Cannot go to confession

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texascatholic12

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I have committed a mortal sin, but was unable to get to confession today. I called the diocese and no churches have confession tomorrow because it is a holy day. I really want to receive the Eucharist at midnight mass and Christmas mass, and I am terribly sorry for my sin, but can’t because I am not in a state of grace. Is there anything I can do, or is it too late for me to receive?
 
I don’t believe that you don’t have to go to an orginized confession at a parish. I’m pretty sure that any priest can hear your confession if he is not otherwise occupied. Just find yourself a priest and ask him if he will be willing to hear your confession. 🙂
 
texascatholic12 said:
I have committed a mortal sin, but was unable to get to confession today. I called the diocese and no churches have confession tomorrow because it is a holy day. I really want to receive the Eucharist at midnight mass and Christmas mass, and I am terribly sorry for my sin, but can’t because I am not in a state of grace. Is there anything I can do, or is it too late for me to receive?
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Well, I’m not Catholic (yet) and I don’t know all of the little details that others do. If I were in your position, I’d track down the priest at my parish and as him what I should do. Maybe he’d be able to schedule a confession before midnight mass.

Good luck and God bless

dje101
 
I just feel terrible bothering a priest before Christmas mass. I know they must be busy! I suppose I should have thought about that before I sinned. I will see what I can do, thanks 🙂
 
texascatholic12 said:
I just feel terrible bothering a priest before Christmas mass. I know they must be busy! I suppose I should have thought about that before I sinned. I will see what I can do, thanks 🙂
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Well, make sure you arrive at church nice and early, so that the priest has at least some time to prepare for Mass. He may also ask you to see him after Mass instead, if he’s really busy.
 
Yes, we should all think about it before we sin! :o

But now, best bet is to call your parish. Your priest will probably make time to hear your confession, or will know a priest who can.

When you do go, be prepared. Don’t hem and haw or use this time to ask for lots of advice. Confess you sin, get absolved and do your penance. For your new year’s resolution, make a point of getting to confession at least once a month.
 
“call your parish” is probably not the best advice at this late hour. Not many parishes are open on Friday evening or Saturday morning.

See if you can find a Saturday morning Mass in the area. This is a regular weekday Mass, the last day of Advent, in fact. I think you could probably get a confession heard after the Mass.

Another option might be to find an early afternoon Vigil Mass. Approach the priest (or the sacristan) before the Mass and ask if the priest might hear your confession after Mass. Depending on how many Masses he’s got on his schedule, this might work.

Don’t worry about “bothering” the priest before Mass. That is, as long as you approach him 15-20 minutes prior to the Mass. Don’t try to grab him a minute or two prior.

“be prepared” is very good advice. Know what you are going to say and make it brief and to the point.
 
Most parishes have a special number to call when the office is closed to allow folks to reach the priest directly. IF you can catch him a good time before Mass, that would be good.
 
You say you’re from TX - if you’re in the DFW area, Mater Dei Latin Mass parish will have confessions before the and after the 8a mass, and probably starting about 10p or slightly after for the 12a Midnight Mass, and the confessions will go throughout the mass, I’m sure. If you’re in Houston, I know they have an FSSP priest there, and I feel sure that if you call them that the priest will hear your confession (and will probably be offering confession tomorrow and before the Christmas mass/es).
 
I know that since tomorrow is Saturday and Christmas Eve especially, most parish offices will be closed until Tuesday for the holiday. The best thing to do would be to arrive at Mass pretty early so that you can catch the priest when he’s least busiest. Also, make sure to ask in the nicest manner possible since this is during his preparation time. Make sure the confession is short, sweet, and to the point so that you use as little of his time as possible.

In the worst case scenerio, you will need to refrain from receiving Holy Communion. Remember, it’s better to not receive instead of comitting another mortal sin by receiving Our Lord in a state of mortal sin.

