Act of contrition + mortification [need quick answer!]

[repo_man]

… can you be forgiven mortal sins by saying an act of contrition and doing mortification of the flesh? i’m about to go to christmas eve mass and i really would like to take communion but i don’t really have a chance to go to confession. i said three act of contritions with my left hand over a flame, burning my palm, not severely enough to scar but enough to make it pretty agonizing (saw it in mean streets ) . is this sufficient or should i just not take communion?

 

[Linda_Marie]

To the best of my knowledge, no. Mortal sins must be confessed to be forgiven. Best make a Spiritual Communion and get to the Confessional ASAP.

 

[StCsDavid]

Okay, first of all confession is not about crime and punishment; so burning your hand is, well, not helpful and might even be a sin in and of itself. Second, acts of extreme mortification as you describe should be done with the guidance of a spiritual director versus a movie. Finally, if you are in that much doubt, play it safe and don’t receive the Eucharist unless you can at least talk to the priest before mass and determine if your sin was indeed mortal.

 

[repo_man]

Okay, first of all confession is not about crime and punishment; so burning your hand is, well, not helpful and might even be a sin in and of itself. Second, acts of extreme mortification as you describe should be done with the guidance of a spiritual director versus a movie. Finally, if you are in that much doubt, play it safe and don’t receive the Eucharist unless you can at least talk to the priest before mass and determine if your sin was indeed mortal.

i appreciate the advice, but saints used to lash themselves, so me hurting my hand (no scarring or anything) is not a sin to my knowledge.

even though this turned out not to be legitimate, the way i was thinking was that because these were very severe sins and i didn’t have the chance to go through proper channels, i should do some severe penance. and as princeton defines penance:

repentance: remorse for your past conduct​

a Catholic sacrament; repentance and confession and satisfaction and absolution​

# voluntary self-punishment in order to atone for some wrongdoing

i ended up taking communion even though now i regret it. but hey what’s sacrelige on top of everything else i’m already going to hell for?

that’s a joke, lol.

 

[Viki59]

Not too funny, brother.
I know how you feel. I too hate missing out on the eucharist, and have probably received when I shouldn’t have (though I wasn’t sure).
Call your priest and make an appointment for confession. Please don’t burn yourself again – this is not a do-it-yourself religion.

 

[epostle]

Christmas is now past, but next time, go up, cross your hands over your chest, and DO NOT RECEIVE. The priest is always happy to give a blessing, no one is watching, or at least sholdn’t be. You get a whole lot of grace just for humble respect for the Eucharist, and you can catch up on any missed grace the next time you receive when you are properly prepared.

 

[thistle]

… can you be forgiven mortal sins by saying an act of contrition and doing mortification of the flesh? i’m about to go to christmas eve mass and i really would like to take communion but i don’t really have a chance to go to confession. i said three act of contritions with my left hand over a flame, burning my palm, not severely enough to scar but enough to make it pretty agonizing (saw it in mean streets ) . is this sufficient or should i just not take communion?

You CANNOT receive Communion while in a state of mortal sin no matter what you do to yourself!!

 

[puzzleannie]

… can you be forgiven mortal sins by saying an act of contrition and doing mortification of the flesh? i’m about to go to christmas eve mass and i really would like to take communion but i don’t really have a chance to go to confession. i said three act of contritions with my left hand over a flame, burning my palm, not severely enough to scar but enough to make it pretty agonizing (saw it in mean streets ) . is this sufficient or should i just not take communion?

you need to see a priest or spiritual director because doing harmful penances is not permitted without permission of your spiritual director or confessor. We do not take our spiritual director from movies or TV, but from the classic spiritual wisdom of the Chruch. Your venial sins are forgiven in the penitential rite of Mass. If you have unconfessed mortal sins, and not receiving would cause scandal (a rare situation, but possible) you may make a good act of contrition and receive, but you are obligated to confess at the earliest opportunity. Doing harm to yourself is not going to alleviate your sins or improve your spiritual health. Stick with the standard pentiential practices and devotions of the Church, and plan your time better so you can confess when you need to.

 

[puzzleannie]

i appreciate the advice, but saints used to lash themselves, so me hurting my hand (no scarring or anything) is not a sin to my knowledge.

.

they did not get to be saints by doing harmful practices w/o permission of their religious superiors, confessors, or spiritual directors. the purpose of penance is to induce contrition for sin, help combat tempation, but also more importantly to cultivate humility and obedience. w/o obedience the penance loses value. It has now been several days since Christmas, and we are into the normal time of confessions in most parishes, so for your peace of mind I hope you avail yourself of this opportunity.