Does saying an Act of Contrition make it okay to receive the Holy Eucharist before going to Confession?

  • Thread starter Thread starter jas84173
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
J

jas84173

Guest
I am just curious, for Lent I have been striving to live a life of chastity, however I have messes up on occasion yet have come a long way. But anyways the priest I usually see for confession ; I asked him the other day if I could make a confession because I want to receive the Holy Eucharist on Holy Thursday yet we don’t have Confessions now until following Stations of the Cross on Good Friday; and I assume he knows what I want to confess, I called to try to make a quick private appointment for a confession and he just told me he’s really busy and saying an Act of Contrition is fine until I can go to confession on Friday. Don’t get me wrong, he is an amazing priest however at times I feel like he is to easy going on this. Can anyone give me an answer? Like does saying an Act of Contrition make it okay to receive the Holy Eucharist? God knows I’m trying to live a chaste life but I went from basically viewing pornography and self pleasure on a daily basis since I was a teenager, so 15 years; and for Lent I just gave it up and struggled much in the beginning but have been learning to cope, but I did slip into temptation Sunday and I feel terrible about it. What should I do?
 
From the Code of Canon Law:
Canon 916 A person who is conscious of grave sin is not to celebrate Mass or receive the body of the Lord without previous sacramental confession unless there is a grave reason and there is no opportunity to confess; in this case the person is to remember the obligation to make an act of perfect contrition which includes the resolution of confessing as soon as possible. (source)
 
From the Code of Canon Law:
Canon 916 A person who is conscious of grave sin is not to celebrate Mass or receive the body of the Lord without previous sacramental confession unless there is a grave reason and there is no opportunity to confess; in this case the person is to remember the obligation to make an act of perfect contrition which includes the resolution of confessing as soon as possible. (source)
Actually, this is not relevant to the OP. He is not 'celebrating ’ Mass. He is not a priest. The Canon Law you quote is applicable to a priest. The OP is ‘attending’ Mass.
 
I am just curious, for Lent I have been striving to live a life of chastity, however I have messes up on occasion yet have come a long way. But anyways the priest I usually see for confession ; I asked him the other day if I could make a confession because I want to receive the Holy Eucharist on Holy Thursday yet we don’t have Confessions now until following Stations of the Cross on Good Friday; and I assume he knows what I want to confess, I called to try to make a quick private appointment for a confession and he just told me he’s really busy and saying an Act of Contrition is fine until I can go to confession on Friday. Don’t get me wrong, he is an amazing priest however at times I feel like he is to easy going on this. Can anyone give me an answer? Like does saying an Act of Contrition make it okay to receive the Holy Eucharist? God knows I’m trying to live a chaste life but I went from basically viewing pornography and self pleasure on a daily basis since I was a teenager, so 15 years; and for Lent I just gave it up and struggled much in the beginning but have been learning to cope, but I did slip into temptation Sunday and I feel terrible about it. What should I do?
If you are in a state of mortal sin you are NOT permitted to receive Communion until you have been to Confession and it makes no different if you make an act of imperfect or perfect contrition (the latter only helps if you die before getting to Confession).
 
Actually, this is not relevant to the OP. He is not 'celebrating ’ Mass. He is not a priest. The Canon Law you quote is applicable to a priest. The OP is ‘attending’ Mass.
The cannon says “celebrate OR receive.”

And as for the issue, I’m not going to contradict a priest myself, but I’m also not going to affirm him since I don’t have the knowledge to do so.
 
From the Code of Canon Law:
Canon 916 there is no opportunity to confess; in this case the person is to remember the obligation to make an act of perfect contrition which includes the resolution of confessing as soon as possible. (source)
Doesn’t this statement in it make it okay? Like I say an Act of Contrition, and tell God I will confess as soon as possible?
 
Doesn’t this statement in it make it okay? Like I say an Act of Contrition, and tell God I will confess as soon as possible?
What’s your “grave reason” on this? or the “no opportunity to confess”?

I think if you were shipping out to a war zone where you wouldn’t be seeing a priest or hearing mass for 6 months or something, that might be what the canon is considering here.
 
I would encourage you to listen to your priest and not to wise guys on the Internet.

Another consideration here is that if you have a habitual sin against which you are struggling, then slip-ups may not meet the criteria for “deliberate consent” and thus may not be mortal sins. Of course you should still confess them, but if you didn’t deliberately decide, “what the heck–I don’t care about this chastity business any more,” and if you are sorry for the slip-ups, I believe that many priests would say that you can go ahead and receive.

