Breaking Oath=sin?

[coolcatholicguy]

A few weeks ago our band teacher had us raise our right hand and take an oath to practice and speaking piece over the weekend. I took the oath, and then forgot to practice to piece, when I talked to my band teacher on Monday the next week, she didn’t even seem to remember the oath at first, and said it was no big deal. Did I still sin here?

 

[Joe_5859]

A few weeks ago our band teacher had us raise our right hand and take an oath to practice and speaking piece over the weekend. I took the oath, and then forgot to practice to piece, when I talked to my band teacher on Monday the next week, she didn’t even seem to remember the oath at first, and said it was no big deal. Did I still sin here?

Intentionally breaking an oath is a serious sin. However, I’m pretty sure that what you did was not actually taking an oath, and it seems that, in any case, you did not break it intentionally but simply out of forgetfulness.

Judging by your band teacher’s reaction, it seems that he was just trying to use a silly mock-oath ceremony to get the students to remember to practice (and to realize its importance). I doubt he meant it to be an actual oath. IMO, the teacher shouldn’t treat oath-swearing so casually, but I’m sure he meant well and did not intend for you to be bound by pain of sin.

In any case, even if you did take an oath, you simply forgot. Perhaps you might be guilty of not taking your responsibilities seriously enough, but I’m in no position to make that determination. If it bothers you, talk to a priest about it.