Is it a sin if I miss a day of the Divine Mercy Novena during Good Friday until the end of the 9 days?

[ResoluteSheep]

Would this be a sin? I doubt we are obliged to pray this, but I’ve already missed 3 days now

 

[pensmama87]

Would this be a sin? I doubt we are obliged to pray this, but I’ve already missed 3 days now

Novenas are private devotions, not obligatory at ALL.

If it’s not an obligation, how can it be sinful to not do it?

 

[dshix]

Would this be a sin? I doubt we are obliged to pray this, but I’ve already missed 3 days now

You answered your own question, by saying that you doubt we are obliged to pray this.

You are correct: there is no obligation to pray the Divine Mercy Novena.

 

[Edmundus1581]

You answered your own question, by saying that you doubt we are obliged to pray this.

:yup:

This may seem an odd question to us who are used to affirming that no particular devotion is obliged, and hence there is no sin in not performing it.

However, I recall from my earlier days in the Catholic Church some enthusiastic individuals (both cleric and lay) blurring the distinction between obligations and voluntary devotions. Such used to be found in official looking pamphlets and, presumably, is now in some web sites.

It seems these influences are still present.

Just trying to understand why the OP thought this might possibly be a sin.

To ResoluteSheep: Well done in attempting to say the novena! Just keep doing your best. I missed the third day (Sunday).

 

[ResoluteSheep]

Novenas are private devotions, not obligatory at ALL.

If it’s not an obligation, how can it be sinful to not do it?

The sin of laziness is the first thing that pops to mind in my head, usually. But i’m not too sure about this

 

[dshix]

The sin of laziness is the first thing that pops to mind in my head, usually. But i’m not too sure about this

What are you talking about, the “sin of laziness”? That’s not objectively a sin, it’s an imperfection.

 

[Roseeurekacross]

The Novena is a private devotion. It is NOT required for the Indulgence by Papal Decree or the complete forgiveness offered this Sunday by our Lord Jesus Christ.

Jesus Christ requires Mercy, acts of Mercy. It is better you pray one Our Father for the intentions of Mercy. Or part of the Prayer

For the sake of His sorrowful Passion have mercy on us.

Are you going to follow the Divine Mercy Devotion this Sunday?

 

[Edmundus1581]

This was simple, with the answer that the novena is not an obligation, but now it’s got a little more complex.

The sin of laziness is the first thing that pops to mind in my head, usually. But i’m not too sure about this

I agree with you on the principle here. If we fail to do something we ought to do then there may be a sin of laziness (or “sloth”), and it is worth including in our examination of conscience before confession.

We are certainly obliged to say some prayers. The amount and nature of our prayers varies according to our state in life and is at our own discretion. Hence there is no strict obligation to say any particular devotion, such as the Divine Mercy Novena, and hence no sin in itself in failing to complete it, however the reason for the failure may be sinful, such as laziness, self indulgence, time wasting on facebook, etc. and that may be something to bring to the confessional.

This examination of conscience may help.

fatherdylanjames.blogspot.com.au/2009/03/examination-of-conscience-based-on-7.html?m=1

However, don’t start with the assumption that you have already sinned (somehow) in missing part of a novena. You haven’t.