Do I need to go to confession before receiving the Eucharist again?

[tapiocapudding]

I missed mass last Sunday because I was up a lot with my baby (teething) and chose to sleep in instead . I know this is a sin and I plan to go to confession next week when it’s offered as I have some other sins that have been weighing on my soul. But my question is do I need to abstain from receiving the Eucharist tomorrow morning? Please let me know ASAP!

 

[Mel_Stones]

It sounds like you consciously chose to skip Mass knowing your obligation and the gravity of the matter which makes it a mortal sin. I recommend you either ask your priest for confession 10-20 minutes before Mass - I hear it happens more than we’d think - or abstain.

Remember there is nothing we need more (not even sleep) than the presence of God and Mass is one of the best places to experience His presence.

Perhaps Saturday nights would work better to fulfill your Sunday obligation so you won’t have to get up in the morning - I know I’m not a morning person even without a teething child. Just a suggestion .

Christ’s peace be with you (one of the best places to receive that peace is Confession ).

 

[tapiocapudding]

thank you. I will abstain from the Eucharist tomorrow and attend confession and Saturday evening Mass next week (great suggestion, especially since we are moving next Sunday!)

 

[Mel_Stones]

Glad I could be of help!

 

[StrawberryJam]

Caring for a child, an ill child is a permissable reason to miss Mass I think.

I read that here.

 

[kage_ar]

Care of infants is a valid reason to miss Mass - the Church considers children as infants until age 7.

scborromeo.org/ccc/para/2181.htm

**2181 **The Sunday Eucharist is the foundation and confirmation of all Christian practice. For this reason the faithful are obliged to participate in the Eucharist on days of obligation, unless excused for a serious reason (for example, illness, the care of infants) or dispensed by their own pastor. Those who deliberately fail in this obligation commit a grave sin.

 

[EphelDuath]

I do not think it was a mortal sin, by virtue of the fact that you were unaware of whether or not it would be a grave sin to miss the Holy Mass under those circumstances. Still, abstain just to be safe, I would think.

 

[baltobetsy]

Care of infants is a valid reason to miss Mass - the Church considers children as infants until age 7.

scborromeo.org/ccc/para/2181.htm

**2181 **The Sunday Eucharist is the foundation and confirmation of all Christian practice. For this reason the faithful are obliged to participate in the Eucharist on days of obligation, unless excused for a serious reason (for example, illness, the care of infants) or dispensed by their own pastor. Those who deliberately fail in this obligation commit a grave sin.

Thank you for injecting some facts into the discussion. If tapiocapudding decides to confess this, I hope she tells the priest the entire circumstance so he can set her straight about whether or not she committed a sin.

Betsy

 

[LilyM]

Thank you for injecting some facts into the discussion. If tapiocapudding decides to confess this, I hope she tells the priest the entire circumstance so he can set her straight about whether or not she committed a sin.

Betsy

Exactly - there’s a danger, if advice is not sought about this, that you will go through the rest of your life thinking that such a behaviour is a sin when it actually might not be, depending on the circumstances.

 

[Jason_1977]

Here’s my question though, in the mass, there is the confession that we are sinners, we have sinned, etc, & we ask forgiveness for our sins BEFORE the eucharist, does that count? Where can I find out that documentation? Also, Circumstantially, what if you’ve been in training for 2 months, flown off to kuwait for 7 months, had a schedule impossible to allow for going to mass, then coming home, being home for a week & finally going to mass tomorrow evening for the first time in a year? I’ve gotten smaller sins like getting upset at my shipmates, lol but my mentality was different in a war zone, so I’m definitely not sure if I’ve sinned. I’ve made jokes about the Kuwaitis from time to time, but there was nothing else to laugh at sometimes, so yeah, slightly confused, very saavy in scripture, but shady on protocol, (been catholic for a year & a half) any advice?

 

[LilyM]

Here’s my question though, in the mass, there is the confession that we are sinners, we have sinned, etc, & we ask forgiveness for our sins BEFORE the eucharist, does that count? Where can I find out that documentation? Also, Circumstantially, what if you’ve been in training for 2 months, flown off to kuwait for 7 months, had a schedule impossible to allow for going to mass, then coming home, being home for a week & finally going to mass tomorrow evening for the first time in a year? I’ve gotten smaller sins like getting upset at my shipmates, lol but my mentality was different in a war zone, so I’m definitely not sure if I’ve sinned. I’ve made jokes about the Kuwaitis from time to time, but there was nothing else to laugh at sometimes, so yeah, slightly confused, very saavy in scripture, but shady on protocol, (been catholic for a year & a half) any advice?

The part of the Mass where we ask for forgiveness does contain a prayer for absolution - that only operates for venial (minor) sins, not the more serious (mortal) sins, which must be confessed. From the Catechism:

“1493 One who desires to obtain reconciliation with God and with the Church, must confess to a priest all the unconfessed grave sins he remembers after having carefully examined his conscience. The confession of venial faults, without being necessary in itself, is nevertheless strongly recommended by the Church.”

There are exceptions - for example in cases where confession is impossible. Although it’d be rare that you’d be able to attend Mass but not able to quickly ask the priest to hear your confession first!

If it was literally impossible for you to go to Mass due to your (very important and much appreciated) work whilst away, that’s certainly not a sin.

I’d certainly take the opportunity for confession whether your sins are serious or not - it would probably have been a while since you’ve confessed, no? And I’d bring up anything you’re unsure of. Then all your bases are covered.

Laughing at the Kuwaitis? As in the people you’re supposed to be working with and helping? St Martin of Tours was a soldier - the one who famously cut his cloak in half to share with a beggar. Can’t for the life of me picture him making fun of anyone. Or losing his temper at anyone.

