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Learner1969
Guest
With any addiction, can we accept the Body of Christ during Mass?
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P
PaulfromIowa
Guest
A question for your confessor. Addiction is not necessarily a mortal sin. Read about the three conditions for mortal sin.
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Cor_ad_Cor
Guest
Only your priest can answer that for you; these are often “case-by-case” situations.
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gentlemanvalentine
Guest
Please talk to your priest about this. God bless.
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QwertyGirl
Guest
I believe everyone is addicted to something. It just depends on if it is a healthy addiction or an unhealthy one. Definitely discuss this with someone who can guide you spiritually.
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CursedFigTree
Guest
My friend, you are sick and need help from the Divine Physician. Confess your sins and go receive Holy Eucharist. Our Lord meets us in our poverty.
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Learner1969
Guest
If it was only that easy 
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CursedFigTree
Guest
It’s not easy, and I’m not in your shoes. I do understand addiction and you have a suffering to offer. When you carry your cross to the best of your ability it is very pleasing to God.
T
TULIPed
Guest
And when Jesus heard it, he said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.”
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mrsdizzyd
Guest
The OP is not free to use his time as he pleases. He is presently incarcerated or institutionalized. I think that is what he refers to when he says “If it was only that easy”.
Then, of course, there is addiction itself which is never easy to overcome in an instant. It takes lots of hard work, sacrifice, and a well-established support system for the vast majority of those who struggle with it.
Then, of course, there is addiction itself which is never easy to overcome in an instant. It takes lots of hard work, sacrifice, and a well-established support system for the vast majority of those who struggle with it.
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CursedFigTree
Guest
I didn’t read his profile before my reply. I did send hm a private message apologizing for such.
I would also suggest vigorously praying for a clean heart and clean mind.
Peace
I would also suggest vigorously praying for a clean heart and clean mind.
Peace
M
Mintaka
Guest
Let’s rephrase things. “If I’m an alcoholic, can I receive Communion?”
Well, obviously alcoholics are not barred from receiving Communion. Alcoholics who are no longer drinking would have no problem at all.
OTOH, if Bob has gotten blackout drunk every night this week, and he didn’t go to Confession about it on Saturday afternoon because he was still drinking – well, probably he shouldn’t receive Communion until he gets to Confession.
And obviously, if he’s drunk out of his skull on Sunday morning, he could still go to church (although he’d better get a ride if he goes, and it might be better for him to stay home and rest and dry out), but he probably shouldn’t try to receive Communion. He should wait until he’s back to himself, and properly disposed to receive. And he definitely shouldn’t receive under the form of wine, because that would just be asking for trouble, and wouldn’t be fair to Jesus.
But he should definitely try to go to Confession as soon as possible, and he should definitely get help to stop drinking!
OTOH, if he were on the point of death, Father wouldn’t hesitate to give him Communion viaticum. He might be careful to avoid the Host being thrown up, but it wouldn’t bar the man from receiving.
You could also get a situation where someone literally has no control over the situation, like if Bob had been dry for twenty years, and then was kidnapped by people who forced alcohol down his throat. Obviously in that case he would have an addiction and temptation problem as long as he was being forced to have alcohol. But it wouldn’t actually be his sin; it would be his kidnappers who were sinning.
If a person is fighting against an addiction, and trying to amend his life but often failing, that doesn’t mean that he should stop fighting, and act as if nothing were wrong. If it’s difficult to go to Confession before Mass so that you can receive Communion, that’s something to talk to Father about (or send him a letter, or whatever procedure you follow to get a message across).
There may even be situations where what would normally be “grave matter” would only count as a venial sin. Usually this is in situations where someone doesn’t have full volition, or when they were caught by surprise by a temptation and didn’t think about it. (And obviously, this is something a priest would be able to talk to you about.)
If worst comes to worst and you can’t get to Confession, you can just stay in your seat and make a “spiritual Communion” in your heart, because you can’t receive physically at that time. That’s what the saints have done, and that’s what you can do. You can even make a spiritual Communion when you can’t make it to Mass, or on days when Mass isn’t offered where you are.
Well, obviously alcoholics are not barred from receiving Communion. Alcoholics who are no longer drinking would have no problem at all.
OTOH, if Bob has gotten blackout drunk every night this week, and he didn’t go to Confession about it on Saturday afternoon because he was still drinking – well, probably he shouldn’t receive Communion until he gets to Confession.
And obviously, if he’s drunk out of his skull on Sunday morning, he could still go to church (although he’d better get a ride if he goes, and it might be better for him to stay home and rest and dry out), but he probably shouldn’t try to receive Communion. He should wait until he’s back to himself, and properly disposed to receive. And he definitely shouldn’t receive under the form of wine, because that would just be asking for trouble, and wouldn’t be fair to Jesus.
But he should definitely try to go to Confession as soon as possible, and he should definitely get help to stop drinking!
OTOH, if he were on the point of death, Father wouldn’t hesitate to give him Communion viaticum. He might be careful to avoid the Host being thrown up, but it wouldn’t bar the man from receiving.
You could also get a situation where someone literally has no control over the situation, like if Bob had been dry for twenty years, and then was kidnapped by people who forced alcohol down his throat. Obviously in that case he would have an addiction and temptation problem as long as he was being forced to have alcohol. But it wouldn’t actually be his sin; it would be his kidnappers who were sinning.
If a person is fighting against an addiction, and trying to amend his life but often failing, that doesn’t mean that he should stop fighting, and act as if nothing were wrong. If it’s difficult to go to Confession before Mass so that you can receive Communion, that’s something to talk to Father about (or send him a letter, or whatever procedure you follow to get a message across).
There may even be situations where what would normally be “grave matter” would only count as a venial sin. Usually this is in situations where someone doesn’t have full volition, or when they were caught by surprise by a temptation and didn’t think about it. (And obviously, this is something a priest would be able to talk to you about.)
If worst comes to worst and you can’t get to Confession, you can just stay in your seat and make a “spiritual Communion” in your heart, because you can’t receive physically at that time. That’s what the saints have done, and that’s what you can do. You can even make a spiritual Communion when you can’t make it to Mass, or on days when Mass isn’t offered where you are.
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