Horrified, Appalled, Disappointed

[Anna_Claire]

There is a saying (could be Augustine)…“Sin abounds, but grace abounds even more.” A scrupulous person has an overpowering fear of sin. I don’t claim to understand the scrupulous person but I do wonder …Is there never the same belief that grace is also powerfully present…more so than sin?

 

[Bezant]

Hello,

I want to tell you how horrified I am by the custom of EVERYONE going to communion and receiving Our Lord in the Eucharist at Mass on Sunday! I go to confession at least twice a month (it is scheduled for Saturday afternoons from 3:30-4:00) and there are usually, at most, 7 or 8 parishioners in line. And it’s usually the same older ladies every week!

Now, let me tell you - our parish has a few thousand parishioners. Masses are full. And come time for Communion, practically everyone gets out of their eat and accepts Christ like he or she is without mortal sin.

The size of the parish being what it is, I have to assume that very few of these individuals attend confession on anything resembling a regular basis. Which is one thing…as long as they do not accept Communion while not in a state of grace! But this is NEVER discussed at Mass. The priest never goes over what makes a person worthy of Communion or not.

I am just horrified. Does anyone care anymore? These people think Communion is a right - or just a “thing” they do at church. They don’t care if they are not in a state of grace. It’s appalling!!!

It’s not your responsibility to hold people accountable for taking the Eucharist at an inappropriate time (assuming that they’re even guilty of doing so at all!). Your responsibility is to focus on God.

 

[George_Stegmeir]

I was away from the church for over 50 years, and returned only about 7 years ago. When I left, everything was in Latin and most people, at least in my home parish, went to confession at least twice a month. As a kid, the nuns taught me to go weekly.I fell away from the Church when I went to sea…only major Warships, like aircraft carriers or cruisers have Catholic Chaplains aboard, and Navy Cargo Ships and Merchant Ships do not have priests as part of their crews.
Since my return to mother church, the one thing I have noticed-not just in my parish church, but in others, is how few people go to confession- either at the Saturday scheduled hours, or between Masses on Sunday; yet, over half the congregation receives Communion at each Mass. I am quite sure the priests are aware of this, but we rarely hear about going to Confession from the pulpit.
I have yet to have anyone explain to me what happened while I was away. Surely Church teaching hasn’t changed???

 

[Paul_theApostle]

If people are not in a state of mortal sin,does that mean that they can take Communion?

What sins keep people away from Communion?

Is the OP assuming people in her parish are adulterers,fornicators,blasphemers,practicers of magic,homosexuals,prostitutes,theives,liars or haters of God?

 

[Marocchino]

Dear Original Poster,

Do not let the devil trick you into making assumptions about others. If you are scandalized te the priest’s negligence in not discussing the proper disposition for receiving Holy Communion, write a letter to him about your concern. If he will not listen, leave the parish and contribute your Sunday donation to a priest who is more vigilant about safeguarding the dignity of Our Eucharistic Lord. I was constantly scandalized at a parish and was falling into the sin of presumption about others so I left and found a parish where people are more reverent during Mass.

 

[ItrustYouLord]

This is something I have wondered about too. I’ve tried not judging or assuming about this situation though.

Something I do understand however, is that not everyone knows or realises if they are in mortal sin, they cannot receive the Eucharist. Many people have been raised and are unaware of important things we as practising Catholics should be aware of.

Just like many other essential practises we should implement as Catholics (like Natural Family Planning, and regular Confession for example), we should somehow provide insight into these key topics in Parishes regularly through events like, let’s say ‘Family Night’ - where on a weekly basis or something, the priest talks to Catholics on different topics concerning family life, personal life… Or in the newsletters given out on the weekends, a little flyer/information brochure of any topic, and relating to this thread’s topic: confession.

Sorry if I’ve worded my post a little over-the-place, or there are gramatical errors - I am typing this up via mobile

 

[Debora123]

Is the OP assuming people in her parish are adulterers,fornicators,blasphemers,practicers of magic,homosexuals,prostitutes,theives,liars or haters of God?

Appears to be.

 

[Jamey77]

Well said sw85 and I agree about the comments on the apostate age we live in.

For sure we aren’t to judge individual persons but if there are overwhelming signs that sacrilege is wholesale and I believe it is then noise has to be made. We should ask our priests to preach about mortal sin and the necessity of being in a state of grace when we receive the Eucharist. We must also pray for them and the situation as others have mentioned.

