Communion after perfect contrition

[thinkandmull]

I know it is common for priests to say that if you have committed a mortal sin you cannot go to communion unless you have gone to confession first. But I am wondering if the Church herself has made this teaching. Is anyone aware of Church doctrine or discipline about this (Trent?)?

 

[Bookcat]

I know it is common for priests to say that if you have committed a mortal sin you cannot go to communion unless you have gone to confession first. But I am wondering if the Church herself has made this teaching. Is anyone aware of Church doctrine or discipline about this (Trent?)?

Yes that is correct.

Catechism:

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."218 Anyone conscious of a grave sin **must **receive the sacrament of Reconciliation before coming to communion.

scborromeo.org/ccc/p2s2c1a3.htm#VI

And as the Compendium of the CCC puts it:

“Anyone who is conscious of having committed a grave sin must first receive the sacrament of Reconciliation before going to Communion.”

vatican.va/archive/compendium_ccc/documents/archive_2005_compendium-ccc_en.html

(grave sin here means mortal sin).

Now such is talking about mortal sin (grave matter, full knowledge and complete consent).

Only in some exceptional cases is it possible otherwise…under particular criteria. One has to have a grave reason and no opportunity to confess…

Catechism:

1457 According to the Church’s command, “after having attained the age of discretion, each of the faithful is bound by an obligation faithfully to confess serious sins at least once a year.” Anyone who is aware of having committed a mortal sin must not receive Holy Communion, even if he experiences deep contrition, without having first received sacramental absolution, unless he has a grave reason for receiving Communion and there is no possibility of going to confession. Children must go to the sacrament of Penance before receiving Holy Communion for the first time.

And Canon Law:

Can. 916 A person who is conscious of grave sin is not to …receive the body of the Lord without previous sacramental confession unless there is a grave reason and there is no opportunity to confess; in this case the person is to remember the obligation to make an act of perfect contrition which includes the resolution of confessing as soon as possible.

w2.vatican.va/content/vatican/it.html

 

[thinkandmull]

Thanks. I think Trent said that same thing, but I can’t recall for sure

 

[Confiteor_Deo]

Thanks. I think Trent said that same thing, but I can’t recall for sure

In the Roman Catechism it says:

Recipient of the Eucharist - Preparation of Soul
We should, in the next place, carefully examine whether our consciences be defiled by mortal sin, which has to be repented of, in order that it may be blotted out before Communion by the remedy of contrition and Confession. The Council of Trent has defined that no one conscious of mortal sin and having an opportunity of going to Confession, however contrite he may deem himself, is to approach the Holy Eucharist until he has been purified by sacramental Confession. (Sess. xiii. c. 7. can. 11.)

 

[Mary_Estelle]

Forgive me, but I am not sure that there is “perfect contrition or perfect repentance.” But we try though. Peace.

 

[peter26]

My priest doesn’t teach this. He told me while instructing me on the faith that it is okay to receive when you have an intention to confess as soon as possible.

 

[Confiteor_Deo]

Forgive me, but I am not sure that there is “perfect contrition or perfect repentance.” But we try though. Peace.

While it is difficult to have perfect contrition, it is possible through the grace of God. Otherwise, the Church wouldn’t present it as a possibility.

 

[josh987654321]

May I ask, how does one determine for sure whether they have committed a mortal sin? I know the (grave matter, full knowledge and complete consent) bit, I know ‘X’ is gave, and I have knowledge that it’s grave, I don’t know about ‘full consent’ because I don’t want to do it but I know a degree of consent is involved.

I always try to be in a state of grace when receiving and if I have sinned I always seek confession when I can, but there have been times where I have been unable to go to confession before receiving the Eucharist and I have still received.

Catechism:

*1457 Anyone who is aware of having committed a mortal sin must not receive Holy Communion, even if he experiences deep contrition, without having first received sacramental absolution, unless he has a grave reason for receiving Communion and there is no possibility of going to confession. *

I always pray the Rosary and Chaplet of Divine Mercy and try to be in a state of grace before receiving the Eucharist. I will be going to confession as soon as I can, but I can’t until the end of the week and I don’t even know whether I will be able to make that and then must I not receive on Sunday when I will be at Mass with friends and family? What do I do? and when I do go to confession, I normally confess all of the sins I am aware of, should I confess that I have received the Eucharist before without going to confession first, even if I have already confessed those sins before? and when I was younger before I even knew X was a grave sin or didn’t give it much thought and still received with my family, even if I have previously been to confession and confessed ‘X’ but not the receiving afterwards without having been to confession bit.

