Forgiveness of venial sin at Communion

[nick347]

Where does the teaching that we are forgiven from venial sin after receiving the Eucharist come from?

 

[asia53]

From the Catechism of the Catholic Church:

CCC 1416 Communion with the Body and Blood of Christ increases the communicant’s union with the Lord, forgives his venial sins, and preserves him from grave sins. Since receiving this sacrament strengthens the bonds of charity between the communicant and Christ, it also reinforces the unity of the Church as the Mystical Body of Christ.

 

[Ad_Orientem]

I think it is a conclusion of theology rather than an Apostolic teaching handed down, but I could be wrong about that. It can be found in the Summa Theologica of St. Thomas Aquinas (13th century):

… certain things cause the remission of venial sins: first, because they imply the infusion of grace, since the infusion of grace removes venial sins, as stated above (Article 2); and so, by the Eucharist, Extreme Unction, and by all the sacraments of the New Law without exception, wherein grace is conferred, venial sins are remitted. (S.T. III, Q. 87, a3)

Others may know of older sources.

 

[ProVobis]

I think it is a conclusion of theology rather than an Apostolic teaching handed down, but I could be wrong about that. It can be found in the Summa Theologica of St. Thomas Aquinas (13th century):

… certain things cause the remission of venial sins: first, because they imply the infusion of grace, since the infusion of grace removes venial sins, as stated above (Article 2); and so, by the Eucharist, Extreme Unction, and by all the sacraments of the New Law without exception, wherein grace is conferred, venial sins are remitted. (S.T. III, Q. 87, a3)

Others may know of older sources.

This may be a little confusing. While venial sins can be remitted through certain things, the punishment due to those sins can be remitted by indulgences and/or Purgatory.

 

[babochka]

Where does the teaching that we are forgiven from venial sin after receiving the Eucharist come from?

The Catechism says, “Holy Communion augments our union with Christ” (#1391) and “Holy Communion separates us from sin” (No. 1393).

Since the Holy Mass represents our Lord’s sacrifice for sin, and the Holy Eucharist unites us with our Lord, receiving the Holy Eucharist must both cleanse us of venial sin and protect us from future sin.

The Council of Trent’s Decree on the Holy Eucharist states “…(The Holy Eucharist) be also a remedy to free us from our daily faults and to preserve us from mortal sin.”

The Church Fathers taught that we receive forgiveness of sins when we receive the Eucharist. St. Ambrose preached, “For as often as we eat this bread and drink the cup, we proclaim the death of the Lord. If we proclaim the Lord’s death, we proclaim the forgiveness of sins. If, as often as His Blood is poured out, it is poured for the forgiveness of sins, I should always receive it, so that it may always forgive my sins. Because I always sin, I should always have a remedy.”

In the Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom, the priest prays: “We beseech, implore, and beg you: send your Holy Spirit upon us all and upon these gifts… that those who partake of them may be purified in soul, receive the forgiveness of their sins, and share in the Holy Spirit.”

In the Byzantine Rite, when the priest gives an individual Communion, he prays, "The servant of God, (name), receives the precious body and blood of our Lord and savior Jesus Christ, for the remission of all his sins and for life everlasting.

 

[rcwitness]

I would consider the frame of heart of the Christian receiving His Eucharist as the holy invitation to what is offered in His Sacrifice.

If condemnation is charged to the abuser of the Lord’s supper, then forgiveness and life is given more abundantly to the worthy participant.

The distinction of a mortal sin and a venal sin on the conscience of a member is part of our examination of conscience and awareness of our relationship with Jesus.

 

[Bookcat]

They can also be forgiven in many other ways as well…

 

[peter26]

Yes, the penitential rite, the blessings at the start and end of Mass, use of Holy water and i believe simply saying a prayer forgive venial sins.

 

[Ad_Orientem]

This may be a little confusing. While venial sins can be remitted through certain things, the punishment due to those sins can be remitted by indulgences and/or Purgatory.

