Confession as soon as possible

[ILoveYeshua]

If a Mass happens to be scheduled before a set time for Reconciliation, would a person who had perfect contrition be wise to see if the celebrating priest would hear a confession before or after the Mass?

 

[runningdude]

If a Mass happens to be scheduled before a set time for Reconciliation, would a person who had perfect contrition be wise to see if the celebrating priest would hear a confession before or after the Mass?

Appointments in advance are generally preferred, though a priest might be willing to hear an occasional unscheduled confession.

There is no obligation to confess before merely attending mass. Simply refrain from receiving the Eucharist if aware of mortal sin. Without mortal sin, the Eucharist will forgive any venial sins.

 

[Ad_Orientem]

I’d be careful about presuming that my contrition was perfect on a given occasion, although it may have been. Better to follow form, not in a legalistic way, but out of humility.

 

[ILoveYeshua]

To Ad Orientem, by following form do you mean just going to the set Confession?

 

[Ad_Orientem]

No, I mean refraining from reception of Holy Communion until all grave sins have been confessed. Sorry for being unclear.

 

[Sunflake9]

I’m blessed with a Priest who would rather hear a unscheduled confession than let them miss receiving the Eucharist. You never know unless you ask.

 

[InNomineDomini]

No, I mean refraining from reception of Holy Communion until all grave sins have been confessed. Sorry for being unclear.

I absolutely agree.

Canon 916 of the Code of Canon Law does permit receiving Holy Communion *merely *after making an act of perfect contrition.

However, this is only to be so when it is utterly impossible to go to confession, and if there is an absolutely grave need to receive Our Lord. (I’m not sure how easily these conditions could ever sincerely apply to the laity.)

Under normal circumstances, an act of perfect contrition does not remove the need for confession of mortal sins before receiving Jesus.

Also, seriously intending and willing to be sorrowful for sins because they offend God who is all-good and deserving of all our love, is sufficient to have moral certainty that you’ve made an act of perfect contrition. Feelings and emotions, don’t forget, have no part in this: it is an act of the will and the intellect.

 

[Sunflake9]

If a Mass happens to be scheduled before a set time for Reconciliation, would a person who had perfect contrition be wise to see if the celebrating priest would hear a confession before or after the Mass?

If it were me I would see if he could hear my confession before. If he could not hear your confession until after Mass I would refrain from taking communion. There is no way to know if you had a “Perfect” act of contrition. Only God knows that. You could then ask the Priest after your confession if you could receive the Eucharist.

 

[Uncanny]

I’m blessed with a Priest who would rather hear a unscheduled confession than let them miss receiving the Eucharist. You never know unless you ask.

I agree with this. Aren’t priests like that wonderful?

 

[runningdude]

I’m blessed with a Priest who would rather hear a unscheduled confession than let them miss receiving the Eucharist. You never know unless you ask.

Nearly every priest I know would be willing to hear an unscheduled confession. The key is to not abuse the privilege

 

[ILoveYeshua]

Thanks for you guys’ (name removed by moderator)ut.