Unlikely to be serious sins, though, given the stressful situation you must’ve been in. Then again, Jesus was in a far worse predicament and didn’t lash out in any way at those who were around Him at His crucifixion.

Bottom line, all imperfections can and should be confessed and worked on. Jesus told us to be perfect, remember, so we’re not meant to settle for near enough or good enough.

God bless, and hope you enjoy your return home.

 

[Jason_1977]

The part of the Mass where we ask for forgiveness does contain a prayer for absolution - that only operates for venial (minor) sins, not the more serious (mortal) sins, which must be confessed.

There are exceptions - for example in cases where confession is impossible. Although it’d be rare that you’d be able to attend Mass but not able to quickly ask the priest to hear your confession first!

If it was literally impossible for you to go to Mass due to your (very important and much appreciated) work whilst away, that’s certainly not a sin.

I’d certainly take the opportunity for confession whether your sins are serious or not - it would probably have been a while since you’ve confessed, no? And I’d bring up anything you’re unsure of.

Laughing at the Kuwaitis? As in the people you’re supposed to be working with and helping? St Martin of Tours was a soldier - the one who famously cut his cloak in half to share with a beggar. Can’t for the life of me picture him making fun of anyone. Or losing his temper at anyone.

Unlikely to be serious sins, though, given the stressful situation you must’ve been in. Then again, Jesus was in a far worse predicament and didn’t lash out in any way at those who were around Him at His crucifixion.

Bottom line, all imperfections can and should be confessed and worked on. Jesus told us to be perfect, remember, so we’re not meant to settle for near enough or good enough.

God bless, and hope you enjoy your return home.

oh, no-no-no…the Kuwaiti soldiers, they walked around with theit\r boots untied & laces flopping around, they were very unpresentable at times and 90% of the time were asleep at their posts because they knew we were there…so we kinda snickered at them because we thought if we werent there, their nap time would disappear, etc…I DID buy 2 local arab guys digging through the trash a brand new pair of shoes of their choice along with 1 bag of socks a piece. I did take care of some of them. Their military was a bit sketchy though. I’m home now, and rarin to go to mass tomorrow evening, & I was curious if I could take the eucharist. That’s all. Yes, Jesus did have quite the load on his mind, more so than mine.

 

[LilyM]

oh, no-no-no…the Kuwaiti soldiers, they walked around with theit\r boots untied & laces flopping around, they were very unpresentable at times and 90% of the time were asleep at their posts because they knew we were there…so we kinda snickered at them because we thought if we werent there, their nap time would disappear, etc…I DID buy 2 local arab guys digging through the trash a brand new pair of shoes of their choice along with 1 bag of socks a piece. I did take care of some of them. Their military was a bit sketchy though. I’m home now, and rarin to go to mass tomorrow evening, & I was curious if I could take the eucharist. That’s all. Yes, Jesus did have quite the load on his mind, more so than mine.

I’m sure you’ll be blessed for your act of charity.

However, I do think you should’ve concentrated on doing your job and teaching the Kuwaitis how they should be doing theirs, rather than laughing at them.

Regardless, make sure you hit the confessional before going to Mass, even if you’ve nothing mortal to confess.

 

[Jason_1977]

we never were rude to them, we said these things amongst ouselves. I do appreciate your insight, thanks & God bless!

 

[Joan_M]

we never were rude to them, we said these things amongst ouselves. I do appreciate your insight, thanks & God bless!

Remember, one of the sins against the 8th commandment (Thou shalt not bear false witness) is that of rash judgment. That is when, within your own mind, you make a judgment of someone while not knowing them or why they do what they do. This can be a mortal sin if your rash judgment destroys that persons reputation with you. No one else need even know what you think about the person. It becomes calumny when you share that rash judgment with others, and so can be another mortal sin.

Sometimes we can be crass and arrive at really wrong ideas about other people. It’s not nice at all.

 

[ahollars]

Remember, one of the sins against the 8th commandment (Thou shalt not bear false witness) is that of rash judgment. That is when, within your own mind, you make a judgment of someone while not knowing them or why they do what they do. This can be a mortal sin if your rash judgment destroys that persons reputation with you. No one else need even know what you think about the person. It becomes calumny when you share that rash judgment with others, and so can be another mortal sin.

Sometimes we can be crass and arrive at really wrong ideas about other people. It’s not nice at all.

This logic does not apply to a soldier assigned to a military unit inside a war zone.

I, too, am an ex-soldier who spent a year in Kuwait. Professionalism and dedication to duty are not just for appearances. The notion that this understanding is beyond the soldiers of any host nation is simply not true. Talking amongst ourselves was not only wise, but required. We always had to be mindful of our surroundings, and any flaws must be reported to our fellow soldiers who shared duties as well as our superiors. If a soldier from another nation is criticized, then they caused it themselves. Laughter is nowhere near passing judgment, or any of the other things you implied.

Sleeping on duty is an serious offense that has killed many soldiers throughout history.

As for missing mass, your first duty is to follow your orders. As a soldier, you are under oath, “so help me, God.” Any Catholic Chaplin will tell you that this is not a sin.

 

[paperwight]

Exactly - there’s a danger, if advice is not sought about this, that you will go through the rest of your life thinking that such a behaviour is a sin when it actually might not be, depending on the circumstances.

Absolutely agree.

If you ask any spiritual director, they will tell you that we must fulfil the duites involved in our state of ife i.e. in the OP’s case, her duty is to be a good mother.

We are also told that we must not endanger our health.

Sleeping in need not be a sin, as during the day, she must be on reasonable form to care for her family. Babies don’t know it’s Sunday and so they don’t give the mum an easy day just because of the day!

i would occasionally miss Mass in those circumstances - a bad night with the children - as I knew that otherwise, I would probably get a migraine and be out of commission for at least 24 hours.