Clarification needed re taking Communion

[mayogirl25]

I go to Confession at least 3 times per year. I take Holy Communion weekly at Sunday Mass. I was brought up Confession every Saturday no matter what. I have missed an occasional Sunday Mass but I say a good Act of Confession. Is that enough to take Communion? I have no other sins to confess otherwise I would go to Confession. Is missing Mass enough to deny my taking Communion without Confession?

 

[Confiteor_Deo]

Yes, missing Sunday Mass is a mortal sin, which prevents you from receiving Holy Communion worthily. You must go to Confession before you receive.

 

[Cor_ad_Cor]

Speak to a priest. Intent and other circumstances determine the culpability of sins.

 

[jmcrae]

Speak to a priest. Intent and other circumstances determine the culpability of sins.

^ This.

It’s definitely grave matter to miss Sunday Mass, but there are other factors to consider, such as whether you had the option to go to Mass (were you caring for a small child or elderly person, or were you attending the scene of an accident to render First Aid and call for help? Or did you simply decide to skip Mass and do something else instead?) and whether you properly understood the consequences of not going to Mass (loss of real grace, etc.).

 

[otjm]

Yes, missing Sunday Mass is a mortal sin, which prevents you from receiving Holy Communion worthily. You must go to Confession before you receive.

It is a grievous sin if the normal qualifications are present. If there is a legitimate reason Mass was missed, it is no sin at all.

The matter must be serious (Sunday Mass is); the individual must know it is serious (there seems to be a possibility that the OP was not properly catechized, or one would assume the question would already be answered); and the individual must intend the sin.

Blanket comments when there is a lack of information are not helpful, either to the OP or to others who may not understand all of the issue.

And one does not “take” Communion; one receives it.

 

[Neofight]

Yes, missing Sunday Mass is a mortal sin, which prevents you from receiving Holy Communion worthily. You must go to Confession before you receive.

This is inaccurate advice, which could add unnecessary guilt to the OP and others with similar concerns.

Missing Sunday Mass is NOT necessarily a mortal sin. While it may constitute grave matter, and full knowledge may be involved, the issue of full consent often can keep this situation from being a mortal sin.

OP, please address the specifics in your case with your priest, and Confiteor Deo, please refer to the Catechism of the Catholic Church for Church teachings on sin.

 

[AdorateDominum]

This is inaccurate advice, which could add unnecessary guilt to the OP and others with similar concerns.

I think the poster you’re responding to has made a very clear statement on what the norm is in this type of situation.

Yes, there can be exceptions in terms of culpability.

But I’m very, very nervous that folks put far too much emphasis on mitigating factors and not enough on admitting their responsibility.

I think it is fair to say that the Church does not have incredibly precise statements on what full knowledge and full consent actually mean. But it does seem to be generally assumed that one can mortally sin when one has the capacity to make a sufficiently free human act.

The OP makes it clear that they understand that not going to Holy Mass on Sunday is grave matter. I’m sure she made the choice to not go, but I’m not sure it was for a reason she thinks excuses her.

Her question is therefore whether committing a mortal sin implies one should not receive Holy Communion if one has made an Act of Perfect Contriton but has not gone to Confession.

The answer is that yes, not receiving Holy Communion is precisely what is envisioned in that situation. I don’t think it’s helpful to pull out the culpability card here, or to insinuate someone might have no subjective guilt when they’ve committed an objective mortal sin. To even consider that possibility with a stranger over the internet is in no way a service to them, especially when they may not be particularly well formed.

I know that CAF is very fond of telling everyone to go see their priest and ask them whatever question of moral theology they might have.

I agree.

Let’s also encourage them to do so in Confession.

 

[St_Pancake]

It is a grievous sin if the normal qualifications are present. If there is a legitimate reason Mass was missed, it is no sin at all.

The matter must be serious (Sunday Mass is); the individual must know it is serious (there seems to be a possibility that the OP was not properly catechized, or one would assume the question would already be answered); and the individual must intend the sin.

Blanket comments when there is a lack of information are not helpful, either to the OP or to others who may not understand all of the issue.

And one does not “take” Communion; one receives it.

“Take and eat; this is my body.”

 

[pianistclare]

“Take and eat; this is my body.”

Do we TAKE Christ’s Body and Blood from Him? No,
We receive Him Body, Blood, soul and Divinity.
Does anyone ever say " I just took my First Holy Communion ??? NO.

otjm is correct.

 

[pianistclare]

I think the poster you’re responding to has made a very clear statement on what the norm is in this type of situation.

Yes, there can be exceptions in terms of culpability.

But I’m very, very nervous that folks put far too much emphasis on mitigating factors and not enough on admitting their responsibility.

