I'm homebound and my Priest comes to give me Communion and won't hear my confession

[pianistclare]

OP…you are one of the persons who can legitimately watch the Mass on TV and have it be “acceptable” due to your circumstance of illness.

Watch a televised Mass.
Prepare for it as you would if you were attending in person.
Observe the hour fast.
Enter into the prayers fervently.
Pray the Spiritual Communion prayer during communion time.
Pray the Act of Contrition nightly.
Pray the Morning Offering Prayer daily.
God knows your holy intent and your heart.

With God’s help, one day you may be able to return to full vigor
and attend Mass and Confession on your own terms.
Be thankful for the priest that come to visit.
Ask him to make time to come for more than just a short while, so that you can talk and ask him some questions about your spiritual life. He’ll understand. If he truly is very stretched for time and opportunity, ask him to please send to you a Deacon for a visit. At least you would have someone to answer your questions and concerns based on their knowledge of your personal situation. We’re your friends here…but we really don’t have all the details that make your case unique.
Be at peace…

 

[dshix]

OP…you are one of the persons who can legitimately watch the Mass on TV and have it be “acceptable” due to your circumstance of illness.

Watch a televised Mass.
Prepare for it as you would if you were attending in person.
Observe the hour fast.
Enter into the prayers fervently.
Pray the Spiritual Communion prayer during communion time.
Pray the Act of Contrition nightly.
Pray the Morning Offering Prayer daily.
God knows your holy intent and your heart.

With God’s help, one day you may be able to return to full vigor
and attend Mass and Confession on your own terms.
Be thankful for the priest that come to visit.
Ask him to make time to come for more than just a short while, so that you can talk and ask him some questions about your spiritual life. He’ll understand. If he truly is very stretched for time and opportunity, ask him to please send to you a Deacon for a visit. At least you would have someone to answer your questions and concerns based on their knowledge of your personal situation. We’re your friends here…but we really don’t have all the details that make your case unique.
Be at peace…

That’s a nice devotion when sick, but it isn’t going to mass. It does not fulfill the obligation.

A person who is unable to physically attend mass is dispensed from his obligation. That’s that. If that person would like to watch a televised mass and make a spiritual communion, that is wonderful, but the obligation to attend mass (which has been dispensed) is not fulfilled.

 

[pianistclare]

That’s a nice devotion when sick, but it isn’t going to mass. It does not fulfill the obligation.

A person who is unable to physically attend mass is dispensed from his obligation. That’s that. If that person would like to watch a televised mass and make a spiritual communion, that is wonderful, but the obligation to attend mass (which has been dispensed) is not fulfilled.

Sheesh. I didn’t say it was. The woman is HOMEBOUND.
No one said televised Mass takes the place of anything.

 

[Elizium23]

That’s a nice devotion when sick, but it isn’t going to mass. It does not fulfill the obligation.

A person who is unable to physically attend mass is dispensed from his obligation. That’s that. If that person would like to watch a televised mass and make a spiritual communion, that is wonderful, but the obligation to attend mass (which has been dispensed) is not fulfilled.

Actually there is no dispensation. A dispensation is permission to derogate from the law granted by competent authority. Nothing needs to be granted here. Therefore the obligation does not exist. A nonexistent thing does not need to be dispensed.

 

[dshix]

Actually there is no dispensation. A dispensation is permission to derogate from the law granted by competent authority. Nothing needs to be granted here. Therefore the obligation does not exist. A nonexistent thing does not need to be dispensed.

What you are saying does not make sense. I did not say that a person need receive a dispensation from local parochial authority. I said that a person who is unable to attend mass is dispensed from his obligation. That is, his obligation no longer exists.

Are you disagreeing with the meaning of what I said or being pedantic about vocabulary?

 

[Memaw]

Sheesh. I didn’t say it was. The woman is HOMEBOUND.
No one said televised Mass takes the place of anything.

But I am thankful they have televised Masses for the homebound. They can still say the prayers. place themselves their in spirt, and a Spiritual communion is gracefillled too .My Aunt is nearly 90 years old and she loves watching daily Mass on EWTN. If it wasn’t for that she would be out of touch with the Mass. They do bring her Communion once a week. God Bless, Memaw

 

[Elizium23]

What you are saying does not make sense. I did not say that a person need receive a dispensation from local parochial authority. I said that a person who is unable to attend mass is dispensed from his obligation. That is, his obligation no longer exists.

Are you disagreeing with the meaning of what I said or being pedantic about vocabulary?

Your vocabulary is incorrect. There is no dispensation, because there is no obligation. Don’t use the word “dispensation” if you don’t mean “dispensation”.

 

[PHSshamrock]

I’m so sorry that you are in this situation! How awful to not be able to attend the Sacraments regularly. Perhaps you could call the Church and ask if Fr. could make time for a meeting with you (in your home). You could discuss the problems you face with Confession and also how much it would mean to you if you could attend Mass now and then. Maybe you two could brainstorm some solutions? Perhaps Father or the Secretary could pick you up for Mass. Obviously this would be a bit of a hassle, and so it might not be able to happen very frequently, but now and again is better than never. You might even be able to arrange it so that you are brought to Mass on the occasional Saturday, then you could go to Confession too!

But even if this doesn’t work out, know that the Lord loves you! Offer your suffering up to Him. Surely you are working off a lot of your purgatory time with your disability and inability to leave your home! Stay close to the Lord through this all. He WILL take care of you! God bless!