Note: obviously if you say, “well, I have a habitual problem so I can just indulge in it and still receive,” you would be engaging in deliberate consent and thus it would be a mortal sin.

Also, please understand that I have no authority to pronounce on this. I’m a layperson about to be received into full communion. I confessed last Saturday and am striving to avoid sin and the near occasions of sin so I don’t have to go running back to the priest before I’m even received into the Church! I’m with you in the trenches here, sharing what I’ve heard that has been helpful to me.

I think it’s generally a bad idea to second-guess your priest. Scrupulosity is a real problem among serious Catholics. The Church is there for a reason–to deliver us from the prison of our own subjectivity.

Edwin
 
Doesn’t this statement in it make it okay? Like I say an Act of Contrition, and tell God I will confess as soon as possible?
The Catechism also notes:

1457 According to the Church’s command, “after having attained the age of discretion, each of the faithful is bound by an obligation faithfully to confess serious sins at least once a year.” Anyone who is aware of having committed a mortal sin must not receive Holy Communion, even if he experiences deep contrition, without having first received sacramental absolution, unless he has a grave reason for receiving Communion and there is no possibility of going to confession. Children must go to the sacrament of Penance before receiving Holy Communion for the first time.

No it does not make it “ok”.

Such is not for normal situations.

But for certain exceptions where there is a “grave reason” and the other aspects are met that is outlined in the code.

Normally one MUST not receive if one has fallen (committed) into a mortal sin (is guilty of it…grave matter, full knowledge and deliberate consent). (there also can be times when such serious guilt is not present -one would discuss with ones regular confessor who can guide one in such a time-- see the Catechism too on that matter 2352 scborromeo.org/ccc/p3s2c2a6.htm#II).
 
The Catechism also notes:

1457 According to the Church’s command, “after having attained the age of discretion, each of the faithful is bound by an obligation faithfully to confess serious sins at least once a year.” Anyone who is aware of having committed a mortal sin must not receive Holy Communion, even if he experiences deep contrition, without having first received sacramental absolution, unless he has a grave reason for receiving Communion and there is no possibility of going to confession. Children must go to the sacrament of Penance before receiving Holy Communion for the first time.

No it does not make it “ok”.

Such is not for normal situations.

But for certain exceptions where there is a “grave reason” and the other aspects are met that is outlined in the code.

Normally one MUST not receive if one has fallen (committed) into a mortal sin (is guilty of it…grave matter, full knowledge and deliberate consent). (there also can be times when such serious guilt is not present -one would discuss with ones regular confessor who can guide one in such a time-- see the Catechism too on that matter 2352 scborromeo.org/ccc/p3s2c2a6.htm#II).
PS: from the Compendium issued by Pope Benedict XVI
**
291. What is required to receive Holy Communion?**

1385-1389
1415

To receive Holy Communion one must be fully incorporated into the Catholic Church and be in the state of grace, that is, not conscious of being in mortal sin. Anyone who is conscious of having committed a grave sin must first receive the sacrament of Reconciliation before going to Communion. Also important for those receiving Holy Communion are a spirit of recollection and prayer, observance of the fast prescribed by the Church, and an appropriate disposition of the body (gestures and dress) as a sign of respect for Christ.

305. When is a person obliged to confess mortal sins?

1457

Each of the faithful who has reached the age of discretion is bound to confess his or her mortal sins at least once a year and always before receiving Holy Communion.

vatican.va/archive/compendium_ccc/documents/archive_2005_compendium-ccc_en.html
 
Yes an appointment is good. But bear in mind that given that it is Holy Week - Confession can even be scheduled more often this week too (in my Parish it is almost every day). And Cathedrals and Shrines and Monasteries too have Confession.

One can also try to ask the Priest say right after a daily Mass (one would not receive Communion though) and then after confession ask him if he can give you Holy Communion.

Know that Jesus loves you -do not give up but keep following!

