long time to return. I was nervous, scared and embarrassed. Wrote my sins down so I wouldn’t forget anything. Leaving with such peace knowing I am loved and forgiven!! If you haven’t gone in a long time, just go!!!!
An interesting subject and very well explained, thank you Father Mike
Indeed the sacrament of confession is truly a GIFT. When I was in mortal sin, I couldn’t get to confession fast enough. Yes, I asked Jesus in my heart and in the privacy of my own room but when receiving absolution from my priest was, by far, the relief of the heavy burden on my soul. Every priest of the Catholic Church ordained can be linked all the way back to the apostle Peter, buried there in Rome as the first pope.
Jesus used Catholic priests as HIS vessel when hearing our concessions and what comes from the. Mouth of the priest I listen too carefully. They are words coming from Jesus. What a relief to know that Jesus is truly there and cleanses me of my iniquity in the sacrament of reconciliation. Thank you oh, Jesus for all the priests who hear confession. Sure, priests are human and sin as well, but God will use them as his vessel of choice to bring peace to the world in forgiveness. Thank you God for your church. Bless all the priests & clergy. Keep them strong in the Holy Spirit. In the mighty name of Jesus, amen. 🙏 in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.
Wow. The leopards went to the priests; when they were healed; and so that symbolism is the reconciliation office. Thank you.
I think you mean ... lepers! 😂
I am good, but not an angel. I do sin, but I am not the devil. I am just a small boy in a big world trying to find someone to love...
The first Pastor who i see who tells the truth, impressiv 🙏
Father Mike, I feel inspired to share this experience I had today. It has been a rough month/s for me spiritually and God had reconciled me again back to Himself
Reflection and experience:
"In God I trust, I shall not fear." Psalm 56
The LORD has saved me today, He has led me to come back to and He sent His Mother after me and She brought me to Him. She did not relent praying for me. And I think God helped me remember that one article that said "say that 'Our Lady has sent me' before you go to confession." It gave me courage. And She heard my prayers and petitions even though I was afraid to go confession. I didn't even notice that the devil's gaping maw is wrapped around my neck trying o drag me away from being reconciled with God. Only through God's grace I had the courage to go. God gave me, a sinner, the grace of holy tears during the confession. But that was only the icing on the cake of utter hope and reconciliation.
And God reminded me and consoled me in the mass,
"In God I trust, I shall not fear."