 

[Brendan_64]

If the penitent is properly disposed and has requested confession at a reasonable time, then the penitent has the right to have his confession heard. It is not about whether or not it is convenient for the priest to do so. You have the right to confession, so long as your request is reasonable, regardless of whether or not it is inconvenient for the priest to gice you confession at that time.

 

[randirhoades]

If the penitent is properly disposed and has requested confession at a reasonable time, then the penitent has the right to have his confession heard. It is not about whether or not it is convenient for the priest to do so. You have the right to confession, so long as your request is reasonable, regardless of whether or not it is inconvenient for the priest to gice you confession at that time.

Hi and God bless you,

My Priest comes once a month to all shut-ins. I am thus. I broke my neck and more. Anyway, Father makes a day of it. I’ve asked him to hear my confession and he says he doesn’t think I have to. That’s what I’ve been told. I’m going to call the Church to ask for more time next month so He will hear me when he comes. Someone nicely suggested that. I also believe going to confession Once a month should be an obligation and was taught that too.

I also believe that if a Person asks for a confession, he or she should be heard. That is a Sacrament and if a Priest is too busy then lighten up some of his duties, yet, again I said he comes once a month to do this. I’ve also never called for him to come. His staff calls me each and every time and asks if I want Father to come visit me. (Someone said I may be overzealous in asking for Communion. I’m paraphrasing so I defended myself.)

I also believe that if a person asked for a Priest to come every week, I assume they have a good reason. (Mortal sin they need to confess or?) What is wrong with that too? That is between, the Priest, the Person and God. I would never make a rash judgement on that or say anything about it. It’s judging. What did God say about judging? Further, we never know what they are going through. Not saying you are rash just stating my opinion.

Plus, I will be 59 years old in April and in Catechism, we were taught to confess Then receive the Eucharist. And only then could you receive the Body of Christ.

Also, I am old enough to remember females had to cover their heads at Mass. I had to do it as a child and if we couldn’t find our head scarf, my Mom would cover our heads with a Kleenex and attach it with a bobby pin. I was humiliated to walk in Church like that to say the least. Probably as an Adult I wouldn’t be. Weeelllll then again…lol

There have been lots of changes in the Catholic Church.

Thank you for responding Friend.

 

[ProVobis]

Anyway, Father makes a day of it. I’ve asked him to hear my confession and he says he doesn’t think I have to.

That’s unfortunate. I am still of the old school where you don’t take communion without confession (or at least after a thorough examination of conscience). This mortal sin thing can get quite fuzzy. I can’t see teaching kids not to confess lying, disobedience to parents, stealing, cheating, gossiping, bullying and other antisocial and anti-10-commandment behavior. And if it’s wrong as a kid, it should be just as wrong (if not more so) as an adult.

 

[randirhoades]

That’s unfortunate. I am still of the old school where you don’t take communion without confession (or at least after a thorough examination of conscience). This mortal sin thing can get quite fuzzy. I can’t see teaching kids not to confess lying, disobedience to parents, stealing, cheating, gossiping, bullying and other antisocial and anti-10-commandment behavior. And if it’s wrong as a kid, it should be just as wrong (if not more so) as an adult.

Great words to use, “Old School”. That is what we were taught and was trying to express it here. No confession, no Eucharist. I have always and for years did that formula and don’t feel right receiving the Eucharist without Confessing. In place, what I do is say the, “Act of Contrition”, before taking the Body of Christ. But, I still don’t feel right.

I agree about cheating and other things you said. Those things should be confessed and bullying as an Adult, in IMO, can be even more cruel and devastating.

God Bless you.

 

[rfournier103]

I am lucky enough to belong to a parish where the priests never say “no” to a Confession.

Confession is one of those things where you can never really have enough of it. Always better to be safe than sorry; and I think that if more people knew about 1 Corinthians 11:27 there would be a far greater demand for Confessions.

 

[ccmcmg]

Great words to use, “Old School”. That is what we were taught and was trying to express it here. No confession, no Eucharist. I have always and for years did that formula and don’t feel right receiving the Eucharist without Confessing. In place, what I do is say the, “Act of Contrition”, before taking the Body of Christ. But, I still don’t feel right.

I agree about cheating and other things you said. Those things should be confessed and bullying as an Adult, in IMO, can be even more cruel and devastating.

God Bless you.

Doesn’t this cover venial sins? The beginning of Mass? “Lord have Mercy…” “I confess…”, and before Communion, “Lord, I’m not worthy to receive you…”

However, I’ve started using a prayer of Humility before heading up to Communion.

 

[ProVobis]

Doesn’t this cover venial sins? The beginning of Mass? “Lord have Mercy…” “I confess…”, and before Communion, “Lord, I’m not worthy to receive you…”

However, I’ve started using a prayer of Humility before heading up to Communion.

Those are good but those aren’t sacraments.

And plenary indulgences are granted for all sins under the conditions of both confession and communion.

 

[ccmcmg]

Those are good but those aren’t sacraments.

That is true.
But if someone is not going to Communion because of unforgiven/unconfessed sins, don’t these prayers during Mass cover that, and would allow one to receive the Eucharist? (For venial sins only)

I’m a regular visitor to the Confessional (no less than twice monthly, sometimes 4 times), and I encourage others to do so as well, when appropriate. One should avail oneself of the sacraments regularly and appropriately.