Let us remember Jesus of Nazareth is The Lamb and the Good Shepherd …

“Jesus is called the Lamb: He is the Lamb who takes away the sin of the world. Someone might think: but how can a lamb, which is so weak, a weak little lamb, how can it take away so many sins, so much wickedness? With Love. With his meekness. Jesus never ceased being a lamb: meek, good, full of love, close to the little ones, close to the poor. He was there, among the people, healing everyone, teaching, praying. Jesus, so weak, like a lamb. However, he had the strength to take all our sins upon himself, all of them.
“But, Father, you don’t know my life: I have a sin that…, I can’t even carry it with a truck…”.
Many times, when we examine our conscience, we find some there that are truly bad! But he carries them. He came for this: to forgive, to make peace in the world, but first in the heart. Perhaps each one of us feels troubled in his heart, perhaps he experiences darkness in his heart, perhaps he feels a little sad over a fault… He has come to take away all of this, He gives us peace, he forgives everything. “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away sin”: he takes away sin, it’s root and all! This is salvation Jesus brings about by his love and his meekness. And in listening to what John the Baptist says, who bears witness to Jesus as the Saviour, our confidence in Jesus should grow. Many times we trust a doctor: it is good, because the doctor is there to cure us; we trust in a person: brothers and sisters can help us. It is good to have this human trust among ourselves. But we forget about trust in the Lord: this is the key to success in life. Trust in the Lord, let us trust in the Lord! “Lord, look at my life: I’m in the dark, I have this struggle, I have this sin…”; everything we have: “Look at this: I trust in you!”. And this is a risk we must take: to trust in Him, and He never disappoints.”

~Pope Francis

vatican.va/holy_father/francesco/homilies/2014/documents/papa-francesco_20140119_omelia-parrocchia-sacro-cuore-gesu_en.html

"Jesus is the “Good Shepherd” who goes in search of lost sheep, who knows his sheep and lays down his life for them (cf. Mt 18:12-14; Lk 15:4-7; Jn 10:2-4, 11-18). He is the way, the right path that leads us to life (cf. Jn 14:6), the light that illuminates the dark valley and overcomes all our fears (cf. Jn 1:9; 8:12; 9:5; 12:46).

He is the generous host who welcomes us and rescues us from our enemies, preparing for us the table of his body and his blood (cf. Mt 26:26-29; Mk 14:22-25); Lk 22:19-20) and the definitive table of the messianic banquet in Heaven (cf. Lk 14:15ff; Rev 3:20; 19:9). He is the Royal Shepherd, king in docility and in forgiveness, enthroned on the glorious wood of the cross (cf. Jn 3:13-15; 12:32; 17:4-5)."

~Pope Benedict XVI

vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/audiences/2011/documents/hf_ben-xvi_aud_20111005_en.html

"I invite all Christians, everywhere, at this very moment, to a renewed personal encounter with Jesus Christ, or at least an openness to letting him encounter them; I ask all of you to do this unfailingly each day. No one should think that this invitation is not meant for him or her, since “no one is excluded from the joy brought by the Lord”.[1] The Lord does not disappoint those who take this risk; whenever we take a step towards Jesus, we come to realize that he is already there, waiting for us with open arms.

Now is the time to say to Jesus: “Lord, I have let myself be deceived; in a thousand ways I have shunned your love, yet here I am once more, to renew my covenant with you. I need you. Save me once again, Lord, take me once more into your redeeming embrace”. How good it feels to come back to him whenever we are lost!

Let me say this once more: God never tires of forgiving us; we are the ones who tire of seeking his mercy.

Christ, who told us to forgive one another “seventy times seven” (Mt 18:22) has given us his example: he has forgiven us seventy times seven. Time and time again he bears us on his shoulders.

No one can strip us of the dignity bestowed upon us by this boundless and unfailing love. With a tenderness which never disappoints, but is always capable of restoring our joy, he makes it possible for us to lift up our heads and to start anew. Let us not flee from the resurrection of Jesus, let us never give up, come what will. May nothing inspire more than his life, which impels us onwards!"

~ Pope Francis

APOSTOLIC EXHORTATION
EVANGELII GAUDIUM

w2.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/apost_exhortations/documents/papa-francesco_esortazione-ap_20131124_evangelii-gaudium.html#I.%E2%80%82A_joy_ever_new,_a_joy_which_is_shared
 
I think you did not read my whole post (happens to me too sometimes). (I often try to cover that various aspects in my posts (especially since so many read the forums).

You missed this section:
Normally one MUST not receive if one has fallen (committed) into a mortal sin (is guilty of it…grave matter, full knowledge and deliberate consent). (there also can be times when such serious guilt is not present -one would discuss with ones regular confessor who can guide one in such a time-- see the Catechism too on that matter 2352 scborromeo.org/ccc/p3s2c2a6.htm#II).
 
