Does the Church Still teach that you must go to confession before you recieve communion?

[Anthony2112]

I’ve reaffrimed my Catholic faith after 20 years attending evangelical churches or not attending at all. When I used to attend Mass, not everyone at Mass received communion. Some who had not had a chance to go to confession asked for a blessing or prayed silently. Last night I went to a Mass where everyone but one person walked up to receive communion (except little children). This church has one confession on Saturday and confession by appointment. It took me three weeks to manage to find a priest who could make an appointment, at least for me. My mother, who goes to this church tells me that on a typical Saturday, maybe 20-30 parishioners ask for Confession.

This is a very affluent church and the atmoshere before the mass reminded me of a social gathering. Lots of gossip and loud “how’s business!!??!!” Maybe I am being judgmental, but I am used to quiet solemnity before Mass.

It appears to me that this congregation does not believe you need to confess your sins before Mass. Please point out I am wrong. I hate feeling judgmental like this.

 

[peter26]

You don’t have to go to confession before ever time you receive no. Only when in a state of mortal sin, and a minimum of once a year regardless during Lent. Many sources would recommend that you aim for once a month at least however. But asides from the Lent Obligation, it is only obligatory when in a state of mortal sin. So how often you have to go depends on how good you are at avoiding sin.

 

[Anthony2112]

You don’t have to go to confession before ever time you receive no. Only when in a state of mortal sin, and a minimum of once a year regardless during Lent. Many sources would recommend that you aim for once a month at least however. But asides from the Lent Obligation, it is only obligatory when in a state of mortal sin. So how often you have to go depends on how good you are at avoiding sin.

Good point. I hope this question does not offend anyone

Immaculate Conception downtown has a long line of Confessors every day. I am a single guy and my eyes tend to wander. I find myself confessing before every mass.

 

[OraLabora]

Only when you are conscious of grave sin.

 

[peter26]

I’d read up on what exactly constitutes a grave matter. “Wandering eyes” is venial and does not in itself need to be confessed.

 

[Anthony2112]

I’d read up on what exactly constitutes a grave matter. “Wandering eyes” is venial and does not in itself need to be confessed.

Understood. I guess the point is does wondering eyes constitute lust? I don’t know. Sometimes it does I think.

 

[Bookcat]

I’d read up on what exactly constitutes a grave matter. “Wandering eyes” is venial and does not in itself need to be confessed.

It depends on what one means. I am not saying the OP is saying he is doing this but I note for some readers that for example - looking in order to lust is grave. But yes it can be that such a phrase refers to venial sins (it may be also not sinful…again depends what one means…) which can be what you suggest the OP is referring to.

A Confessor can guide one.

A person who sins venially can desire to confess weekly too and a person who is seeking to live very purely and modestly can so desire such though it is not necessary per se.

 

[TimothyH]

I’ve reaffrimed my Catholic faith after 20 years attending evangelical churches or not attending at all. When I used to attend Mass, not everyone at Mass received communion. Some who had not had a chance to go to confession asked for a blessing or prayed silently. Last night I went to a Mass where everyone but one person walked up to receive communion (except little children). This church has one confession on Saturday and confession by appointment. It took me three weeks to manage to find a priest who could make an appointment, at least for me. My mother, who goes to this church tells me that on a typical Saturday, maybe 20-30 parishioners ask for Confession.

This is a very affluent church and the atmoshere before the mass reminded me of a social gathering. Lots of gossip and loud “how’s business!!??!!” Maybe I am being judgmental, but I am used to quiet solemnity before Mass.

It appears to me that this congregation does not believe you need to confess your sins before Mass. Please point out I am wrong. I hate feeling judgmental like this.

Lots of gossip before Mass? How do you know people were gossiping? Maybe people were having ordinary conversations?

With all due respect, someone who left the Catholic faith for two decades and only recently returned really has no business worrying about whether everyone else in the parish is in a state of grace or not.

Luke 18:10-14 please.

-Tim-

 

[Anthony2112]

It depends on what one means. I am not saying the OP is saying he is doing this but I note for some readers that for example - looking in order to lust is grave. But yes it can be that such a phrase refers to venial sins (it may be also not sinful…again depends what one means…) which can be what you suggest the OP is referring to.

A Confessor can guide one.

A person who sins venially can desire to confess weekly too and a person who is seeking to live very purely and modestly can so desire such though it is not necessary per se.

Sometimes it is lust, sometimes it isn’t. I try not to dwell on it as much as possible. But I am single…

 

[KD8TZC]

Understood. I guess the point is does wondering eyes constitute lust? I don’t know. Sometimes it does I think.

Remember, there are three conditions that make an act a mortal sin:

1. An act of grave matter that is…
2. Committed with full knowledge and…
3. Deliberate consent.

All three conditions must be met for it to be a mortal sin. If one condition is seriously lacking, it’s not mortal — it’s considered a venial sin. (See the Catechism’s section on mortal sin, numbers 1854-1864)

As others have said though, I would talk with your confessor about this.

God bless,

John

 

[Anthony2112]

Lots of gossip before Mass? How do you know people were gossiping? Maybe people were having ordinary conversations?
**
With all due respect, someone who left the Catholic faith for two decades and only recently returned really has no business worrying about whether everyone else in the parish is in a state of grace or not. **

Luke 18:10-14 please.

-Tim-

I heard gossip. I was listening.

What does this (the bolded) have to do with anything? Please explain. You sound kind of angry I asked the question.

I am trying to pick a parish, so I want to pick one where my spiritual needs will be fulfilled. Which is why I asked the question. I also said I felt bad feeling this way.