Problem is the good priests I know of who have tried to clean up the problem have been persecuted by their own parishioners and eventually run out by weight of numbers of complaints to the bishops office. The other priests who only talk about accepting Jesus in your heart and being a light to the world without discussing the harsher elements of the gospel or uncomfortable Catholic teachings are left alone.

Discussing these things on an internet forum if done in the right spirit is good too, particularly to bring greater levels of awareness to the truth of the situation. St John of the Cross said that those who hand out the sacred species without care are culpable.

 

[Daralharb]

Nobody’s saying those are the only two options. Is there no possibility that you’re misjudging and that these people are yes, guilty of sin, but they’re also going to confession outside of your awareness? How about some charity–give them the benefit of the doubt, instead of launching into an internet tirade about knowledge of someone’s soul that would be between them, God, and presumably their confessor? Would you want someone assuming such things about you?

-ACEGC

Charity? Let me just repost what Jamey77 posted in part:

Fr Bill Casey, the Superior of the Fathers of Mercy says, “since many have stopped going to confession, either alot of people are ready for canonisation, or there are many sacrilegious communions, which do you think?”

I said nothing different in concept.

 

[LilyM]

Is there no survey of priests to find out how common confession is? Surely some hard data would be useful.

Given that confession is anonymous, it might well be difficult for a priest to give a guesstimate. I mean sure he could say ‘x number each week’ but how many of those go weekly? Monthly? Quarterly?

 

[Tridentinum]

These threads are a waste of time. Someone mentions how neglected the Sacrament of Penance is post-Vatican II and you just get everyone throwing the ‘Don’t judge!’ punch line. There is a difference between saying ‘You’re going to Hell!’ and, ‘Gee, it seems that thousands are going up for Holy Communion every Mass whilst the confessional is collecting dust. It is unlikely that everyone here is a Saint, therefore it looks like we have a problem’.

 

[Imperial_Guard]

I think we can all agree that, for the most part, many Catholics don’t go to confession and that catechisis has been rather poor. Further, I think we all would agree that all priests should take the time to truely explain what the Eucharist is and its sacred laws. It seems to be the modern fashion for priests to talk about the holy Mass as simply a meal and that the only commandment is to “be nice.”

 

[Gordon_Sims]

I’m never able to make it to my parish’s very limited open Confession. As a result, I either make an appointment or go to another parish. I’m sure very few people at my parish have ever seen me standing in line for or coming out of a confessional, not least of whom is my priest. However, I do go regularly; maybe not twice a month, but often enough that I don’t have to skip Communion. Should those people who never see me at Confession be upset when they see me take Communion?

On a related note, I asked a friend the other day if I should still go to Confession during Lent if I don’t have any mortal sins to confess. He was upset with me for insinuating that I didn’t currently have any mortal sins on my conscience and told me that, when I go, I could start with the lie I’d just told.

 

[Annabelle_Marie]

I think we can all agree that, for the most part, many Catholics don’t go to confession and that catechisis has been rather poor. Further, I think we all would agree that all priests should take the time to truely explain what the Eucharist is and its sacred laws. It seems to be the modern fashion for priests to talk about the holy Mass as simply a meal and that the only commandment is to “be nice.”

I don’t think we can agree on that. I know a lot of people that go to confession. And I hear about it regularly from the pulpit at my parish. Not a hell and brimstone type of thing but what a great sacrament it is. And I’m in Oregon…so I don’t know where you’re going…but I hear it almost once a week.

But none of us should judge other people because we do NOT know. Unless these people have come right out and told the OP. You don’t know if they go to another parish to confess or not. Is the OP saying that everyone commits a mortal sin at least twice a month? That’s odd because even a priest can’t tell you for sure if you committed a mortal sin…

I go once a month…it’s a great sacrament…but I don’t go once a month because I commited mortal sin–I’m usually in there confessing venial sins. Some other people may not feel the need to go as often.

I think instead of looking around and judging others…we should lovinly model what a grace it is…IMHO:shrug:

 

[Jegudiel]

WELL… I’d say it’s not judging, just using common sense.

Thousands at a parish… hardly anyone at confession but the same old ladies, hmm, I wonder?

Please, do the math on the issue of thousands of people confessing amidst the schedule of the diocesan priests in single, scheduled confessions. It’s impossible. We’re then left with two options:

1. these people are extremely holy against the trend of sin
2. they’re unworthily taking the Body and Blood of Christ.

I’m going with option 2.

Common sense just makes me.

It most certainly is judging. In any event things are not simple as you make them out to be.