Great readings for all who struggle:

Let us remember Jesus of Nazareth is The Lamb and the Good Shepherd …

“Jesus is called the Lamb: He is the Lamb who takes away the sin of the world. Someone might think: but how can a lamb, which is so weak, a weak little lamb, how can it take away so many sins, so much wickedness? With Love. With his meekness. Jesus never ceased being a lamb: meek, good, full of love, close to the little ones, close to the poor. He was there, among the people, healing everyone, teaching, praying. Jesus, so weak, like a lamb. However, he had the strength to take all our sins upon himself, all of them.
“But, Father, you don’t know my life: I have a sin that…, I can’t even carry it with a truck…”.
Many times, when we examine our conscience, we find some there that are truly bad! But he carries them. He came for this: to forgive, to make peace in the world, but first in the heart. Perhaps each one of us feels troubled in his heart, perhaps he experiences darkness in his heart, perhaps he feels a little sad over a fault… He has come to take away all of this, He gives us peace, he forgives everything. “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away sin”: he takes away sin, it’s root and all! This is salvation Jesus brings about by his love and his meekness. And in listening to what John the Baptist says, who bears witness to Jesus as the Saviour, our confidence in Jesus should grow. Many times we trust a doctor: it is good, because the doctor is there to cure us; we trust in a person: brothers and sisters can help us. It is good to have this human trust among ourselves. But we forget about trust in the Lord: this is the key to success in life. Trust in the Lord, let us trust in the Lord! “Lord, look at my life: I’m in the dark, I have this struggle, I have this sin…”; everything we have: “Look at this: I trust in you!”. And this is a risk we must take: to trust in Him, and He never disappoints.”

~Pope Francis

vatican.va/holy_father/francesco/homilies/2014/documents/papa-francesco_20140119_omelia-parrocchia-sacro-cuore-gesu_en.html

"Jesus is the “Good Shepherd” who goes in search of lost sheep, who knows his sheep and lays down his life for them (cf. Mt 18:12-14; Lk 15:4-7; Jn 10:2-4, 11-18). He is the way, the right path that leads us to life (cf. Jn 14:6), the light that illuminates the dark valley and overcomes all our fears (cf. Jn 1:9; 8:12; 9:5; 12:46).

He is the generous host who welcomes us and rescues us from our enemies, preparing for us the table of his body and his blood (cf. Mt 26:26-29; Mk 14:22-25); Lk 22:19-20) and the definitive table of the messianic banquet in Heaven (cf. Lk 14:15ff; Rev 3:20; 19:9). He is the Royal Shepherd, king in docility and in forgiveness, enthroned on the glorious wood of the cross (cf. Jn 3:13-15; 12:32; 17:4-5)."

~Pope Benedict XVI

vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/audiences/2011/documents/hf_ben-xvi_aud_20111005_en.html

"I invite all Christians, everywhere, at this very moment, to a renewed personal encounter with Jesus Christ, or at least an openness to letting him encounter them; I ask all of you to do this unfailingly each day. No one should think that this invitation is not meant for him or her, since “no one is excluded from the joy brought by the Lord”.[1] The Lord does not disappoint those who take this risk; whenever we take a step towards Jesus, we come to realize that he is already there, waiting for us with open arms.

Now is the time to say to Jesus: “Lord, I have let myself be deceived; in a thousand ways I have shunned your love, yet here I am once more, to renew my covenant with you. I need you. Save me once again, Lord, take me once more into your redeeming embrace”. How good it feels to come back to him whenever we are lost!

Let me say this once more: God never tires of forgiving us; we are the ones who tire of seeking his mercy.

Christ, who told us to forgive one another “seventy times seven” (Mt 18:22) has given us his example: he has forgiven us seventy times seven. Time and time again he bears us on his shoulders.

No one can strip us of the dignity bestowed upon us by this boundless and unfailing love. With a tenderness which never disappoints, but is always capable of restoring our joy, he makes it possible for us to lift up our heads and to start anew. Let us not flee from the resurrection of Jesus, let us never give up, come what will. May nothing inspire more than his life, which impels us onwards!"

~ Pope Francis

APOSTOLIC EXHORTATION
EVANGELII GAUDIUM

w2.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/apost_exhortations/documents/papa-francesco_esortazione-ap_20131124_evangelii-gaudium.html#I.%E2%80%82A_joy_ever_new,_a_joy_which_is_shared
 
Actually, he was apparently told to make an act of contrition, and that on Friday Father will hear his Confession since he can’t do it sooner. We don’t know if the OP was told he could also receive Holy Communion on Holy Thursday. That piece of information has been assumed.

