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Ben Haag wrote:

Hi, guys —

I’m currently a senior in college and I have been thinking about death and Judgment Day a lot lately to the point that it’s hard for me to focus on everyday life.

I was raised Christian but was never baptized or made any formal declaration of faith.

Right now, I am very scared that I could go to Hell for all eternity, but the only reason that I want to change my ways and stop sinning is so that I do not go to Hell. I know that that is called imperfect contrition.

  • Is that enough for Baptism?
  • I'm praying to receive perfect contrition, but I want to know if I can formally enter the Church with just imperfect contrition?

I also have a follow-up question:

  • Is there a way to receive perfect contrition?

Thanks for reading!

Ben Haag
  { If someone only has imperfect contrition for their sins, is that good enough to receive Baptism? }

Eric replied:

Ben,

Yes, if you believe, there is nothing stopping you from being baptized with imperfect contrition.

Call your local parish and ask to be enrolled in (OCIA|OCIA). You likely won't be baptized until Easter, or even Easter 2027, but remember that the desire for Baptism during your preparation for Baptism is enough to save you should you die.

Eric

Eric followed up later:

Ben,

I neglected to answer your second question.

There is no simple way to attain perfect contrition.

My suggestion is, because perfect contrition is based on love for God, that you regularly pray to love God more and more, and he'll work on you so that you're able to regret sinning out of love for him and not simply out of fear.

It's worth keeping in mind that perfect contrition is not the perfect degree of contrition, but the perfect kind of contrition, namely, out of love for God. And, you can have mixed motives to repent, both out of love for God, and out of fear of punishment but, if you think you have perfect contrition, by no means delay Baptism.

Eric
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