 

[ProVobis]

To the OP: I’m on your side on this.

There’s at least one group that considers it a “decadent Western practice of not having confession before communion” and “is not justified.”

orthodoxengland.org.uk/confessio.htm

First of all, some make out that confession and communion are in no way linked. This is true only in the sense that you can have confession at any time, without necessarily taking communion afterwards. However, those new to the Faith (especially those from Anglicanism, where the sacrament of confession is virtually inexistent – which is increasingly the case in Catholicism) commonly believe in the myth that confession is not necessary before communion. This is false.

It does not matter which Local Orthodox Church you belong to: Confession is the norm before communion and it is not limited to just the Russian, Romanian, Serbian and Bulgarian Churches (90% of all Orthodox). The bad habit of some Greeks, especially in the Diaspora, who have over the last forty years or so fallen into the decadent Western practice of not having confession before communion and adopted by those who do not know any better, is not justified. Just because some have fallen into bad habits, this does not mean that they are to be aped. Communion without confession is NOT the Orthodox norm anywhere.

{more}

 

[Anthony2112]

To the OP: I’m on your side on this.

There’s at least one group that considers it a “decadent Western practice of not having confession before communion” and “is not justified.”

orthodoxengland.org.uk/confessio.htm

Thanks. I really don’t want to be “right” about this, I just want to have the right attitude.
Having said that this Church reminded me of Evangelical Churches I’ve gone to where the focus was on entertainment rather than worship. Maybe by saying that I have answered my own question.

 

[SyroMalankara]

To the OP: I’m on your side on this.

There’s at least one group that considers it a “decadent Western practice of not having confession before communion” and “is not justified.”

orthodoxengland.org.uk/confessio.htm

I wish that this were an accurate statement limited to the “decadent West”, however this Orthodox writer must be in denial if he thinks that all Orthodox always have an appropriate confession. As one that knows more about the Oriental practices, I can say with certainty, that although an individual confession is the “norm”, in practice, the Syriac, Malankara and Armenian Orthodox do a general confession reciting/repeating the words written in the books (normally the prayer that is supposed to be recited privately before and after individual confession) and receive absolution prior to communion. Some priests insert this within the Liturgy, asking those receiving to stand up and recite and/or during the morning prayer prior to Divine Liturgy.

 

[ProVobis]

I wish that this were an accurate statement limited to the “decadent West”, however this Orthodox writer must be in denial if he thinks that all Orthodox always have an appropriate confession. As one that knows more about the Oriental practices, I can say with certainty, that although an individual confession is the “norm”, in practice, the Syriac, Malankara and Armenian Orthodox do a general confession reciting/repeating the words written in the books (normally the prayer that is supposed to be recited privately before and after individual confession) and receive absolution prior to communion. Some priests insert this within the Liturgy, asking those receiving to stand up and recite and/or during the morning prayer prior to Divine Liturgy.

Interesting. Thanks. I’d like to know a little more about this. It seems to be divided among cultures, as Polish or Spanish Masses, for example, have blocks of people who remain in the seats during communion, perhaps 50% of the congregation.

 

[Anthony2112]

I think of myself as a good person, but I know in my heart I sin a lot. We all do. That’s why Christ justified us.

I did not mean for this to turn into an argument, but from the way I was taught, we ought to go to confession before we receive communion unless we are in a state of grace.

 

[Windmill]

Anthony,

First off: Welcome home!!! If there’s one thing the Church needs more of, it’s spiritually-minded Evangelical converts. May your spiritual life be filled with many victories and blessings.

Now, to your question: Yes, if you have mortal sin on your soul you must receive sacramental Confession prior to receiving Holy Communion. Unfortunately, many parishioners nowadays have not been taught what mortal sin even is. Without a realization for the need for Confession, most will drift away from confessing. The problem is rampant. However, the Pope and clergy have realized this and started heavily promoting the reception of this sacrament. It is going to take a long time to undo the lack of catechesis in the laity on the need for confession, but it is already begun. Rome wasn’t built in a day.

Maybe you could volunteer at your parish to help with adult faith formation in some way. They are always looking for teachers. This would give you a constructive way to bring souls back to confession.

 

[smead2942]

Yes, that is still Church teaching. One cannot receive Holy Communion in a state of mortal sin, so for those of us guilty of mortal sins, confession is necessary. Religious education is pitiful at best. It all comes down to a lack of faith in the Real Presence. If no one believes that they are truly receiving the Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity in Christ, why would they bother with confession? Luckily, the old Spirit of Vatican II hippies are declining, and orthodoxy is slowly returning with young people.

You are absolutely right to generalize that most people don’t go to confession regularly, and not to be judgmental, but I highly doubt 95% of the Catholic population is always saintly.

 

[thistle]

I heard gossip. ** I was listening.**

What does this (the bolded) have to do with anything? Please explain. You sound kind of angry I asked the question.

I am trying to pick a parish, so I want to pick one where my spiritual needs will be fulfilled. Which is why I asked the question. I also said I felt bad feeling this way.

You shouldn’t have been listening.

 

[paperwight66]

You are absolutely right to generalize that most people don’t go to confession regularly, and not to be judgmental, but I highly doubt 95% of the Catholic population is always saintly.

You don’t think there can be a middle ground between being in a state of mortal sin and being saintly?

I doubt if anyone in the average congregation would claim to be saintly, but I’m sure they wouldn’t be in mortal sin necessarily either.

Most people, in my experience, just plod along, trying to keep a roof over their heads, to look after their family and to be kind to their neighbours and those in need when they can.