steve123 wrote:

Is it ok, proper, or right for a non-Catholic (hopefully after Easter I will be), to go to confession if I know I have committed mortal sin?  or should I wait until I am received into the Church?

It is my understanding (based on my own RCIA experience) that one makes one's first confession shortly before being received into full communion via first confirmation & first communion.  You'll probably want to talk to your local priest about it, though.

Prajna wrote:

I remember before I became Catholic I went on a Catholic youth retreat.  And one of the things was that everyone who went did a short confession.  Well I wasn't Catholic at the time and I was still encouraged to go.  So I went and told the Priest that I wasn't Catholic and he understood and let me talk to him about my issues. 

The only thing is that he cannot give you absolution from your sins.  And if you go to confession now, before the Rite of Penance, you will need to restate those sins, once you do your first Confession.

Thanks.
Pranja,

What is the Rite of Penance?  To me, a couple of months shouldn't make a difference whether you are officially absolved from your sins (if you make confession now or then....)..  But alas, if it needs to be official, then I will wait and not pursue it at this time.

steve123 wrote:

Thanks.
Pranja,

What is the Rite of Penance?  To me, a couple of months shouldn't make a difference whether you are officially absolved from your sins (if you make confession now or then....)..  But alas, if it needs to be official, then I will wait and not pursue it at this time.

Actually, my wife had a different experience. She was drawn to the church BECAUSE of confession (which baffles so many) and went to confession with absolution regularly throughout the RCIA process. The priest explained that because she was a baptized Christian and we accept one Christian baptism, that she was in no different place than a child who has been baptized, and made their first penance, but not received communion or confirmation yet.

I think you should go.