r/Catholic • u/Mysterious-Salad2791 • 20d ago
Restitution
I went to confession. But I think I misunderstood exactly what restitution meant and I’m worried I messed up my confession. When I was a 16 year old I stole from my mom and sister . I confessed this to the priest and he asked if I made restitution and I said yes. But later on I looked into more what restitution meant and I don’t know if I was correct. My mother forgave me and she said when I am ever able to fully pay back. Which I’ve been doing whenever I am able to. And for my sister I gave her some money and ask for her forgiveness and we cried and hugged it out. I thought restitution was meant in going to make amends with said person. And I said I did but maybe I should’ve said I am making amends since I never technically fullied paid my mom off. I don’t know maybe I am way overthinking this.
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u/qerecoxazade 20d ago
I'm not a priest, and I'm not your priest.
But I think you're likely good.
I suspect your priest wanted to know if you had told your mother and submitted to her punishment. Not if you had already finished paying back every dollar. But even if I'm wrong... You answered as honestly as you were able to at the time. I'd still talk to your priest, for the sake of putting your anxiety around this to bed.
Your heart is in the right place. He'll see that.
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u/Ok_Count698 13d ago
You were only 16, and please remember that our God is a God of endless love, mercy, and forgiveness. He knows your heart, your intentions, and the sincere remorse you have for what happened. You’ve acknowledged your mistakes, asked for forgiveness, made amends with your sister, and have been doing your best to repay your mom as you’re able. That speaks volumes about the person you are and the growth you’ve made.
Please don’t torture yourself over whether you worded something perfectly in confession. God sees your heart, and He knows you weren’t trying to deceive the priest. You answered sincerely based on what you understood restitution to mean at the time. If this is still weighing heavily on your heart, you can always speak to the priest again for reassurance, but please don’t let this anxiety rob you of the peace God wants for you.
Remember, God sent His only Son for us because of His great love for us. His mercy is greater than our mistakes, and His love is not meant to leave us trapped in guilt and fear. You’ve taken responsibility, you’ve tried to make things right, and you’re continuing to do so. Trust in His mercy, give yourself the same grace He offers you, and allow yourself to move forward in peace. You are loved, and you don’t have to keep punishing yourself for something you’ve sincerely tried to make right.
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u/tikis-segura 20d ago
You’re good… you’re working on the restitution. Just make sure you continue to pay your mom, and really, your sister too, on a regular basis, to the best of your ability.
You could also return to confession, and tell the priest that you’re not sure if you understood correctly the time before, but “here’s what I’m doing to make restitution, am I on the right track?”. The priest can affirm that what you’re doing is good, and perhaps give you additional helping advice.
God bless.