For many new or preparing Catholics, one question often causes anxiety: What will my first confession be like?

On The Inner Life, a caller named Lynn from Albuquerque shared her thoughts. At 56 years old, she has decided to become Catholic, not because of marriage or obligation, but because she feels deeply called by God. As she prepares to enter OCIA, the idea of confession feels overwhelming.

“I’m imagining my first confession,” she admitted. “How could I possibly remember everything? How would I even know numbers?”

Guest Fr. Rob Kroll responding quickly put her at ease. Even lifelong Catholics, he explained, sometimes make what’s called a general confession, a prayerful inventory of the sins from one's entire life, often before major milestones like religious vows or ordination. Perfect recall isn't expected.

“It would be unrealistic,” he said, “to expect you to remember every single sin.”

Instead, the Fr. Kroll encouraged Lynn to reflect on her life in stages, childhood, young adulthood, adulthood, and to use a detailed examination of conscience, often based on the Ten Commandments. The focus is on patterns, especially patterns of serious sin, not an exhaustive list.

Confession, he emphasized, is not meant to trap someone in scrupulosity. It’s an act of trust, honestly placing one’s life before Christ and asking for mercy.

To underscore the heart of the sacrament, Fr. Kroll contrasted St. Peter and Judas. Both betrayed Jesus. One repented and trusted in mercy; the other despaired.

“We never want to be like Judas,” he said. “We always want to be like St. Peter.”

God does not want us discouraged or afraid. He desires to forgive, heal, and restore.

Lynn left the call encouraged and grateful. She was excited, not fearful, about coming home to the Church. Her story is a reminder to anyone considering Catholicism: your past does not disqualify you. God’s mercy is already waiting.

The best way to listen to the Best of the Week is on our #1 Free Catholic App. It’s free, and always will be! To get and share the Relevant Radio app, check it out here.

For many new or preparing Catholics, one question often causes anxiety: What will my first confession be like?
On The Inner Life, a caller named Lynn from Albuquerque shared her thoughts. At 56 years old, she has decided to become Catholic, not because of marriage or obligation, but because she feels deeply called by God. As she prepares to enter OCIA, the idea of confession feels overwhelming.
&ldquo;I&rsquo;m imagining my first confession,&rdquo; she admitted. &ldquo;How could I possibly remember everything? How would I even know numbers?&rdquo;
Guest Fr. Rob Kroll responding quickly put her at ease. Even lifelong Catholics, he explained, sometimes make what&rsquo;s called a general confession, a prayerful inventory of the sins from one's entire life, often before major milestones like religious vows or ordination. Perfect recall isn't expected.
&ldquo;It would be unrealistic,&rdquo; he said, &ldquo;to expect you to remember every single sin.&rdquo;
Instead, the Fr. Kroll encouraged Lynn to reflect on her life in stages, childhood, young adulthood, adulthood, and to use a detailed examination of conscience, often based on the Ten Commandments. The focus is on patterns, especially patterns of serious sin, not an exhaustive list.
Confession, he emphasized, is not meant to trap someone in scrupulosity. It&rsquo;s an act of trust, honestly placing one&rsquo;s life before Christ and asking for mercy.
To underscore the heart of the sacrament, Fr. Kroll contrasted St. Peter and Judas. Both betrayed Jesus. One repented and trusted in mercy; the other despaired.
&ldquo;We never want to be like Judas,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;We always want to be like St. Peter.&rdquo;
God does not want us discouraged or afraid. He desires to forgive, heal, and restore.
Lynn left the call encouraged and grateful. She was excited, not fearful, about coming home to the Church. Her story is a reminder to anyone considering Catholicism: your past does not disqualify you. God&rsquo;s mercy is already waiting.
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The best way to listen to the&nbsp;Best of the Week&nbsp;is on our #1 Free Catholic App. It&rsquo;s free, and always will be! To get and share the Relevant Radio app, check it out&nbsp;<a href="https://relevantradio.com/listen/get-the-app/">here</a>.

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Life can get busy, and it's easy to miss out on the captivating moments from your favorite Relevant Radio shows. But now, we've got you covered! "The Best of the Week - Relevant Radio Podcast" brings you the crème de la crème of Relevant Radio's programming. We carefully curate and compile the most engaging and relevant content from the past week, just for you! Get ready to catch up on faith, culture, current events, and personal growth, all in one convenient and easily accessible podcast. It's like having a front-row seat to the most compelling moments from Relevant Radio's diverse range of shows. So, whether you're an active Relevant Radio listener or new to our programming, "The Best of the Week - Relevant Radio Podcast" is your passport to a world of knowledge, growth, and inspiration.