First Confession for RCIA candidates: are they culpable for mortal sins committed without full knowledge?

[RosslynV]

For rcia candidates already baptized and going through the process, their first sacrament received will be Confession. As most candidates are new to catholic teachings on morality, they are just becoming aware of the gravity of sin. So surely, they have committed many mortal sins in which they lacked full knowledge of their gravity. Would the candidates have to confess common sins such as masturbation, contraception and fornication if such sins were committed without knowledge as to the gravity?

 

[SuscipeMeDomine]

I would recommend that candidates be as open as possible when making their first confession and not worry about whether or not a particular sin meets all the criteria for being mortal. This is an opportunity to encounter God’s mercy in the sacrament, not turn it into an exercise in confusion and excuses. Leave it to the priest to help them as needed.

In my experience with candidates, they are very confused about mortal vs. venial anyway. No need to add to that.

 

[Usige]

I would recommend that candidates be as open as possible when making their first confession and not worry about whether or not a particular sin meets all the criteria for being mortal. This is an opportunity to encounter God’s mercy in the sacrament, not turn it into an exercise in confusion and excuses. Leave it to the priest to help them as needed.

In my experience with candidates, they are very confused about mortal vs. venial anyway. No need to add to that.

Agreed. When I converted I spent something like 20 - 30 minutes in confession (I setup an appointment knowing what I needed to confess). Many of the things I confessed might not have met the criteria for full knowledge when they were committed, but it was important to me to basically say I was sorry for those things I did that might have wounded my relationship with God even unintentionally. A first confession for a candidate can be a cathartic experience and laying bare the past transgressions can help cement the last few steps to conversion.

One of the dangers here tends to be the focus on only confessing mortal sins. I think it is a good for candidates to get into the habit of confessing venial sins also. Sacramental confession of even venial sins provides graces to not commit sin in the future. I wish there was more focus on confession as a pious devotional practice rather than just coming clean so someone can receive the Eucharist.

 

[boldlygo]

For rcia candidates already baptized and going through the process, their first sacrament received will be Confession. As most candidates are new to catholic teachings on morality, they are just becoming aware of the gravity of sin. So surely, they have committed many mortal sins in which they lacked full knowledge of their gravity. Would the candidates have to confess common sins such as masturbation, contraception and fornication if such sins were committed without knowledge as to the gravity?

By definition, mortal sin requires:

1.) Grave matter.
2.) Full knowledge that action is indeed mortal sin.
3.) Full consent to ‘do the deed’ anyway.

 

[Linusthe2nd]

For rcia candidates already baptized and going through the process, their first sacrament received will be Confession. As most candidates are new to catholic teachings on morality, they are just becoming aware of the gravity of sin. So surely, they have committed many mortal sins in which they lacked full knowledge of their gravity. Would the candidates have to confess common sins such as masturbation, contraception and fornication if such sins were committed without knowledge as to the gravity?

You do not confess as mortal sin anything which did not meet the criteria - just be certain you are not " rationalizing. " On the other hand it never hurts to tell your confessor the weaknesses you were once subjcet to, but explain that you are mentioning them to see if he has any advice to offer - and he may have, all of us are subject to temptations of the flesh, they never go away entirely, never.

Linus2nd

 

[keithwoodcc]

I am a convert. Five years joyfully a Catholic.

To quote a couple of folks earlier in this thread:

In my experience with candidates, they are very confused about mortal vs. venial anyway.

and:

*By definition, mortal sin requires:

1.) Grave matter.
2.) Full knowledge that action is indeed mortal sin.
3.) Full consent to ‘do the deed’ anyway.*

After six years I am still not sure of the precise difference between mortal and venial. ‘Grave matter’, of itself does not resolve the dilemma. What may be grave to me may not be grave to another Catholic and vice versa (no pun intended…)
So, I try very hard not to walk the line.

 

[Jon_S_1]

For rcia candidates already baptized and going through the process, their first sacrament received will be Confession. As most candidates are new to catholic teachings on morality, they are just becoming aware of the gravity of sin. So surely, they have committed many mortal sins in which they lacked full knowledge of their gravity. Would the candidates have to confess common sins such as masturbation, contraception and fornication if such sins were committed without knowledge as to the gravity?

My priest advised me to confess it and just make it known that I didn’t know it was sinful but understand why it is now.

I had my reconciliation 2 weeks ago, and let it all out. It was really great so I recommend everyone who has something on their heart, confess it whether it’s mortal or not. The church recommends Venial sins be confessed too, so it seems one should just lay their burdens down.

That said, although something like not attending church on Sundays or using birth control are grave matter, if the person did not know this (and often was taught that it is not sin) then it does not meet the requirements of being a mortal sin.

