Confession and communion at Easter - do I really have to?

[Xandria]

Easter is approaching and as Catholics we are obliged, if I understand correctly, to go to confession shortly before and to receive communion.

I know I need to go to confession to make things right again, whether Easter is coming or not, I have not gone to communion for the past weeks because of this. In order to fulfill my Easter obligation of confession and communion I would have to go this Saturday, that’s only two days from now. But the thing is, I really don’t feel ready yet. I don’t think I have enough repentance and the will to change right now. And since I have almost stopped living with God these past 2 months it is getting really hard to “get back into it”. As badly as I’m doing right now, I really don’t want to make a mockery out of the sacrament by just going through the motions because of the Church rule to confess and receive communion at Easter. I would prefer another 2 or 3 weeks to slowly sort things out with God and myself. I need more time to do a proper examination of conscience, pray for the grace of repentance and to actually want to repent and live as a practicing Catholic again.

But I don’t want to screw up even more. If I don’t go to confession and communion, will I commit yet another sin that needs confession?

 

[MissBorgia]

Jesus is looking for you. He misses you and wants you to come back to Him. Easter is a wonderful time for starting fresh with things. No matter what you have done, or said, He Loves you and wants you to come back to Him. Go to confession and unburden yourself to Him.Then be able to approach Him in the form of the Blessed Sacrement in Holy Communion. Rise with Him again on Easter Sunday. I will be praying for you.

 

[tbtcom1213]

Easter Duty

The second precept (“You shall confess your sins at least once a year”) ensures preparation for the Eucharist by the reception of the sacrament of reconciliation, which continues Baptism’s work of conversion and forgiveness.

The third precept (“You shall receive the sacrament of the Eucharist at least during the Easter season”) guarantees as a minimum the reception of the Lord’s Body and Blood in connection with the Paschal feasts, the origin and center of the Christian liturgy.

Catechism of the Catholic Church 2042

Can. 920 §1. After being initiated into the Most Holy Eucharist, each of the faithful is obliged to receive holy communion at least once a year.

§2. This precept must be fulfilled during the Easter season unless it is fulfilled for a just cause at another time during the year.

Source: cathapol.blogspot.com/2009/03/easter-duty.html

In the United States the Easter Duty is extended from The First Sunday of Lent to Trnity Sunday (1st Sunday after Pentecost)

 

[Stumblesalot]

Easter is approaching and as Catholics we are obliged, if I understand correctly, to go to confession shortly before and to receive communion.

I know I need to go to confession to make things right again, whether Easter is coming or not, I have not gone to communion for the past weeks because of this. In order to fulfill my Easter obligation of confession and communion I would have to go this Saturday, that’s only two days from now. But the thing is, I really don’t feel ready yet. I don’t think I have enough repentance and the will to change right now. And since I have almost stopped living with God these past 2 months it is getting really hard to “get back into it”. As badly as I’m doing right now, I really don’t want to make a mockery out of the sacrament by just going through the motions because of the Church rule to confess and receive communion at Easter. I would prefer another 2 or 3 weeks to slowly sort things out with God and myself. I need more time to do a proper examination of conscience, pray for the grace of repentance and to actually want to repent and live as a practicing Catholic again.

But I don’t want to screw up even more. If I don’t go to confession and communion, will I commit yet another sin that needs confession?

Hi,

I cannot emphasise strongly enough that the reason you are currently feeling so lethargic and apathetic in terms of your faith is because you are depriving yourself of the sacraments you (and indeed, all of us) need to stay spiritually robust. We are not saved by our own strength of will or personal attributes, but by God. God saves us by gifting us the graces we require for salvation through the sacraments of the church. Even if you feel like you are just ‘going through the motions’; please, please, please attend confession and communion and you will find your confessions, will to receive the sacraments and general train of thought etc. will improve.

God bless

 

[Steady_Eddy]

Hi,

I cannot emphasise strongly enough that the reason you are currently feeling so lethargic and apathetic in terms of your faith is because you are depriving yourself of the sacraments you (and indeed, all of us) need to stay spiritually robust. We are not saved by our own strength of will or personal attributes, but by God. God saves us by gifting us the graces we require for salvation through the sacraments of the church. Even if you feel like you are just ‘going through the motions’; please, please, please attend confession and communion and you will find your confessions, will to receive the sacraments and general train of thought etc. will improve.

God bless

I like what you said here, especially the following sentence of yours.

‘God saves us by gifting us the graces we require for salvation through the sacraments of the church”

Very well put indeed.

2 Cor 13:13
Eddy Barry

 

[nickybr38]

Easter Duty

In the United States the Easter Duty is extended from The First Sunday of Lent to Trnity Sunday (1st Sunday after Pentecost)

I was unaware we had to receive confession specifically during Lent. If you are in need of confession before you can receive communion then yes you NEED to go to confession…

but if you are not in need of confession to receive communion then would confession still be necessary?

I went to confession the week before Lent started and I do not believe I am in a state of mortal sin so I will be receiving communion on Easter but I will not be able to go to confession prior to. Mostly because of my work schedule and the times for confession my parish has. I’d probably go to confession despite not ‘needing’ it anyway because I love confession but because of time constraints I can’t.

In the end you shouldn’t be going because you’re ‘obligated’ to go. You should because you love God and want to make things right with Him.

I encourage you to spend some time in prayer and then suck it up and see your priest for confession. You’ll be relieved you did once it’s over and then you can receive communion and focus on our Lord and how to restore your relationship with Him.

 

[englishredrose]

You might feel ready once you have been to confession. Confession is might be what you need to help you feel ready.

 

[NewEnglandPriest]

Can. 989 After having reached the age of discretion, each member of the faithful is obliged to confess faithfully his or her grave sins at least once a year.

If you truly and sincerely believe that you have no grave sins then you are apparently not required to go to confession.

 

[Mrs_Sally]

If you truly and sincerely believe that you have no grave sins then you are apparently not required to go to confession.

This is what I was taught also. However, someone who has been away from the sacraments would benefit greatly from confession. I find that regular confession, even when not aware of “grave sin” is so comforting, and strengthens me in my faith.

 

[anp1215]

Isn’t the obligation to confess ones grave sins at least once a year preferably during Lent? As in, it doesn’t actually have to be during Lent.