First Communion and Mortal Sin

[S_V7]

A family member recently recieved their First Communion. About 2 weeks later, she didn’t want to go to Mass. I told her it was a mortal sin not to go to Mass but she just said that she could just go to confession later and closed the door. Well she ended up going to Mass anyway and recieved Communion. She’s young and I’m not sure if she understood the gravity of this. I suggested she go to Confession this saturday which didn’t end so well. I got that ‘don’t start again’ look from someone present at the time and decided to drop the subject. So…should I make that suggestion again, and if so how should I go about it? It seems everyone there is treating me as if I’m going through a ‘religious phase’ (which I hope isn’t the case) and don’t exactly take me seriously with these kind of things. Any thoughts would be wonderful.

 

[CuriousInIL]

I don’t know that overcoming the thought that she didn’t want to go to Mass and then going is a problem. Why do you think it is?

 

[LilyM]

I don’t know that overcoming the thought that she didn’t want to go to Mass and then going is a problem. Why do you think it is?

Remember the parable - the child who at first says he doesn’t want to help the father in the vineyard but later changes his mind and does help is OK.

Truth be told, sometimes I’m tempted to skip Sunday Mass as well, though I always end up dragging myself along (never regret it once I get there, though).

I would remind the kid, though, that it’s not OK to plan to sin mortally and then go to confession - that’s presumption (taking God’s mercy for granted), a grave sin in itself.

 

[Margita]

How old is she? It’s hard getting to someone at a certain age…

 

[puzzleannie]

she went to Mass anyhow, so what is the problem. Is this person your child or godchild so you have responsibility for her spiritual well-being. Do not get into the habit of nagging kids about their mortal sin. If they are old enough to have made their first confession they are old enough to grow in appreciation of moral law, and to form their own conscience. We had a debate on the topic of forcing kids to go to confession on this forum a few months ago, and quite frankly, no one can tell another person they are in a state of mortal sin and no one can tell another person they need confession. If you are not the priest, better butt out of this one.

 

[S_V7]

The sin of presumption is what I’m worried about. And if I’m not mistaken, she should be nine.

 

[puzzleannie]

The sin of presumption is what I’m worried about. And if I’m not mistaken, she should be nine.

repeat, why are you worried about the supposed sins of another person?

 

[S_V7]

Well in short, I don’t want them to end up in hell. I’m not sure she committed a mortal sin, thats up to her, it’s just that’s she’s young (9yrs) and I remeber some VERY grave sins I committed at such an age and I now wish I had know better. It took me years to realize the things I’d done and properly confess them.

 

[LilyM]

Well in short, I don’t want them to end up in hell. I’m not sure she committed a mortal sin, thats up to her, it’s just that’s she’s young (9yrs) and I remeber some VERY grave sins I committed at such an age and I now wish I had know better. It took me years to realize the things I’d done and properly confess them.

If you don’t realise something is a grave sin at the time you do it, then the element of full knowledge is lacking - it’s not a mortal sin for you and not something you’re required to confess.

God makes allowances for your lack of knowledge and isn’t offended by what you’ve done in ignorance, any more than you are offended by someone accidentally breaking a plate (although if they do it deliberately it’s a different matter)

It’s to be expected that children don’t have the same awareness of sin as adults - they can’t possibly, for one thing.

God, like any parent, doesn’t hold children to the same standards of knowledge or behaviour as adults, and neither should you.