Confession question

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Angela77

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Today I think I might have committed a mortal sin…not really sure if it’s mortal or venial. Just to be safe, I really want to go to Confession tomorrow before Mass. However, I looked at the schedules for all 3 of the parishes in my area, and none of them have confession on Sunday’s. 😛 So, should I not receive the Eucharist, or can I receive it as long as I go to Confession at the soonest possible opportunity, ie, not until next Saturday.
 
Once , about 15 min before Mass, while priest was in room, I asked him if he could hear my confession. He did!
or I have also… ask priest if he could hear your confession right after Mass and this way you can receive communion.
Blessings!
 
The problem is that I don’t really know this priest well enough to do that. If it were the one at my college, I could definitely do that. But I just don’t know this guy well enough. It would be less awkward to just not receive communion.
 
Why do you feel you need to know the priest in order to ask for to make an unscheduled confession? That’s what I would do, whether he was a priest I knew well or not at all. I would ask if he had time before Mass- I’d probably make a point of showing up very early, to increase my chances of him having enough time. I did it once with the priest in my parish, and he was very gracious. He probably recognized my face, but I doubt he knew my name.
 
I would just ask; in fact I’ve done this before with a priest I didn’t know at all. I was also going to do the same tomorrow with a priest I’ve only met once as I am surprised confession isn’t offered before Mass in his parish which offers the Extraordinary Form early in the morning. Their website said there was none at all on Sundays though also said “other times by appointment” which is common.
 
Angela77 said:
Today I think I might have committed a mortal sin…not really sure if it’s mortal or venial. Just to be safe, I really want to go to Confession tomorrow before Mass. However, I looked at the schedules for all 3 of the parishes in my area, and none of them have confession on Sunday’s. 😛 So, should I not receive the Eucharist, or can I receive it as long as I go to Confession at the soonest possible opportunity, ie, not until next Saturday.
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Speaking as a priest myself: priests are generally more than happy to hear the confessions of the faithful when they ask them. Don’t be afraid to ask! (If for some reason he can’t help you then and there he will let you know when he will be available, or where another priest might be found.)

(If for some reason you can’t make it to confession before Sunday Mass, your Sunday obligation is fulfilled simply by attending the Mass. Receiving Communion is not required.)
 
On several or more occasions, at the parish I attend, where there has been 3 priests over the last 2 1/2 years it is an occasion where the priest(s) will suggest seeing after Mass and receiving communion. It is not usual, but it has been offered this way.

Another thought I had is to call the priest, or perhaps email ( an email address is generally on the website) and ask when they could see you for confession, mentioning some times that are good for you).

I have done this with a priest I do not know well, out of area, and his reply was
“Thank you for asking me”…and we arranged a time.
I believe any priest would be happy to help.

Blessings and prayers to you!
 
LoveMercyGrace said:
On several or more occasions, at the parish I attend, where there has been 3 priests over the last 2 1/2 years it is an occasion where the priest(s) will suggest seeing after Mass and receiving communion. It is not usual, but it has been offered this way.

Another thought I had is to call the priest, or perhaps email ( an email address is generally on the website) and ask when they could see you for confession, mentioning some times that are good for you).

I have done this with a priest I do not know well, out of area, and his reply was
“Thank you for asking me”…and we arranged a time.
I believe any priest would be happy to help.

Blessings and prayers to you!
Click to expand...
Taking Holy Communion while not in a state of grace is considered sacrilege. Something I’ve done before is gone to confession after Mass and simply asked for communion once absolution had been granted.
 
As an aside, I would definitely pose this as a question for my priest during my next Confession. That way, I could learn the principles in play, and would know what do in the future. 🙂

As a general rule, if we’re not sure if we’ve committed a mortal sin, we should probably refrain from receiving Christ. But of course, there’s the massive exception for those who are scrupulous; and also, there’s the axiom that, if you have to ask if it’s a mortal sin after the fact, then it probably wasn’t. (But I’m not the Pope, so totally don’t take my word for it. I could be completely wrong. Check around with some priests that you trust.)

But yes, if you bring this sort of thing up with a good priest, then eventually, you’ll learn enough to be able to almost always distinguish between mortal and venial sin.

In point of fact, this examination of conscience may help, too: catholicparents.org/oxcart/Examination%20of%20Conscience.pdf

There’s a section on mortal sins, but also one on venial sins and imperfections. Check it out, it may help.
 
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