Act of Contrition?

[levavi]

dear all

I am in a situation I’ve not really been in yet.

I have to work between now and Saturday evening, which is also when I want to go to Mass. This means I can’t get to Confession which I do try to get to regularly. I am aware of a couple of instances of mortal sin since my last confession but nonetheless want to receive, while finding it impossible to get to confession.

Am I all right to make an Act of Contrition and go to Confession afterwards?

 

[SuscipeMeDomine]

dear all

I am in a situation I’ve not really been in yet.

I have to work between now and Saturday evening, which is also when I want to go to Mass. This means I can’t get to Confession which I do try to get to regularly. I am aware of a couple of instances of mortal sin since my last confession but nonetheless want to receive, while finding it impossible to get to confession.

Am I all right to make an Act of Contrition and go to Confession afterwards?

No.

It’s laudable to make an Act of Contrition when you’ve sinned. But if you know you’ve committed a mortal sin you should not receive communion until you have gone to confession. If you can’t go at the regularly scheduled time, you can make an appointment for a more convenient time.

From the Catechism:

1457
According to the Church’s command, "after having attained the age of discretion, each of the faithful is bound by an obligation faithfully to confess serious sins at least once a year."56 Anyone who is aware of having committed a mortal sin must not receive Holy Communion, even if he experiences deep contrition, without having first received sacramental absolution, unless he has a grave reason for receiving Communion and there is no possibility of going to confession.57 Children must go to the sacrament of Penance before receiving Holy Communion for the first time.58

I don’t think that mere attendance at Mass constitutes a grave reason.

 

[Cristiano]

dear all

I am in a situation I’ve not really been in yet.

I have to work between now and Saturday evening, which is also when I want to go to Mass. This means I can’t get to Confession which I do try to get to regularly. I am aware of a couple of instances of mortal sin since my last confession but nonetheless want to receive, while finding it impossible to get to confession.

Am I all right to make an Act of Contrition and go to Confession afterwards?

I would be more concerned of being in a state of mortal sin rather than not being able to receive communion. The act of contrition by itself does not put you in a state of grace. Pure contrition is a different topic.

 

[thistle]

dear all

I am in a situation I’ve not really been in yet.

I have to work between now and Saturday evening, which is also when I want to go to Mass. This means I can’t get to Confession which I do try to get to regularly. I am aware of a couple of instances of mortal sin since my last confession but nonetheless want to receive, while finding it impossible to get to confession.

Am I all right to make an Act of Contrition and go to Confession afterwards?

You are not required to receive when you attend Mass.
However, you are required to confess any mortal sins BEFORE you can receive.
As another poster has said, an act of contrition is laudible but you still have to go to Confession before receiving.

 

[Claire_from_DE]

Call your parish and ask if you can make an appointment for confession at a time other the regular time. Usually this isn’t a problem. If the priest can’t meet with you until after the Saturday evening mass, don’t go to communion at that mass.

 

[Kolbelover]

but DO go to Mass…

when I am in this situation, I find that going and being unable to receive Jesus makes my heart hunger for Him even more… this is usually enough motivation for me to get to Confession!

peace