Your sources cannot be Catholic ones. Have you consulted the Catechism?I’ve been coming across various sources that seem to imply so but at the same time I also see some sources that say at least imperfect contrition is needed or don’t mention the issue at all -so I’ve come here to ask.
Where does this say anything about perfect contrition?1415 Anyone who desires to receive Christ in Eucharistic communion must be in the state of grace. Anyone aware of having sinned mortally must not receive communion without having received absolution in the sacrament of penance.
My first thought on reading this was - why are you asking this? Why would you want to have anything BUT perfect contrition?I’ve been coming across various sources that seem to imply so but at the same time I also see some sources that say at least imperfect contrition is needed or don’t mention the issue at all -so I’ve come here to ask.
From the Catholic Encyclopedia:Your sources cannot be Catholic ones. Have you consulted the Catechism?
Where does this say anything about perfect contrition?
It appears that the part quoted is very narrow and perhaps a greater context is needed to make a more full and accurate assessment. Do you have a link to the appropriate page that we may read more fully?From the Catholic Encyclopedia:
“Presupposing what is self-evident, that there is question neither of…nor a lack of imperfect contrition (attritio), which would altogether hinder the justifying effect of the sacrament (Communion),…”
So the logic of this line suggests that at least imperfect contrition is a necessary condition for attaining the host.
As to the other question, I think that that line implies the opposite (that contrition is not requisite to have the Eucharist (unless one counts the contrition needed to go to confession).
The bolded words seem to imply that this passage refers to the remission of venial sins that occurs when one receives Holy Communion worthily. This discussion is whether or not venial sins can be forgiven by Holy Communion if one is not sorry for them, not whether or not one can receive Holy Communion.From the Catholic Encyclopedia:
“Presupposing what is self-evident, that there is question neither of…nor a lack of imperfect contrition (attritio), which would altogether hinder the **justifying effect **of the sacrament (Communion),…”
So the logic of this line suggests that at least imperfect contrition is a necessary condition for attaining the host.
As to the other question, I think that that line implies the opposite (that contrition is not requisite to have the Eucharist (unless one counts the contrition needed to go to confession).
I think the answer to the second question is yes.It appears that the part quoted is very narrow and perhaps a greater context is needed to make a more full and accurate assessment. Do you have a link to the appropriate page that we may read more fully?
As to the need for contrition, at the beginnig of mass, we confess and ask forgiveness. When you do this are you contrite?
Peace
James
OK. Then if you are truly contrite during the penitential portion of the mass, any venial sins you have are forgiven and you may receive communion.I think the answer to the second question is yes.
As for the whole statement, I did read it fully, and it seems that contrition part is this:
“In spite of the principles just laid down, the question might be asked, if the Blessed Sacrament could not at times per accidens free the communicant from mortal sin, if he approached the Table of the Lord unconscious of the sinful state of his soul. Presupposing what is self-evident, that there is question neither of a conscious sacrilegious Communion nor a lack of imperfect contrition (attritio), which would altogether hinder the justifying effect of the sacrament, theologians incline to the opinion, that in such exceptional cases the Eucharist can restore the soul to the state of grace, but all without exception deny the possibility of the reviviscence of a sacrilegious or unfruitful Communion after the restoration of the soul’s proper moral condition has been effected, the Eucharist being different in this respect from the sacraments which imprint a character upon the soul (baptism, confirmation, and Holy orders).”
Do you know what the part from, “but all without exception deny…” means? It doesn’t have much to do with the original question I suppose but I am just curious.
Thanks for the clarification. I would still like a link if you could supply it so that I could review it myself.thanks again for the replies
newadvent.org/cathen/05584a.htmIf I may ask, What do you consider to be “perfect contrition”? I think it might be helpful to the conversation if we knew how you see or define perfect and imperfect contrition.
The Catholic Encyclopedia defines perfect and imperfect contrition as:
Catholic teaching distinguishes a twofold hatred of sin; one, perfect contrition, rises from the love of God Who has been grievously offended; the other, imperfect contrition, arises principally from some other motives, such as loss of heaven, fear of hell, the heinousness of sin, etc. (Council of Trent, Sess. XIV, ch. iv de Contritione).
Does this fit with how you are defining perfect and imperfect contrition?
Peace
James
I think I understand what you are saying here abut the conscious effort needed.newadvent.org/cathen/05584a.htm
Yeah.
The thing is, perfect contrition seems to be a conscious willing but imperfect contrition is almost second nature (for me at least). So that means that I must be conscious to have a perfect contrition the next time I go for communion -that’s why the question bears such importance.
No. This has been adequately demonstrated by the Church teaching that has been presented. Being in the state of grace does not require perfect contrition. A good confession of mortal sin is all that is required if one has committed mortal sin. One who only is in venial sin is still in the state of grace needed to properly receive communion.So would you be so bold as to say that perfect contrition is needed in communion?
No - Not in the sense that perfect contrition is defined.So would you be so bold as to say that perfect contrition is needed in communion?