I have heard many people say they went to confession EVERY Saturday while growing up. While that might be a laudable custom, I wouldn’t think that all of these people where actually committing mortal sins each and every week and doing so is what precludes someone from worthily receiving Holy Communion.

Could it be that some communicants today have a better understanding of what it takes to commit mortal sin?

There is even more to this if you stop and really ponder the situation.

 

[Daralharb]

It most certainly is judging. In any event things are not simple as you make them out to be.

I have heard many people say they went to confession EVERY Saturday while growing up. While that might be a laudable custom, I wouldn’t think that all of these people where actually committing mortal sins each and every week and doing so is what precludes someone from worthily receiving Holy Communion.

Could it be that some communicants today have a better understanding of what it takes to commit mortal sin?

There is even more to this if you stop and really ponder the situation.

Given the drastic lack of proper catechesis amongst Catholics, and outright rebellion from the Church’s social and moral teachings on many popular issues right now, I’d say your argument is paddling up Imaginary Creek and nearing Ridiculous Falls.

It could be though, especially given the total lack of need for Humanae Vitae, and the completely dumbfounded acceptance of it. Particularly of interest is the seeming boom of Catholic schools which service all ages from preschool to high school. This undoubtedly increases true Catholic education in proper formation of noble souls. I’m glad the public schools are seeing a loss to the orthodox Catholic education so prevalent and growing.

The total lack of scandal in the priesthood, unblemished in the public’s eye as it is, and ever stern in reiterating basic Catholic concepts also contributes to this generation of living Saints. What with the downfall of relativism, communism, Islam, and the abolishment of the practices of false-ecumenism, indifferentism, and syncretism in not only word but deed, it’s no wonder really.

The glaring truth of this reality is obviously found in the flocking of young men to the seminaries, women to the religious life, and the total removal of modern ideas, architecture, music, and language in the Mass.

Why, it’s almost so beautiful I can see it. In my dreams.

 

[Joannm]

On a related note, I asked a friend the other day if I should still go to Confession during Lent if I don’t have any mortal sins to confess. He was upset with me for insinuating that I didn’t currently have any mortal sins on my conscience and told me that, when I go, I could start with the lie I’d just told.

Does your friend know the state of your soul? Is it so hard to believe that a faithful Catholic has not committed a mortal sin in a long time? Perhaps your friend does not understand that 3 conditions are necessary for mortal sin to exist. Also, what does your friend consider a mortal sin? Some people think almost any sin is a mortal sin. Yes you may have committed something grave, like anger, but it may only be a venial sin given the circumstances. But to answer the question you asked your friend, yes you can and should go to confession even if you only have venial sins as you get the grace of the sacrament.

 

[agnes_therese]

:clapping:

Also, just because you don’t see them going to confession during that half hour once a week, doesn’t mean they never do. There are other priests that could hear their confession, or they schedule at another time.

Or they may go to confession at another parish. It’s not always your parish priest who is your spiritual director.

 

[Jenniferolg]

Our priest talks about mortal sin and reconcilliation ALL THE TIME! Some people hate it; most of us have gained a renewed sense of sin. He implemented a perpetual adoration chapel and it has made a huge difference in our parish. I recommend that the OP ask her priest to establish regular or perpetual adoration and folks will be moved by the Holy Spirit to seek forgiveness and holiness.

This Sunday, he talked about Lent and told us all about what he was doing for us during lent. We are reading the book “Rediscover Catholicism” by Matthew Kelly and he is lecturing about it every Wednesday evening. We are having the Stations of the Cross and confession every Friday evening to go along with the K of C fish fries. The kids are putting on the Passion Play as usual. He reminded everyone about the need to fast on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday and that all Fridays of lent are to be meatless at the pain of Mortal Sin. He said, “In other words, if you eat meat on Friday during Lent you have to go to confession!”

We have a giant parish confession session where he brings in 9 or 10 priests to hear confessions and the line is LONG. We do this twice a year. Whenever we have a visiting priest, he has him remind us of the confession times and the lines are very LONG. He also advetises the confession times at all the surrounding parishes. I think many people like to go to other priests for confession rather than the pastor.

Jennifer

 

[Spirithound]

I want to tell you how horrified I am by the custom of EVERYONE going to communion and receiving Our Lord in the Eucharist at Mass on Sunday! I go to confession…

The priest never goes over what makes a person worthy of Communion or not.

I am just horrified. Does anyone care anymore? These people think Communion is a right - or just a “thing” they do at church. They don’t care if they are not in a state of grace. It’s appalling!!!

Have you talked to your priest about this? Make suggestions for his preaching? Peace