 

[DAML72]

Agreed. When I converted I spent something like 20 - 30 minutes in confession (I setup an appointment knowing what I needed to confess). Many of the things I confessed might not have met the criteria for full knowledge when they were committed, but it was important to me to basically say I was sorry for those things I did that might have wounded my relationship with God even unintentionally. A first confession for a candidate can be a cathartic experience and laying bare the past transgressions can help cement the last few steps to conversion.

One of the dangers here tends to be the focus on only confessing mortal sins. I think it is a good for candidates to get into the habit of confessing venial sins also. Sacramental confession of even venial sins provides graces to not commit sin in the future. I wish there was more focus on confession as a pious devotional practice rather than just coming clean so someone can receive the Eucharist.

I so wholeheartedly agree with everything said here!

 

[jmcrae]

For rcia candidates already baptized and going through the process, their first sacrament received will be Confession. As most candidates are new to catholic teachings on morality, they are just becoming aware of the gravity of sin. So surely, they have committed many mortal sins in which they lacked full knowledge of their gravity. Would the candidates have to confess common sins such as masturbation, contraception and fornication if such sins were committed without knowledge as to the gravity?

Congratulations to your Candidates on their First Reconciliation!

I agree with everything that has been said here.

 

[glendab]

Hello Rosslyn.

For rcia candidates already baptized and going through the process, their first sacrament received will be Confession. As most candidates are new to catholic teachings on morality, they are just becoming aware of the gravity of sin. So surely, they have committed many mortal sins in which they lacked full knowledge of their gravity. Would the candidates have to confess common sins such as masturbation, contraception and fornication if such sins were committed without knowledge as to the gravity?

I am of the opinion that if they are TWO WEEKS AWAY FROM EASTER AND SACRAMENTS, and they still aren’t aware that masturbation, fornication and contraception are all serious violations of the morals they are to have as Catholics, then they have been ill prepared for the Sacrament and their RCIA Sponsors and instructors are very remiss.

This is just my opinion, but approximately NINE MONTHS AGO, they began classes to prepare for Sacraments. That is quite a long time to be told the difference between mortal sins which must be confessed and venial sins which can be confessed and which is meritorious need not be, and then to be given a list of the Ten Commandments, the Church Precepts and an brief examination of conscience. Any discussion of the nature of sins which must be part of their First Confession should have occurred long ago in the beginning when the Sacraments they would be needing first got discussed.

It is also my opinion that there is a Presence of the Holy Spirit moving persons to conversion that brings them in the doors of the Church to begin with and one of the after effects of this is an awareness of personal sins. Some speak of this experience as being “convicted” of sins. Those who are converting usually have been touched by Grace that moves them. This is the same Holy Spirit that God promised when He ascended into Heaven, the One Who would do the work of building His Church and it does. Knowing this, those who conduct RCIA need to take advantage of this outpouring of grace.

Glenda

 

[jmcrae]

Hello Rosslyn.

I am of the opinion that if they are TWO WEEKS AWAY FROM EASTER AND SACRAMENTS, and they still aren’t aware that masturbation, fornication and contraception are all serious violations of the morals they are to have as Catholics, then they have been ill prepared for the Sacrament and their RCIA Sponsors and instructors are very remiss.

The Candidates are also confessing sins that took place before they ever thought of becoming Catholics. It’s the ones from many years ago where they may not have had the requisite knowledge that would make them "mortal’ sins, even though of course they are always grave sins.

This is just my opinion, but approximately NINE MONTHS AGO, they began classes to prepare for Sacraments. That is quite a long time to be told the difference between mortal sins which must be confessed and venial sins which can be confessed and which is meritorious need not be, and then to be given a list of the Ten Commandments, the Church Precepts and an brief examination of conscience. Any discussion of the nature of sins which must be part of their First Confession should have occurred long ago in the beginning when the Sacraments they would be needing first got discussed.

And again, prior to that time, they may have committed grave sins without being aware that they were sinful at all - such as a married couple using birth control while thinking that avoiding children was the responsible thing to do, and not finding out until their RCIA classes that in fact the situation is the opposite, and that it is giving life that is the responsible course of action, rather than withholding it.

 

[SuperLuigi]

I would recommend that candidates be as open as possible when making their first confession and not worry about whether or not a particular sin meets all the criteria for being mortal. This is an opportunity to encounter God’s mercy in the sacrament, not turn it into an exercise in confusion and excuses. Leave it to the priest to help them as needed.

In my experience with candidates, they are very confused about mortal vs. venial anyway. No need to add to that.

Agreed.

 

[Wkane]

Great post, I am a Candidate too. First Confession is supposed to be this Saturday.

 

[jmcrae]

Great post, I am a Candidate too. First Confession is supposed to be this Saturday.

Congratulations!

 

[keithwoodcc]

Great post, I am a Candidate too. First Confession is supposed to be this Saturday.

A WONDERFUL time for you Wkane. It will be a precious memory to you.
God Bless you in your walk with Him.