Forgiveness of venial sins at mass

[paradigmcrisis]

I have a question regarding the forgiveness of venial sins at mass. If I have repented of a sin in my personal prayer life to God does that mean that the sin is not really forgiven until I attend mass?

Also at what point is the sin forgiven during the mass? Upon using the holy water or after transubstantiation?

Any help would be appreciated. I am not a catholic but would just like help in understanding how a catholic would view the issue. Thank you.

 

[brigid12]

Hi! Glad to give you some help.
For one thing, prayer to Him is necessary but not the only thing that’s needed. For mortal sins confession is necessary - unless you can be sure that you were totally in perfect contrition. This means that you can sayfor sure that you want to be absolved due to your love for God and not for the reason of fear of hell. Same with venial sins which can also be absolved through the use of sacramentals (holy water, rosary, etc.) along with Mass.
For another, it is only venial sins, not mortal sins (like you said) that are absolved in Mass. There are a number of times during Mass that absolve them. After the confiteor (“I confess”) and on consuming the Eucharist are two.

Hope that helps.

 

[ProVobis]

I have a question regarding the forgiveness of venial sins at mass. If I have repented of a sin in my personal prayer life to God does that mean that the sin is not really forgiven until I attend mass?

Your own contrition suffices.

From the Baltimore Catechism

Contrition

Lesson 30 from the Baltimore Cathechism

1. 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.

1. 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.

1. When is sorrow for sin true contrition?

Sorrow for sin is true contrition when it is interior, supernatural supreme, and universal.

1. When is our sorrow interior?

Our sorrow is interior when it comes from our heart, and not merely from our lips.

1. When is our sorrow supernatural?

Our sorrow is supernatural when, with the help of God’s grace, it arises from motives which spring from faith and not merely from natural motives.

1. When is our sorrow supreme?

Our sorrow is supreme when we hate sin above every other evil, and are willing to endure any suffering rather than offend God in the future by sin.

1. When is our sorrow universal?

Our sorrow is universal when we are sorry for every mortal sin which we may have had the misfortune to commit.

1. Should we always try to have sorrow for all our venial sins when receiving the sacrament of Penance?

We should try to have sorrow for all our venial sins when receiving the sacrament of Penance, and, when we have only venial sins to confess, we must have sorrow for at least one of them or for some sin of our past life which we confess.

1. Why should we have contrition for mortal sin?

We should have contrition for mortal sin because it is the greatest of all evils, gravely offends God, keeps us out of heaven, and condemns us forever to hell.

1. Why should we have contrition for venial sin?

We should have contrition for venial sin because it is displeasing to God, merits temporal punishment, and may lead to mortal sin.

1. How many kinds of contrition are there?

There are two kinds of contrition: perfect contrition and imperfect contrition.

1. When is our contrition perfect?

Our contrition is perfect when we are sorry for our sins because sin offends God, whom we love above all things for His own sake.

1. When is our contrition imperfect?

Our contrition is imperfect when we are sorry for our sins because they are hateful in themselves or because we fear God’s punishment.

1. To receive the sacrament of Penance worthily, what kind of contrition is sufficient?

To receive the sacrament of Penance worthily, imperfect contrition is sufficient.

1. Should we always try to have perfect contrition in the sacrament of Penance?

We should always try to have perfect contrition in the sacrament of Penance because perfect contrition is more pleasing to God, and because with His help we can always have it.

1. How can a person in mortal sin regain the state of grace before receiving the sacrament of Penance?

A person in mortal sin can regain the state of grace before receiving the sacrament of Penance by making an act of perfect contrition with the sincere purpose of going to confession.

1. What should we do if we have the misfortune to commit a mortal sin?

If we have the misfortune to commit a mortal sin, we should ask God’s pardon and grace at once, make an act of perfect contrition, and go to confession as soon as we can.

1. May we receive Holy Communion after committing a mortal sin if we merely make an act of perfect contrition?

We may not receive Holy Communion after committing a mortal sin if we merely make an act of perfect contrition; one who has sinned grievously must go to confession before receiving Holy Communion.

1. What is the firm purpose of sinning no more?

The firm purpose of sinning no more is the sincere resolve not only to avoid sin but to avoid as far as possible the near occasions of sin.

1. What purpose of amendment must a person have if he has only venial sins to confess?

If a person has only venial sins to confess, he must have the purpose of avoiding at least one of them.

catholicity.com/baltimore-catechism/lesson30.html

 

[Jon_S_1]

I have a question regarding the forgiveness of venial sins at mass. If I have repented of a sin in my personal prayer life to God does that mean that the sin is not really forgiven until I attend mass?

Also at what point is the sin forgiven during the mass? Upon using the holy water or after transubstantiation?

Any help would be appreciated. I am not a catholic but would just like help in understanding how a catholic would view the issue. Thank you.

When you pray a perfect act of contrition immediately after realizing and being remorseful of your sin, WITH THE INTENT TO GO TO CONFESSION AS SOON AS POSSIBLE (mortal sins), they are forgiven. If you don’t go to confession, you weren’t really repentant and they are not forgiven. So go without delay, but don’t fear if your hit by a bus on the way.

For your Venial sins, they are forgiven when you ask them to be in prayer. This can occur anytime, but in mass there are several opportunities.

 

[paradigmcrisis]

I appreciate all the responses from you guys. This is helpful information.

 

[Bookcat]

Venial sins can be forgiven in many ways…prayer, imperfect contrition, perfect contrition, acts of love, etc.etc

Though it is very recommended to confess from them regularly (see the Catechism on this).