They should probably make an effort to add-in last minute confession times on Christmas Eve so that people can welcome the Lord with a pure heart.
 
texascatholic12 said:
I have committed a mortal sin, but was unable to get to confession today. I called the diocese and no churches have confession tomorrow because it is a holy day. I really want to receive the Eucharist at midnight mass and Christmas mass, and I am terribly sorry for my sin, but can’t because I am not in a state of grace. Is there anything I can do, or is it too late for me to receive?
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You must NOT receive Communion while in a state of mortal sin.
You may make an act of perfect contrition which would forgive your sins if you die before getting to Confession but that does not permit you to receive Communion (unless there were grave circumstances and that does not apply to your situation).
You must go to Confession before you may receive.
 
texascatholic12 said:
I just feel terrible bothering a priest before Christmas mass. I know they must be busy! I suppose I should have thought about that before I sinned. I will see what I can do, thanks 🙂
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Everyone thinks priests are so busy on Christmas Eve. You know who is busy? The people who are decorating the church, the music director, the maintenance crew, the liturgy coordinators, the receptionist answering all those calls from people asking about Mass times. Most of the priests, at least in every parish I have worked at are taking it pretty easy. Yes, in our diocese we do have confessions on Christmas Eve morning but after they are done the priests are free until the first Mass at 4PM. So give the parish a call and ask for the priest on duty. He is probably just putting his finishing touches on his homily and could spare a few moments for confession.
 
Mrs_Sally said:
Most parishes have a special number to call when the office is closed to allow folks to reach the priest directly. IF you can catch him a good time before Mass, that would be good.
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And in most parishes, that number is for emergencies, such as anointing of the sick near death.

I truly cannot imagine bothering the priest on the emergency/after hours line for a confession.

No, you cannot receive communion without confessing your mortal sin. But being unable to receive communion is hardly an emergency.

A sinner who genuinely regrets his mortal sin, repents, makes an act of contrition, and wants and plans to go to the next humanly available confession is likely in good shape should he face particular judgement due to the proverbial “semi truck kills you crossing the street” scenario.
 
GwenL said:
And in most parishes, that number is for emergencies, such as anointing of the sick near death.

I truly cannot imagine bothering the priest on the emergency/after hours line for a confession.

No, you cannot receive communion without confessing your mortal sin. But being unable to receive communion is hardly an emergency.

A sinner who genuinely regrets his mortal sin, repents, makes an act of contrition, and wants and plans to go to the next humanly available confession is likely in good shape should he face particular judgement due to the proverbial “semi truck kills you crossing the street” scenario.
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Right.

That emergency line is for someone whose wife was just killed in a car crash or situations like that, especially if it’s late at night.

Just call tomorrow and see if you can arrange an appointment or else arrive early and see if the priest is there and willing to hear a quick confession. If not, then you’ll just have to refrain from communion and confess at your next opportunity, preferably this week obviously.
 
Check MassTimes.org for help finding churches in your area offering confession. Give them a call to double-check before heading over.
 
Ask any Priest. Call…drop by rectory…etc…go to daily Mass …ask after to hear your confession (of course do not go to Communion)

Do not give up. Confession can be heard anytime. It is just that they are not scheduled in your area tomorrow.
 
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."216 Anyone conscious of a grave sin must receive the sacrament of Reconciliation before coming to communion.
 
texascatholic12 said:
I have committed a mortal sin, but was unable to get to confession today. I called the diocese and no churches have confession tomorrow because it is a holy day. I really want to receive the Eucharist at midnight mass and Christmas mass, and I am terribly sorry for my sin, but can’t because I am not in a state of grace. Is there anything I can do, or is it too late for me to receive?
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Or… offer it up and forego the Eucharist, working harder to not commit that sin again.

I know what it’s like to not find confession during Christmas week. I had to skip Communion at my favorite Mass of the year. Sort of makes you not want to sin again.

I hope you can have the grace to sin no more.
 
Mrs_Sally said:
Yes, we should all think about it before we sin! :o

But now, best bet is to call your parish. Your priest will probably make time to hear your confession, or will know a priest who can.

When you do go, be prepared. Don’t hem and haw or use this time to ask for lots of advice. Confess you sin, get absolved and do your penance. For your new year’s resolution, make a point of getting to confession at least once a month.
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I work at the parish, the offices are closed until after Christmas. Offer it up.
 
I was in the same situation. I really was stupid for committing the sin! I managed to go to the parish and ask Father if he had a moment to hear confession just after one of the Christmas Eve Masses. He did and I’m grateful for it!

Merry Christmas!
 
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