Also, if I had never confessed this for so many years, even when at the time I didn’t know, does that mean all of the Eucharist’s I have received was eating and drinking judgment upon my self? even if I have been deeply contrite and confessed them before?

I don’t want to go into detail, but I want to be right with God and I don’t know what to do. I don’t know whether I can make it to confession at the end of the week and I don’t know whether tonight I have eaten and drunk judgment upon myself, especially regarding this bit - Anyone who is aware of having committed a mortal sin must not receive Holy Communion, even if he experiences deep contrition

Please help. I will ask my confessor when I get the chance, but I usually just stick to my sins and don’t really have conversations or questions while in confession, I don’t even know how to bring something like this up in confession nor how to explain it. I just don’t know and I want to be right with God but without having read everything, there are many things I don’t know.

I’ve always thought, provided I’m contrite and I seek confession, I was doing okay.

I’m sorry for the way I’ve written this.

Thank you for reading
Josh

 

[josh987654321]

My priest doesn’t teach this. He told me while instructing me on the faith that it is okay to receive when you have an intention to confess as soon as possible.

That’s been my understanding also.

 

[Deo_Gratias42]

My priest doesn’t teach this. He told me while instructing me on the faith that it is okay to receive when you have an intention to confess as soon as possible.

Your priest is wrong. For the good of your soul, follow what the Church teaches in this matter and not what your priest says. The Council of Trent has very harsh words for those who teach otherwise.

 

[Deo_Gratias42]

While it is difficult to have perfect contrition, it is possible through the grace of God. Otherwise, the Church wouldn’t present it as a possibility.

Yes, but contrary to popular belief, perfect contrition doesn’t grow on trees. It’s very difficult and is not as common as people make it out to be. If one is regularly committing mortal sins, outside of extraordinary grace in an extremely rare occasion, one has to assume that contrition is not perfect. Committing mortal sin is a distinct choice a person chooses to commit a grave sin and rejects God. If a person has perfect contrition, they’re not going to choose to continue to reject God and choose mortal sin.

 

[Neofight]

Your priest is wrong. For the good of your soul, follow what the Church teaches in this matter and not what your priest says. The Council of Trent has very harsh words for those who teach otherwise.

However, if your priest is wrong, and you follow in good faith his guidance, your salvation is not necessary in jeopardy. Notice the “harsh words” by the Council of Trent were directed at those who “teach”. Those who teach are given similar warning scripturally.

 

[Vico]

Forgive me, but I am not sure that there is “perfect contrition or perfect repentance.” But we try though. Peace.

Perfect contrition is described in the Catechism as sorrow of the soul and detestation for the sin committed, together with the resolution not to sin again, arising from a love by which God is loved above all else.

1451 Among the penitent’s acts contrition occupies first place. Contrition is "sorrow of the soul and detestation for the sin committed, together with the resolution not to sin again."50

1452 When it arises from a love by which God is loved above all else, contrition is called “perfect” (contrition of charity). Such contrition remits venial sins; it also obtains forgiveness of mortal sins if it includes the firm resolution to have recourse to sacramental confession as soon as possible.51

 

[St_Francis]

May I ask, how does one determine for sure whether they have committed a mortal sin? I know the (grave matter, full knowledge and complete consent) bit, I know ‘X’ is gave, and I have knowledge that it’s grave, I don’t know about ‘full consent’ because I don’t want to do it but I know a degree of consent is involved.

If you have committed an act which is objectively a mortal sin, then confess it without worrying too much that it may have been mitigated by other factors. Just bite the bullet and confess.

I always try to be in a state of grace when receiving

The way to get into a state of grace is to go to Confession.

and if I have sinned I always seek confession when I can, but there have been times where I have been unable to go to confession before receiving the Eucharist and I have still received.

You should not have received if you were conscious of having committed what you know to be objectively a mortal sin.

Catechism:

*1457 Anyone who is aware of having committed a mortal sin must not receive Holy Communion, even if he experiences deep contrition, without having first received sacramental absolution, unless he has a grave reason for receiving Communion and there is no possibility of going to confession. *

Exactly.

