Communion

[Cordelil]

JOL,

As far as apologetics is concerned Alan Schreck"s “Catholic and Christian” is a simple, no holds barred, straight approach to the “Common Misunderstood Catholic Beliefs” - it’s subtitle, by the way.

John

 

[ralphinal]

Thanks…this was my next question… “As for ‘perfect’ contrition-how do you know? Is it a feeling? An inner voice? I cannot say whether or not I have committed an act of perfect contrition. Can you?” "…How do you know you have givin a “perfect” contrition?

Perfect contrition is hard. One of the classic definitions is being sorry for your sins for the sole reason that they offend God. No fear of hell or anything else, just because you have offended God. Some also attach a purpose of amendment that is more stringent than “firm” as required by confession. Also, it would require a serious examination of conscience that does not leave room for any kind of justification of the acts themselves. In other words, you cannot try to reason what was sin and what was not, what was mortal and what was venial, or what had circumstances that lessen your guilt.

I am not sure that I have ever had true “Perfect Contrition.” That is one reason I love confession so much.