Sed contra, indulgences and purgatory are extraordinary means, not the ordinary. The punishment due to sin can be remitted, in whole or in part, by many means, including the devout use of the sacraments, acts of virtue, and prayer. To take one example, an act of perfect contrition will remit all temporal punishment (up to that point). But if we are not that devout, we obtain only the remission of part of the temporal punishment due to sin. This even holds true for indulgences.

It should be noted, the Church teaches that “these things are to be understood of those sins for which no actual affection is retained.” (Catechism of Trent, Sacrament of the Eucharist).

 

[ProVobis]

Sed contra, indulgences and purgatory are extraordinary means, not the ordinary. The punishment due to sin can be remitted, in whole or in part, by many means, including the devout use of the sacraments, acts of virtue, and prayer. To take one example, an act of perfect contrition will remit all temporal punishment (up to that point). But if we are not that devout, we obtain only the remission of part of the temporal punishment due to sin. This even holds true for indulgences.

The old missals used to state the amount of indulgences for many of those prayers. What was in dispute was the number of years stated as they were deemed incalculable from the Church’s standpoint.

Plenary indulgences involve some kind of act or prayer plus the necessary conditions of confession, communion, plus prayer for the Pope’s intentions, plus disattachment to all venial sin, as you have stated. Anything short of this is partial indulgence at most.

 

[Vico]

Where does the teaching that we are forgiven from venial sin after receiving the Eucharist come from?

When we say the Our Father, we ask for forgiveness and express our hatred of evil: “and forgive us our trespasses” and “lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil”.

Baltimore Catechism, (1941 edition):375. What are the chief effects of a worthy Holy Communion?

  The chief effects of a worthy Holy Communion are: first, a closer  union with Our Lord and a more fervent love of God and of our neighbor;  second, an increase of sanctifying grace; third, preservation from  mortal sin and the remission of venial sin; fourth, the lessening of our  inclinations to sin and the help to practice good works.
  *He who eats my flesh, and drinks my blood, abides in me and I in him. (John 6:57)*

388. What is contrition?

  Contrition is sincere sorrow for having offended God, and hatred for  the sins we have committed, with a firm purpose of sinning no more.
  *Let the wicked man forsake his way and the unjust man his  thoughts, and let him return to the Lord; and he will have mercy on him.  (Isaiah 55:7)

•   **389. Will God forgive us any sin unless we have true contrition for it?**
  
  God will not forgive us any sin, whether mortal or venial, unless we have true contrition for it.
  *Now therefore saith the Lord: "Be converted to me with all your  heart, in fasting and in weeping and in mourning. And rend your hearts  and not your garments. (Joel 2:12-13)

catholicity.com/baltimore-catechism/lesson28.html
*

 

[Bookcat]

Venial sins are forgiven in many ways -besides confession (frequent confession is greatly recommended) - acts of perfect or even imperfect contrition, prayer, reading Sacred Scripture, the Mass, Holy Communion, the devout use holy water, other sacramentals, little short prayers during the day, acts of love etc

I will add a related section of the Catechism:

From the Catechism:

1436 Eucharist and Penance. Daily conversion and penance find their source and nourishment in the Eucharist, for in it is made present the sacrifice of Christ which has reconciled us with God. Through the Eucharist those who live from the life of Christ are fed and strengthened. “It is a remedy to free us from our daily faults and to preserve us from mortal sins.”

1437 Reading Sacred Scripture, praying the Liturgy of the Hours and the Our Father - every sincere act of worship or devotion revives the spirit of conversion and repentance within us and contributes to the forgiveness of our sins.

vatican.va/archive/catechism/ccc_toc.htm

Saint Augustine noted in the year 395 to his catechumens to live their Baptism - but in doing so they would not live without venial sins - for life is never without such - and that daily prayer was instituted to blot them out.

Let us pray the Our Father as St. Augustine spoke of being prayed for such daily venial sins …“forgive us our trespasses…” He noted that for such sins we were given prayer - and especially noted the Lords Prayer.

Indeed in the early Church such was often prayed three times a day. A wonderful practice that my family follows.

CCC The first communities prayed the Lord’s Prayer three times a day, in place of the “Eighteen Benedictions” customary in Jewish piety. scborromeo.org/ccc/p4s2a1.htm