P
PMV
Guest
I recall reading or hearing somewhere that the intention of going to Confession puts one in a state of grace. Is this true?
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T
thistle
Guest
NO! It is not true.
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Pug
Guest
No.
However, it is related to something. In order to have perfect contrition, one must, in addition to other requirements, somehow include an intent to go to confession. A person is in a state of grace upon having perfect contrition for their sins. Do pray for the grace of perfect contrition.
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Quidam
Guest
Just a question: Where does this place people like me?
I’m currently sort of a Protestant (raised that way. My parents, family and friends are all protestants) but I"m thinking about becoming a Catholic. I’m just not entirely sure yet. Get’s trickier because I"m still in highschool, and I have a lot of dedicated Protestants that still feel responsible for me… At any rate, going to confession is currently not possible for me. Partly because of my parents… (we haven’t talked about this much yet, but somehow I don’t think they’ll be thrilled) partly because you have to be confirmed to receive sacraments, right? I guess I"m asking where that leaves me as far as receiving forgiveness. I think if I were in a Catholic church (which is impossible for about the next 6 months) I would go, but for now all I have is personal contrition and hope for mercy.
Is reconciliation a normative requirement? Meaning, if someone would go to confession if possible, but simply cannot, are they still forgiven?
I’m currently sort of a Protestant (raised that way. My parents, family and friends are all protestants) but I"m thinking about becoming a Catholic. I’m just not entirely sure yet. Get’s trickier because I"m still in highschool, and I have a lot of dedicated Protestants that still feel responsible for me… At any rate, going to confession is currently not possible for me. Partly because of my parents… (we haven’t talked about this much yet, but somehow I don’t think they’ll be thrilled) partly because you have to be confirmed to receive sacraments, right? I guess I"m asking where that leaves me as far as receiving forgiveness. I think if I were in a Catholic church (which is impossible for about the next 6 months) I would go, but for now all I have is personal contrition and hope for mercy.
Is reconciliation a normative requirement? Meaning, if someone would go to confession if possible, but simply cannot, are they still forgiven?
P
Pug
Guest
Quidam,
Welcome to the boards! And no, you do not have to be confirmed to receive the sacrament of confession. You have to be baptized, however. Someone preparing to join the Catholic Church would typically receive the sacrament of confession before the sacrament of confirmation at your age.
God’s grace is not restricted by the sacraments. A person in your situation can be forgiven. Hypothetically, say you sin and charity leaves your heart (and also grace departs). God can restore charity and grace to your heart himself, whenever. What I said about perfect contrition, well, the other requirement is that God place charity in the person’s heart so that they are restored to life and sanctifying grace, and so the person is sorry on account of love of God. So one can pray for this gift. And why I said “somehow” intend to go to confession, well, that covers people who can’t go or don’t know of it’s existence, but would go out of obedience to God if they could/knew.
Do not worry. God knows your situtation. Strive to love him and to pray. It is true Catholics have a way to easily hook up with knowing God has forgiven them, and it makes it easier for us, but God hasn’t forgotten his people in your situation. You can be forgiven in your situation.
Hope that is clear.
J
Joe_Gloor
Guest
Quidam,
I might add, since Pug mentioned baptism and you might not know, the Catholic Church recognizes the baptisms performed by most protestant churches as valid. Being protestant you have probably been baptised validly. If you remember how it went you will know it was valid if the minister baptised you in what is known as the ‘trinitarian forumula’ which is “I baptise you in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Sprit”.
Even so, you cannot receive the sacrament of confession until you actually join the Church or if your life is in immediate peril.
I might add, since Pug mentioned baptism and you might not know, the Catholic Church recognizes the baptisms performed by most protestant churches as valid. Being protestant you have probably been baptised validly. If you remember how it went you will know it was valid if the minister baptised you in what is known as the ‘trinitarian forumula’ which is “I baptise you in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Sprit”.
Even so, you cannot receive the sacrament of confession until you actually join the Church or if your life is in immediate peril.
P
palmas85
Guest
Somehow, somewhere somebody came up with the theory that if you make a perfect act of contrition you don’t have to go to reconciliation or confession anymore…
NOT TRUE You still have to go to reconciliation or confession.
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