Can I Receive Communion?

[DanaReale]

It has been quite a while since my husband and I have gone to Sunday mass, and I have been on A.B.C.

I just found out a couple of days ago that it is a mortal sin to purposely not attend mass when you otherwise could have. If we would have known it was, we would not have been so careless.

When we converted, we were advised by our priest to continue using A.B.C. due to a recent open heart surgery and to not put strain on our marriage by lack of intimacy and such a large change to our normal intimate life. Now this is likely a topic that could have a thread all its own, but I do not wish to continue taking A.B.C. but I am not sure that my husband would want to be intimate with me for fear of us getting pregnant. I have been looking into NFP and am praying that my husband will accept it in the near future.

Considering all of that, would it still be acceptable for one or both of us to receive communion? Or would we need to attend confession first?

 

[JRKH]

First of all welcome Home to the Catholic Church. It appears taht you have not gotten the best catechesis if you did not even know about the Sunday obligation.

If you truly did not know that Sunday mass was required than you are not in a state of Mortal sin and this would not prevent you from receiving general absolution at mass and receiving communion.
As to the ABC issues, here again you were acting, at least intially, on the advise of your parish priest and, whether the advice was sound or not, it basially prevents you from being in a state of mortal sin.

The thing to do now is to get to confession as soon as you are able and discuss these matters with your confessor.

I’d suggest though that you start a new thread asking about NFP resources, experiences etc in the family life forum. I’m sure you’ll get a lot of help.

Peace
James