I would also add, in humility, that Confessors are not infallible, and we do have a right to ensure that we are being given good, solid information. Sometimes, alas, Confessors do hold to some squishy moral theology. Finding a good Confessor is not always easy.
 
Actually, he was apparently told to make an act of contrition, and that on Friday Father will hear his Confession since he can’t do it sooner. We don’t know if the OP was told he could also receive Holy Communion on Holy Thursday. That piece of information has been assumed.
Yes you have a point.
I asked him the other day if I could make a confession because I want to receive the Holy Eucharist on Holy Thursday"
He does not note there if he* told *the Priest that it was because he wanted to go to Holy Communion on Holy Thursday.

The “because I want to receive” could have been his *interior *intention but one that was not expressed to his confessor. Many Catholics do not attend the whole Triduum. Such is not quite clear there.

And of of course are not privy to the discussion of the Confessor with his Penitent or what has been discussed in the past.

Ummm…difficult it is …to respond sometimes to certain questions in a forum (to quote Yoda).
 
Ya I see both senses it could have been taken (from your post and the other prior)- it could be read that way or it could have been that the OP did not tell his regular confessor he wanted to go to Holy Communion on Thursday -but that was just an unexpressed interior intention. Many Catholics do not go to the whole Triduum. (We also do not know what has been discussed by him and his confessor in the past.)

ummmm difficult it is -to know at times on a forum (to quote Yoda).
 
Actually, this is not relevant to the OP. He is not 'celebrating ’ Mass. He is not a priest. The Canon Law you quote is applicable to a priest. The OP is ‘attending’ Mass.
From the USCCB’s Guidelines for the Reception of Communion, included in missalettes and other participation aides in the United States:
FOR CATHOLICS
As Catholics, we fully participate in the celebration of the Eucharist when we receive Holy Communion. We are encouraged to receive Communion devoutly and frequently. In order to be properly disposed to receive Communion, participants should not be conscious of grave sin and normally should have fasted for one hour. A person who is conscious of grave sin is not to receive the Body and Blood of the Lord without prior sacramental confession except for a grave reason where there is no opportunity for confession. In this case, the person is to be mindful of the obligation to make an act of perfect contrition, including the intention of confessing as soon as possible (canon 916). A frequent reception of the Sacrament of Penance is encouraged for all.
 
“Jesus is called the Lamb: He is the Lamb who takes away the sin of the world. Someone might think: but how can a lamb, which is so weak, a weak little lamb, how can it take away so many sins, so much wickedness? With Love. With his meekness. Jesus never ceased being a lamb: meek, good, full of love, close to the little ones, close to the poor. He was there, among the people, healing everyone, teaching, praying. Jesus, so weak, like a lamb. However, he had the strength to take all our sins upon himself, all of them.
“But, Father, you don’t know my life: I have a sin that…, I can’t even carry it with a truck…”.
Many times, when we examine our conscience, we find some there that are truly bad! But he carries them. He came for this: to forgive, to make peace in the world, but first in the heart. Perhaps each one of us feels troubled in his heart, perhaps he experiences darkness in his heart, perhaps he feels a little sad over a fault… He has come to take away all of this, He gives us peace, he forgives everything. “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away sin”: he takes away sin, it’s root and all! This is salvation Jesus brings about by his love and his meekness. And in listening to what John the Baptist says, who bears witness to Jesus as the Saviour, our confidence in Jesus should grow. Many times we trust a doctor: it is good, because the doctor is there to cure us; we trust in a person: brothers and sisters can help us. It is good to have this human trust among ourselves. But we forget about trust in the Lord: this is the key to success in life. Trust in the Lord, let us trust in the Lord! “Lord, look at my life: I’m in the dark, I have this struggle, I have this sin…”; everything we have: “Look at this: I trust in you!”. And this is a risk we must take: to trust in Him, and He never disappoints.”
~Pope Francis
^ This is one of the greatest things I have ever read my entire life! Thanks for passing it on!
 
I have confessed to the priest in an email
that I consider him “in persona Christi” but
have been avoiding my usual daily mass
b/c I have been watching naughty videos
on the internet(not porn) and am afraid of
facing him, I don’t know how to confess
this to him b/c he is quite strict, I HAVE
confessed my watching the videos but
have not confessed missing daily mass,
should I take communion this Friday??
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top