I think it is fair to say that the Church does not have incredibly precise statements on what full knowledge and full consent actually mean. But it does seem to be generally assumed that one can mortally sin when one has the capacity to make a sufficiently free human act.

The OP makes it clear that they understand that not going to Holy Mass on Sunday is grave matter. I’m sure she made the choice to not go, but I’m not sure it was for a reason she thinks excuses her.

Her question is therefore whether committing a mortal sin implies one should not receive Holy Communion if one has made an Act of Perfect Contriton but has not gone to Confession.

The answer is that yes, not receiving Holy Communion is precisely what is envisioned in that situation. I don’t think it’s helpful to pull out the culpability card here, or to insinuate someone might have no subjective guilt when they’ve committed an objective mortal sin. To even consider that possibility with a stranger over the internet is in no way a service to them, especially when they may not be particularly well formed.

I know that CAF is very fond of telling everyone to go see their priest and ask them whatever question of moral theology they might have.

I agree.

Let’s also encourage them to do so in Confession.

Better still, let’s let his pastor advise him based on his particular situation rather than lecturing him. If he may be ill-formed as you are willing to concede, such definitive statements do more harm than good. If one has to ask…then one is confused.

 

[Churchman25]

Although an act of contrition is a good thing to say unless missing for some serious reason like its really snowing out or you are sick with a severe cold with coughing and sneezing, Is a Mortal sin.
You must go to confession as soon as possible.

 

[ccmcmg]

Although an act of contrition is a good thing to say unless missing for some serious reason like its really snowing out or you are sick with a severe cold with coughing and sneezing, Is a Mortal sin.
You must go to confession as soon as possible.

For the record, not all illnesses are obvious, or have fever/sneezing/coughing.

I have had severe panic attacks that caused me either to leave or miss Mass altogether. I recommend discussing things like this with your priest (as I have), or refraining from Communion (not Mass!) until confession or a discussion with your priest, with all circumstances revealed.

Also, perfect contrition is difficult.

 

[Churchman25]

I never said anything about perfect contrition. I was talking about the act of contrition there is a difference.

 

[ccmcmg]

I never said anything about perfect contrition. I was talking about the act of contrition there is a difference.

Perfect contrition is required to be forgiven of a mortal sin when Confession is impossible.

 

[henry_rex]

These replies are just too funny; mincing/ minimizing mortal sins. Good luck.

 

[pianistclare]

These replies are just too funny; mincing/ minimizing mortal sins. Good luck.

Nobody is minimizing anything.
You can’t get a answer that pertains to you from internet strangers. He needs to just go to confession and the priest will decide if he’s culpable.

Telling scrupulous people that they are doomed makes it worse. It’s not charitable or helpful.

 

[Oneofthewomen]

Please be at peace and do not pay attention to some of these replies. I know that people think they are being kind by instructing you, but without all the information, we are all just guessing here.

You don’t say “why” you missed Mass a couple of times. That is a huge factor in whether or not you committed a “mortal sin”. Yes, missing Mass is “grave matter”, but if you were sick, caring for someone else, the weather was bad & travel was dangerous, or any host of other issues you did not consent to, there is no sin.

If you are worried, ask your priest and then follow his advice.

Peace be with you!

I go to Confession at least 3 times per year. I take Holy Communion weekly at Sunday Mass. I was brought up Confession every Saturday no matter what. I have missed an occasional Sunday Mass but I say a good Act of Confession. Is that enough to take Communion? I have no other sins to confess otherwise I would go to Confession. Is missing Mass enough to deny my taking Communion without Confession?

 

[otjm]

“Take and eat; this is my body.”

There has been a specific question concerning reception in the hand, and the Church was emphatic tht one was not to take the Host; one was to receive it. Specifically, it ws pointed out that either deacons nor laity are to self-communicate. That is “taking”.

I am well aware of the Gopsels. And if you want to drill down in the matter, there is plenty of commentary that the Apostles were ordained that night (and (I am not debating the point); Changes to the liturgy of the Mass introduced concelebration, and in any concelebration, each priest/bishop self-communicates, and they are the only ones who do so.

We (everyone not ordained a priest or bishop) receive. We do not take.

It is simply sloppy language. No one that I ever knew before Vatican 2 would have said that we “take” Communion (and Vatican 2 did not change that). and while it is sloppy language, it is also sloppy thinking according to the rubrics of the Church.

 

[ProVobis]

“Take and eat; this is my body.”

Yup, that’s the way ACCIPITE is rendered in the English.

Some folks seemed not to have accepted that, no pun intended.

 

[otjm]

I never said anything about perfect contrition. I was talking about the act of contrition there is a difference.

I would suggest that reading the Catechism of the Catholic Church will point out that simplistic answers do not apply.

The best advice given in this thread is that the OP speak with her confessor.