Eucharist question

[GodsCanary]

Last Sunday my boyfriend stayed behind from communion because he said he “didn’t feel worthy.” He is a new Catholic and I know for a fact (trust me on this one) that he did not commit any mortal sins. Does he have to confess that he stayed behind? Is that a sin?

 

[Tietjen]

Last Sunday my boyfriend stayed behind from communion because he said he “didn’t feel worthy.” He is a new Catholic and I know for a fact (trust me on this one) that he did not commit any mortal sins. Does he have to confess that he stayed behind? Is that a sin?

No, it is not a sin so he does not need to confess.

 

[LilyM]

Firstly you cannot really know any such thing. One can sin mortally in thought as well as in deed (remember Jesus’ teaching that lustful thoughts were equal morally to adultery?), and no human being can claim to know all the thoughts of another! Even if you asked him what was wrong, he may not have said all that was in his heart - nor is he obligated to.

Secondly there is no sin in abstaining from Communion even if you are in the state of grace.

 

[Eucharisted]

While it is not a sin to not receive Communion, it dose pain Jesus when souls do not unite themselves to Him. It is one reason why the Church recommends Christians to receive Jesus as frequently as they attend Mass, and to make as many spiritual communions as possible.

 

[Shin]

There may be good interior reasons he did not feel worthy and appropriately abstained that you do not know about. And likely enough private.

Easily. Especially for a new Catholic.

There’re a lot of sins for a new Catholic to overcome, mortal or not, that are serious, and there’s a proper interior disposition and detachment from sin to have the pure state of heart for proper reception.

 

[quiet52]

Why are you judging your boyfriend? This is absolutely none of your business.

What wonderful reverence he has for our Lord – if only more Catholics wouldn’t take the Blessed Sacrament for granted.

Your boyfriend might not have fasted a complete hour prior to Communion. He may have in fact sinned mortally (but you are not his confessor). He might not have participated fully and actively during Mass prior to Communion, and realized he didn’t have proper disposition to receive the Lord (if he hadn’t sincerely asked for our Lord’s forgiveness for his venial sins). He might have been angry, doubtful, despairing, or whatever, with God and needed to work on that prior to receiving our Lord (again, none of your business). It is NOT a sin to not receive the Eucharist during Mass. And none of us are judges as to whether someone is in spiritual communion with our Lord, whether they receive the Eucharist or not. I encourage you to be more respectful and less judgmental about your b/f’s decisions about participating during Mass. And I’m very happy for both of you, that you share the liturgy together.

 

[Seatuck]

Last Sunday my boyfriend stayed behind from communion because he said he “didn’t feel worthy.” He is a new Catholic and I know for a fact (trust me on this one) that he did not commit any mortal sins. Does he have to confess that he stayed behind? Is that a sin?

We are not required to receive communion at every Mass or every opportunity.We are only required to receive once a year. You should really not assume that you know whether you boyfriend is actually “worthy” or not. It isn’t your place and you should not be putting pressure on him about staying behind in the pew if he thinks he should. If you are concerned that he is being scrupulous you can suggest he talk to a priest to get a better feel for what sins are mortal or venial.

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

Last Sunday my boyfriend stayed behind from communion because he said he “didn’t feel worthy.” He is a new Catholic and I know for a fact (trust me on this one) that he did not commit any mortal sins. Does he have to confess that he stayed behind? Is that a sin?

You have no way of knowing the state of his soul and cannot judge that. No one is required to receive Holy Communion just because they are assisting at Mass. Let him know when the next Confession times are and remind him.

 

[Jimzz12]

Last Sunday my boyfriend stayed behind from communion because he said he “didn’t feel worthy.” He is a new Catholic and I know for a fact (trust me on this one) that he did not commit any mortal sins. Does he have to confess that he stayed behind? Is that a sin?

Perhaps he is excercising prudence. A manly trait indeed. It is an unhealthy message from the devil to wonder about a man’s state of grace. Satan wants to drive a wedge into every human relationship. Get used to it should you ever marry. He will try to drive the wedges deep.

 

[puzzleannie]

Last Sunday my boyfriend stayed behind from communion because he said he “didn’t feel worthy.” He is a new Catholic and I know for a fact (trust me on this one) that he did not commit any mortal sins. Does he have to confess that he stayed behind? Is that a sin?

no you do NOT know the dispostion of soul of any other person, no matter how well you think you know him. That judgement is very dangerous and a bad habit. No one is obliged, nor should they ever be asked, to give another person the reason why the choose not to receive communion. We have no right to venture into that private forum. No it is not a sin to miss communion. The obligation is to attend Sunday Mass. the actual law of the Church is to confess grave sins once a year and to receive communion during the Easter Season. It will be healthier for your relationship, and for your own spiritual health, if you cease being concerned about his interior life especially in matters that are the province of the confessional.