Can we be in a state of mortal sin without knowing it?

[sdegutis]

In my new Daily Roman Missal, I read a post-communion prayer by St. Thomas Aquinas and in it he prayed that he not be damned by this communion, alluding to the fact that if we take Holy Communion in a state of mortal sin we further damn ourselves. But he wouldn’t have prayed this if he knew he was not in a state of mortal sin when receiving Holy Communion, and he wouldn’t have received it if he knew he was. So is it possible we can be in a state of mortal sin without knowing it?

 

[Bookcat]

Is it possible to be in state of mortal sin without knowing it?

Yes it is possible

But one ought also not scruple here either though.

Indeed – one reason to examine ones conscience.

*CCC:

1385 To respond to this invitation we must prepare ourselves for so great and so holy a moment. St. Paul urges us to examine our conscience: “Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of profaning the body and blood of the Lord. Let a man examine himself, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For any one who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment upon himself.” Anyone conscious of a grave sin must receive the sacrament of Reconciliation before coming to communion.* scborromeo.org/ccc/p2s2c1a3.htm#VI

(and one seeking to follow Christ and live a devout Christian life --leading a life of prayer etc – is often going to experience mortal sins as sticking out like a sore thumb. And as always one needs the three aspects to commit a mortal sin – grave matter, full knowledge and deliberate consent)

Also in terms of the prayer – I think it can be offered that much can be said piously in a “prayer genre -language” that is to be understood within the particular context.

(see also vatican.va/archive/compendium_ccc/documents/archive_2005_compendium-ccc_en.html articles 291, 395 and 396)

 

[Pug]

It seems possible for a person to be able to forget something they did six months or a year ago, especially if they have no habit of reviewing their actions on occasion.

Remember, if you go to confession sincerely, your forgotten sins are remitted as well as those you were able to recall. Do not let this issue alarm you in any way. If you deem action must be taken I suggest: If you don’t go to confession often enough, then you should make plans to go soon and more often. If you don’t examine your conscience, then you should take steps to develop the habit.

 

[bilop]

It seems possible for a person to be able to forget something they did six months or a year ago, especially if they have no habit of reviewing their actions on occasion.

Remember, if you go to confession sincerely, your forgotten sins are remitted as well as those you were able to recall. Do not let this issue alarm you in any way. If you deem action must be taken I suggest: If you don’t go to confession often enough, then you should make plans to go soon and more often. If you don’t examine your conscience, then you should take steps to develop the habit.

I always end my confession with, “and for any sins I have forgotten” for just this reason.

God Bless

 

[Pug]

I always end my confession with, “and for any sins I have forgotten” for just this reason.

God Bless

Yes, good point, those words remind us the forgotten sins are remitted too. I often include those words myself. We don’t have to, but we can.

 

[Bookcat]

Forgotten mortal sins…can yes be indirectly absolved when one was intending to confess all ones mortal sins and was contrite etc --but it is important to note that we are obliged to confess them in the next confession: jimmyakin.com/2006/09/a_reader_writes_1.html (if they are un-forgotten).

(I will note too that at times in the case of scrupulosity --they can be in a different boat – wanting to confess all sorts of unneeded things – they need a regular confessor to guide them).

 

[Neofight]

I am really worried about the original poster…there is a common thread in his/her posts that points to scrupulosity. The disorder, if un-checked, could lead to dispair which would be a real sin rather than the fear of possible sins now filling the poster’s mind.

I am praying you find help and comfort in the Lord, and come to view God as loving, compassionate, merciful, and grace giving instead of a watchdog waiting for you to step ot of line.

God wants you to be happy, not in such a constant state of fear! Relax and enjoy His grace!

 

[nickybr38]

Part of the prerequisite’s for something to be a mortal sin is knowledge of the sin being grave and then committing it anyway.

I tend to believe it is VERY difficult to not know you’ve committed a mortal sin just because you must know that’s what you’re doing.

Even before I understood the distinction between mortal and venial… when I committed grave sins I NEVER forgot. They rested on my heart for 20+ years.

That’s just my opinion though. Perhaps it is possible to forget you’ve committed a mortal sin… it just seems a bit of a stretch to me.

 

[bilop]

Part of the prerequisite’s for something to be a mortal sin is knowledge of the sin being grave and then committing it anyway.

I tend to believe it is VERY difficult to not know you’ve committed a mortal sin just because you must know that’s what you’re doing.

Even before I understood the distinction between mortal and venial… when I committed grave sins I NEVER forgot. They rested on my heart for 20+ years.

That’s just my opinion though. Perhaps it is possible to forget you’ve committed a mortal sin… it just seems a bit of a stretch to me.

I think it’s very possible for someone who leads a sinful life for many, many years and then repents/converts later on. Especially, if they were not well versed in Catholic teachings.

For example, they easily could remember committing the broad brush sexual sins (fornication, adultery) but forget other more specific sins.

God Bless

 

[Verden_Leafglow]

One Eastern prayer goes: O God, absolve and remit our voluntary and involuntary sins, in word and deed, known and unknown, by day and by night, in mind and thought forgive us all, O Lord, in Your goodness and love for mankind.

I think it sums it up pretty well.