I always pray the Rosary and Chaplet of Divine Mercy and try to be in a state of grace before receiving the Eucharist. I will be going to confession as soon as I can, but I can’t until the end of the week and I don’t even know whether I will be able to make that and then must I not receive on Sunday when I will be at Mass with friends and family? What do I do?

Don’t receive the Eucharist unless you are able to confess beforehand.

and when I do go to confession, I normally confess all of the sins I am aware of, should I confess that I have received the Eucharist before without going to confession first, even if I have already confessed those sins before?

Just say that before, you did not know that this was a sin, but now that you know, you want to confess it.

and when I was younger before I even knew X was a grave sin or didn’t give it much thought and still received with my family, even if I have previously been to confession and confessed ‘X’ but not the receiving afterwards without having been to confession bit.

If you did not know that you needed to confess it, don’t worry about it.

Also, if I had never confessed this for so many years, even when at the time I didn’t know, does that mean all of the Eucharist’s I have received was eating and drinking judgment upon my self? even if I have been deeply contrite and confessed them before?

Just briefly explain what happened the next time you go to Confession, and everything will be all right.

I don’t want to go into detail, but I want to be right with God and I don’t know what to do. I don’t know whether I can make it to confession at the end of the week and I don’t know whether tonight I have eaten and drunk judgment upon myself, especially regarding this bit - Anyone who is aware of having committed a mortal sin must not receive Holy Communion, even if he experiences deep contrition

You did not know, so you do not have to worry about it. Make an Act of Contrition by saying the Act of Contrition prayer, and ask Christ to help you get to Confession as soon as possible.

Please help. I will ask my confessor when I get the chance, but I usually just stick to my sins and don’t really have conversations or questions while in confession, I don’t even know how to bring something like this up in confession nor how to explain it. I just don’t know and I want to be right with God but without having read everything, there are many things I don’t know.

Christ judges us by what is in our hearts. If you look at the OT, when they list the penalties for sinning, if is always worded, When a man realizes he has (sinned,)…

Since the sacraments are outward signs available to us, we are obligated to rely on them rather than on our feelings or something, but we are also not to worry ourselves too much.

When you go to Confession, just say something simple like, I did not know that I needed to confess receiving the Eucharist while in a state of mortal sin; I just found out this week, so I am confessing having done so (give an approximation of how many times you might have done it–once a month for 10 years? Twice a year for five years? That sort of thing).

I’ve always thought, provided I’m contrite and I seek confession, I was doing okay.

You made a mistake, it’s ok. There is nothing more you could have done, is there *Thank God for having made sure you found out now. *

I’m sorry for the way I’ve written this.

Thank you for reading
Josh

 

[Kielbasi]

I know it is common for priests to say that if you have committed a mortal sin you cannot go to communion unless you have gone to confession first. But I am wondering if the Church herself has made this teaching. Is anyone aware of Church doctrine or discipline about this (Trent?)?

If you are actually dying, and there is no priest available to hear your confession, then it is acceptable.

Otherwise, the tradition is to wait until after you make confession.

 

[ProVobis]

My priest doesn’t teach this. He told me while instructing me on the faith that it is okay to receive when you have an intention to confess as soon as possible.

Let’s be honest. One can play this game forever and actually never go to confession.

The comedian Fr. Sarducci once said something once about weaseling and maneuvering one’s way around the confessional. It appears that some do just that. We tend to procrastinate that which is uncomfortable.

 

[Deo_Gratias42]

Let’s be honest. One can play this game forever and actually never go to confession.

The comedian Fr. Sarducci once said something once about weaseling and maneuvering one’s way around the confessional. It appears that some do just that. We tend to procrastinate that which is uncomfortable.

Let’s be honest. There’s a lot of priests teaching things the Church doesn’t teach. They will be held accountable for the souls they led astray.

That being said, as Catholics we are obligated to continue our faith formation and to study the faith in depth on our own according to our own abilities. We can’t simple says, “my priest taught us X”, and leave it at that despite it being an error. We must study our faith and correct the errors. I was taught a lot of things about the faith that weren’t actually what the Church taught (ie: it doesn’t matter what religion you are, He’ll doesn’t really exist. It’s just a state of mind that you decide to continue in after you die. Mortal sins are serious sins like killing someone or robbing a bank. It’s ok to use artificial birth control. Etc, etc.). I ended up leaving the Church. Thankfully God made good use of me procrastinating on YouTube where I stumbled upon the truth.

