Dying in mortal sin-straight to hell?

[zaida]

forgive me for putting so many posts on lately - its just Im reading as much as I can about the RC faith and have so many questions…

this terrifies me! If one dies in mortal sin and hasnt confessed, they go straight to Hell (eternity without God…)? And yet, when I read the list of mortal sins, I think they included “extreme envy” (or some such), and one web site said “lust”? If these two things are part of mortal sin, hands up, I struggle with them all the time, lol! I might end up confessing, and on my way back out of the Church find myself in mortal sin again!

Am I misunderstanding this?

 

[zaida]

sorry gang - Ive just realized this very subject has recently been discussed on a forum - I did a search and found it! Learned about “act of contritions”, etc…the posts were very helpful, and I have a better idea of whats meant by “mortal sin” (though not a complete idea…anyway sorry to bring up a long discussed subject!

 

[puzzleannie]

this terrifies me! If one dies in mortal sin and hasnt confessed, they go straight to Hell (eternity without God…)? ?

one who dies without repenting of mortal sin chooses hell. At death we come face to face with God in the particular judgment and are given full knowledge of our sins and the consequences of choosing the sin or choosing God. Those who cling to the sin lose God by their own choice and are eternally in hell. yes the things you mention can be mortally sinful under the usual conditions–grave matter, full knowledge and full free will intention and consent to commit mortal sin.

If you are like the rest of us Catholics yes, you will find yourself back in the condition of sin more than once after baptism, and rejoice in the opportunity to be completely absolved and cleansed in sacramental confession.

 

[Dorothy]

Remember that temptation to sin is not sin if you reject it.

 

[Yehuda_Dion]

No, dying in mortal sin doesn’t send you straight to hell, you pass through a judgment first. If you haven’t confessed your sins at the hour of death but have perfect contrition for your sins and have been meaning to go to a confession, this is acceptable to God and He will forgive (source: Dialogue of Saint Catherine of Siena). What he won’t forgive is if you haven’t confessed, and are deliberately delaying your confession on account of wanting to confess only when you think you are close to death out of fear, shame, laziness etc. This is unacceptable delay and He won’t forgive.

 

[Deo_Gratias42]

No, dying in mortal sin doesn’t send you straight to hell, you pass through a judgment first. If you haven’t confessed your sins at the hour of death but have perfect contrition for your sins and have been meaning to go to a confession, this is acceptable to God and He will forgive (source: Dialogue of Saint Catherine of Siena). What he won’t forgive is if you haven’t confessed, and are deliberately delaying your confession on account of wanting to confess only when you think you are close to death out of fear, shame, laziness etc. This is unacceptable delay and He won’t forgive.

Be advised that “perfect contrition” means that one is sorry for their sins SOLELY because they offend God. Perfect Contrition Does Not Grow on Trees. It is exceptionally rare.

Our priest just preached on this two weeks ago. All it takes is one unconfessed mortal sin to condemn us to Hell. When we get there we will have no one to blame but ourselves.

 

[maplebug55]

Be advised that “perfect contrition” means that one is sorry for their sins SOLELY because they offend God. Perfect Contrition Does Not Grow on Trees. It is exceptionally rare.

Our priest just preached on this two weeks ago. All it takes is one unconfessed mortal sin to condemn us to Hell. When we get there we will have no one to blame but ourselves.

I wish I could more about this topic but I am afraid I would be banned.

 

[dailey]

I wish I could more about this topic but I am afraid I would be banned.

Why would you be banned? Speak!

 

[dailey]

Be advised that “perfect contrition” means that one is sorry for their sins SOLELY because they offend God. Perfect Contrition Does Not Grow on Trees. It is exceptionally rare.

Our priest just preached on this two weeks ago. All it takes is one unconfessed mortal sin to condemn us to Hell. When we get there we will have no one to blame but ourselves.

Very good point. Perfect contrition is rare indeed…

 

[YoungTradCath]

No, dying in mortal sin doesn’t send you straight to hell, you pass through a judgment first. If you haven’t confessed your sins at the hour of death but have perfect contrition for your sins and have been meaning to go to a confession, this is acceptable to God and He will forgive (source: Dialogue of Saint Catherine of Siena). What he won’t forgive is if you haven’t confessed, and are deliberately delaying your confession on account of wanting to confess only when you think you are close to death out of fear, shame, laziness etc. This is unacceptable delay and He won’t forgive.

One has to be alive to make an act of perfect contrition. So… yeah.

 

[Wolniewicz]

Be advised that “perfect contrition” means that one is sorry for their sins SOLELY because they offend God. Perfect Contrition Does Not Grow on Trees. It is exceptionally rare.

Our priest just preached on this two weeks ago. All it takes is one unconfessed mortal sin to condemn us to Hell. When we get there we will have no one to blame but ourselves.

But if you go to confession and confess everything you can, and hold nothing back. If you had forgotten about one mortal sin to confess its still forgiven in confession. (because not all older aged converts are able to remember it all for their first general confession) I guess for the OP I just want to clarify for them that it takes one purposely avoided and purposely unconfessed mortal sin to send one to hell. Not one mortal sin that is forgotten, and only the person and God trully know whether an unconfessed sin is forgotten or wthheld.

