Forgetting a sin in Confession and getting Communion

[Miguelmdza]

So today I went to Confession. Unfortunately, I forgot to confess a certain mortal sin and remembered it after Confession. I stayed for Mass and received Holy Communion afterwards. I thought that since I forgot the mortal sin in Confession, the sin was forgiven, so I was clean to receive Communion. Was I in a state of grace or still in a state of mortal sin?

 

[Aelred_Minor]

Assuming everything else was in place presumably the absolution was valid and you were in a state of grace. However, you do still have a responsibility to confess the forgotten mortal sin at your next practical opportunity.

But your main question is something I’ve been a bit confused about as well. When one has been validly absolved but has not yet confessed the forgotten sin, is one permitted to receive Communion?

 

[Miguelmdza]

Yes! That is basically my question! Can one still receive Communion after remembering an unconfessed sin that was forgotten in Confession?

 

[Joan_M]

Assuming everything else was in place presumably the absolution was valid and you were in a state of grace. However, you do still have a responsibility to confess the forgotten mortal sin at your next practical opportunity.

But your main question is something I’ve been a bit confused about as well. When one has been validly absolved but has not yet confessed the forgotten sin, is one permitted to receive Communion?

If a mortal sin was truly forgotten in confession, then it is, indeed, permitted to receive Communion. And you don’t have to hurry back to confession to confess it. Just confess it when next you go to confession (hopefully you are going to confession regularly). All you need to say is “at my last confession I forgot to confess” (and state the sin and how many times you had committed it). That’s all it takes.

 

[Miguelmdza]

Thanks Joan. You placed my heart in peace.

 

[Edmundus1581]

If a mortal sin was truly forgotten in confession, then it is, indeed, permitted to receive Communion. And you don’t have to hurry back to confession to confess it. Just confess it when next you go to confession (hopefully you are going to confession regularly). All you need to say is “at my last confession I forgot to confess” (and state the sin and how many times you had committed it). That’s all it takes.

Yes indeed!

From the Council of Trent, cited in the Catechism:

When Christ’s faithful strive to confess all the sins that they can remember, they undoubtedly place all of them before the divine mercy for pardon.

para 1456 - extract]

Thanks Joan. You placed my heart in peace.

I just added to Joan’s response to doubly re-assure you (and any readers) that this is addressed by the councils and the catechism.

 

[Miguelmdza]

Thanks! God bless you all for your help. So I do not need to go to Confession imediately? I usually go every Saturday. Today, my parish will be having Confessions from 6 to 8. Should I go to Confession again today? Or is it ok to wait until Saturday?

 

[Jon_S_1]

Yes! That is basically my question! Can one still receive Communion after remembering an unconfessed sin that was forgotten in Confession?

I would say it is probably best practice to now abstain until you confess it. You don’t want to make a habit of “oh I’ll get to it sometime”.

 

[seagal]

Asked and answered;
catholic.com/quickquestions/what-if-i-forgot-to-confess-a-sin-and-remembered-it-later-was-it-absolved