Act of contrition and delaying confession?

[YehoiakhinEx232]

1452 When it arises from a love by which God is loved above all else, contrition is called “perfect” (contrition of charity). Such contrition remits venial sins; it also obtains forgiveness of mortal sins if it includes the firm resolution to have recourse to sacramental confession as soon as possible.51
(emphasis added)

I have sinned mortally several times, I want to call up my town’s priest and see if I can get him to hear my confession tomorrow. My parents – My mom is not Catholic, my dad considers himself Catholic, but never goes to Mass, and has never received any Sacrament since my childhood. – say that I can wait until Saturday in order to receive confession at a scheduled time. (We’ll be going to be driving to another town on Saturday where confession is being offered there, my hometown parish never has scheduled confession, they’re only available on Saturdays, and only if you request them. Apart from emergencies, I never go to confession at my hometown parish, I always do it in a neighboring town.) If I don’t go to confession as soon as possible, but wait until scheduled time for confession, does that make my Act of Contrition (If I’ve said it perfectly) invalid, and thus render me still in a state of mortal sin?

 

[BoyGenius]

You know, as someone who frequently goes to Confession. And I mean frequently, weekly. Here’s what I kind of gathered through the experience:

First and foremost, as Jesus has said, Saint John the Baptist, all the Apostle’s, Church Father’s, Our Holy Father, all his predecessor’s before him, the Guardian Angel of Portugal, and all the Saints have said/done, “Repent.”

Even in modern psychology, if you are doing something that is wrong, just stop. Sure, we fall. It happens. But you immediately do your best to change. it’s a long, difficult, hard process and road to follow. But, “You can do it!”

So as the Prodigal Son did the imperfect Act of Contrition (when he lived among the pigs, and wanted to eat pig food. He was afraid of dying.) So he remembered his father’s home. Knowing the first thing he needed to do. Leave the place of sin, where he fell into, and his friends left him. And, in repenting of the place and what he did, made his way back to his father’s home. He even was going to work for a change, rather than just trying to ask for more inheritance which he spent. So he made his trek back home, to change his ways, working on his father’s land. Like one of the laborers. That’s penance. Do you think his son fell on his way? Of course. Jesus is not telling the story how many times his son fell. The fact he didn’t waiver reaching/getting to his father’s home. But it did require his son to repent. When he says to his father that he doesn’t deserve to be called his son. His father stretched out his arms. And the son began to feel, from his father’s love and goodness, the true and perfect sense of being heartily sorry for his sins. Perfect act of contrition.

Right now, just by repenting, you are doing your immediate start/act of imperfect contrition, by repenting from your sins. And doing your best to stay out of them while making your way to Confession. But it’s not magic. It will take time. Must be patient with yourself, but not giving up. Stay on course.

I have had good guidance and counsel from priests during Confession. It’s best spiritual insights I’ve had for years too.

 

[jmj777]

It sounds as if you are at the mercy of your parents to take you to Confession. If so, God sees that your intent is to confess asap, but are unable to, so don’t despair.

Use this waiting time filled with anxiety as your motivator to stay away from mortal sin in the future. Keep it always in your mind as a reminder.

Peace.

+JMJ+

 

[YehoiakhinEx232]

What I’m asking is, if one falls into a state of mortal sin, and says an act of contrition, and regular confession isn’t being offered at his/her hometown parish that day, should one wait until the scheduled confession is being offered, or should one contact the priest and try to get him to hear his/her confession as soon as he can?

 

[Spyridon]

one wait until the scheduled confession is being offered, or should one contact the priest and try to get him to hear his/her confession as soon as he can?

Ideally, confession immediately.

Realistically, confess when you are able to confess.

God understands and knows our circumstances of life - God, and His Church, do not expect us to do the impossible.

 

[DignumEtJustum]

Yes your father is right. Saying an act of Contrition while being fully contrite will suffice for Sanctifying Grace if one was to die before making it to their next available confession. Perhaps some cloistered mystic somewhere would even grant absolution in absentia if it were necessary, though of course it is certainly best to make the actual confession as soon as possible.

 

[BoyGenius]

Trying to get to Confession as soon as one can would be the best. And if not that, then getting to regular Confession. Always the best approach is the sense of urgency to go immediately.