 

[thomas_jd]

forgive me for putting so many posts on lately - its just Im reading as much as I can about the RC faith and have so many questions…

this terrifies me! If one dies in mortal sin and hasnt confessed, they go straight to Hell (eternity without God…)? And yet, when I read the list of mortal sins, I think they included “extreme envy” (or some such), and one web site said “lust”? If these two things are part of mortal sin, hands up, I struggle with them all the time, lol! I might end up confessing, and on my way back out of the Church find myself in mortal sin again!

Am I misunderstanding this?

Yes you do not understand mortal sin yet. I don’t think this web site is the place to learn .
I would not, under any circumstances go to bed with a mortal sin on my conscience!

 

[Luvtosew]

thomas,
do you mean you’d say an act of contrition, say if it were M-F, we only have confession here on Sat afternoon.

 

[Deo_Gratias42]

thomas,
do you mean you’d say an act of contrition, say if it were M-F, we only have confession here on Sat afternoon.

If you have committed a mortal sin, simply reciting an Act of Contrition will not restore you back into good standing.

You would need to make a Perfect Act of Contrition, with the intent to confess ASAP. In order for it to be Perfect Contrition, you must solely and truly be contrite because you offended God. Based on this thread being about avoiding going to Hell, I would highly doubt reciting an Act of Contrition would be considered Perfect Contrition. Perfect Contrition is exceptionally rare. IMHO, I would not rely on it. Don’t commit mortal sins (you can’t simply fall into mortal sin.), and make frequent use of Confession.

BTW: Even the Act of Contrition that’s recited for Perfect Contrition is different from the one said in confession, which expresses both contrition and attrition.

For perfect contrition the Act of Contrition used is:

O my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended thee, and I detest all my sins because they offend thee my God, who art all good and deserving of all my love. I firmly resolve with the help of thy grace, to confess my sins, amend my life, and to never sin again.

 

[MarkThompson]

forgive me for putting so many posts on lately - its just Im reading as much as I can about the RC faith and have so many questions…

this terrifies me! If one dies in mortal sin and hasnt confessed, they go straight to Hell (eternity without God…)? And yet, when I read the list of mortal sins, I think they included “extreme envy” (or some such), and one web site said “lust”? If these two things are part of mortal sin, hands up, I struggle with them all the time, lol! I might end up confessing, and on my way back out of the Church find myself in mortal sin again!

Am I misunderstanding this?

Well, just remember the comforting words of Jesus: “Many are called, most are chosen.” “For wide is the gate and the broad is the way that leads to life, and there are many who find it.”

Hmm, maybe I’m not remembering those exactly right …

 

[mdgspencer]

I think you should go to your parish priest to discuss this. You need good advice, from an orthodox priest.
The same sort of sin can be venial or mortal, for example, envy. A person for example must have full knowledge and complete consent for a sin to be mortal. In your case the question of complete consent may be relevant. But I won’t try to give guidance on such an important matter for your soul–and with sketchy information.
If someone is guilty of mortal sin, it is easily taken care of by repentance and confession. This is a saying I like–just do it.
But do you really think you would commit a mortal sin as soon as you come out of confession?
Of course, you could always go to confession frequently. The priest at confession doesn’t know who you are and that you just went last week to him or someone else.

 

[thomas_jd]

thomas,
do you mean you’d say an act of contrition, say if it were M-F, we only have confession here on Sat afternoon.

One is not limited to a certain location to confess.
I meant exactly what I said :I would never chance a unexpected death without flying to confession before retiring for the night after committing a mortal sin. Even if that meant waking up a priest.
Every night before retiring one should examine his or her conscience and say a act of contrition. I have said many acts of contrition, yet I think never a perfect one!
" Man is a passing shadow" “A breath” psalm144

 

[Luvtosew]

Thomas you would wake a Priest up to confess a Mortal sin, I do believe one can give an

Act of Contrition, what do you mean by Perfect Act of Contrition?

 

[maplebug55]

Well, just remember the comforting words of Jesus: “Many are called, most are chosen.” “For wide is the gate and the broad is the way that leads to life, and there are many who find it.”

Hmm, maybe I’m not remembering those exactly right …

Most are chosen?

 

[Deo_Gratias42]

Most are chosen?

Few are chosen.

Thomas you would wake a Priest up to confess a Mortal sin, I do believe one can give an

Act of Contrition, what do you mean by Perfect Act of Contrition?

No, you cannot recite an Act of Contrition to restore sanctifying grace. You can attempt to make a Perfect Act of Contrition, but ***Perfect contrition doesn’t grow on trees. It is exceptionally rare. ***

From the Baltimore Catechism:

Q. 764. How many kinds of contrition are there?

A. There are two kinds of contrition; perfect contrition and imperfect contrition.

Q. 765. What is perfect contrition?

A. Perfect contrition is that which fills us with sorrow and hatred for sin, because it offends God, who is infinitely good in Himself and worthy of all love.

Q. 766. When will perfect contrition obtain pardon for mortal sin without the Sacrament of Penance?

A. Perfect contrition will obtain pardon for mortal sin without the Sacrament of Penance when we cannot go to confession, but with the perfect contrition we must have the intention of going to confession as soon as possible, if we again have the opportunity.

Q. 767. What is imperfect contrition?

A. Imperfect contrition is that by which we hate what offends God because by it we lose heaven and deserve hell; or because sin is so hateful in itself.

Q. 768. What other name is given to imperfect contrition and why is it called imperfect?

A. Imperfect contrition is called attrition. It is called imperfect only because it is less perfect than the highest grade of contrition by which we are sorry for sin out of pure love of God’s own goodness and without any consideration of what befalls ourselves.