Can I receive communion if I forgot to confess a mortal sin?

[Reena]

I’m a new Catholic. My question is if I go to confession but later remember a mortal sin I forgot to confess, can I receive Communion before bringing it up in my next confession, or should I wait until I bring it up?

 

[Fr.Vincent_Serpa]

Dear Reena,

Yes, you may receive Holy Communion without going to Confession again. This is because the sin has been forgiven in a past Confession since you did not deliberately hold it back. But the next time you go to Confession you need to acknowledge the sin as an expression of your sorrow and repentance.

Fr. Vincent Serpa, O.P.