 

[St_Francis]

May I ask, how does one determine for sure whether they have committed a mortal sin? I know the (grave matter, full knowledge and complete consent) bit, I know ‘X’ is gave, and I have knowledge that it’s grave, I don’t know about ‘full consent’ because I don’t want to do it but I know a degree of consent is involved.

I always try to be in a state of grace when receiving and if I have sinned I always seek confession when I can, but there have been times where I have been unable to go to confession before receiving the Eucharist and I have still received.

Catechism:

*1457 Anyone who is aware of having committed a mortal sin must not receive Holy Communion, even if he experiences deep contrition, without having first received sacramental absolution, unless he has a grave reason for receiving Communion and there is no possibility of going to confession. *

I always pray the Rosary and Chaplet of Divine Mercy and try to be in a state of grace before receiving the Eucharist. I will be going to confession as soon as I can, but I can’t until the end of the week and I don’t even know whether I will be able to make that and then must I not receive on Sunday when I will be at Mass with friends and family? What do I do? and when I do go to confession, I normally confess all of the sins I am aware of, should I confess that I have received the Eucharist before without going to confession first, even if I have already confessed those sins before? and when I was younger before I even knew X was a grave sin or didn’t give it much thought and still received with my family, even if I have previously been to confession and confessed ‘X’ but not the receiving afterwards without having been to confession bit.

Also, if I had never confessed this for so many years, even when at the time I didn’t know, does that mean all of the Eucharist’s I have received was eating and drinking judgment upon my self? even if I have been deeply contrite and confessed them before?

I don’t want to go into detail, but I want to be right with God and I don’t know what to do. I don’t know whether I can make it to confession at the end of the week and I don’t know whether tonight I have eaten and drunk judgment upon myself, especially regarding this bit - Anyone who is aware of having committed a mortal sin must not receive Holy Communion, even if he experiences deep contrition

Please help. I will ask my confessor when I get the chance, but I usually just stick to my sins and don’t really have conversations or questions while in confession, I don’t even know how to bring something like this up in confession nor how to explain it. I just don’t know and I want to be right with God but without having read everything, there are many things I don’t know.

I’ve always thought, provided I’m contrite and I seek confession, I was doing okay.

I’m sorry for the way I’ve written this.

Thank you for reading
Josh

I left out a hugely important point in my previosu reply to you! I am sorry…

Anyway, Confession covers all our sins except for mortal sins we *deliberately *omit (which leads to a different, very serious situation).

So, you, not knowing that a certain act was a sin, did not confess it. It was forgiven anyway.

Now that you know, you need to avoid receiving the Eucharist when objectively in a state of mortal sin, and if you slip up, confess it.

You may want to include this at the end of your confession, when you say, For these and all the sins of my past life, including receiving our Lord when in an objective state of mortal sin, I am most heartily sorry.

 

[peter26]

Let’s be honest. There’s a lot of priests teaching things the Church doesn’t teach. They will be held accountable for the souls they led astray.

That being said, as Catholics we are obligated to continue our faith formation and to study the faith in depth on our own according to our own abilities. We can’t simple says, “my priest taught us X”, and leave it at that despite it being an error. We must study our faith and correct the errors. I was taught a lot of things about the faith that weren’t actually what the Church taught (ie: it doesn’t matter what religion you are, He’ll doesn’t really exist. It’s just a state of mind that you decide to continue in after you die. Mortal sins are serious sins like killing someone or robbing a bank. It’s ok to use artificial birth control. Etc, etc.). I ended up leaving the Church. Thankfully God made good use of me procrastinating on YouTube where I stumbled upon the truth.

I do know my priest is wrong about this. He went as far as to tell me that he has been advising people who have abstained from communion in mortal sin to receive next time and he will confess them afterwards. I didn’t feel able to point out the error in this, but it is concerning. He’s a very holy man and there is no malice here, its an honest mistake I think. I just hope no one is being led into sin by his advice.

 

[Deo_Gratias42]

I do know my priest is wrong about this. He went as far as to tell me that he has been advising people who have abstained from communion in mortal sin to receive next time and he will confess them afterwards. I didn’t feel able to point out the error in this, but it is concerning. He’s a very holy man and there is no malice here, its an honest mistake I think. I just hope no one is being led into sin by his advice.

It’s not an honest mistake. Priests spend years in seminary. You should tell the bishop. What he’s doing will harm souls if not send them to hell. He’s not holy if he’s telling people to commit grave sins.