Question:
Answer:
If you feel compelled to confess these absolved sins anew because you experience renewed feelings of guilt, we encourage you not to.
Through the ministry of his priest, God has indeed absolved you of these past sins. However, absolution doesn’t necessarily mean you will automatically be freed from all of the pain and guilt associated with those sins. When that pain and guilt resurfaces again, simply pray to God that you renew your sorrow for these sins, thank him for his forgiveness, and ask his continued help in your moving forward in the right direction.
And persist in thanking God for his absolution when bad memories resurface. Again, the reality of God’s forgiveness of our sins is not necessarily accompanied by an automatic and permanent feeling of peace. But with the help of God, his priests and related sacramental graces, and the help of others, you will in time more deeply experience his peace (see John 14:27).
In that light, and if needed, you may want to consider speaking with a good Catholic counselor to help you with your unresolved feelings of guilt. To find a Catholic good Catholic therapist in your area, or perhaps to speak to one by phone, contact Dr. Gregory Popcak and his team at the Pastoral Solutions Institute, and/or visit CatholicTherapist.com.