Is it normal to go to mass but not receive communion?

[ProVobis]

That’s why I said “especially if they had the intention of rectifying the situation?”.

Okay, so I didn’t use the exact word “restitution”, but that’s what I meant.

I would include “with interest” too but since rates are so low these days…

 

[mick321]

in answer to thread title, yes
in answer to not receiving because you are conscious of venial sin, there is no need to refrain from receiving, and if you are not, there may be an element of scrupulosity that the priest could help you with. **To refrain means you are not aware of or giving credence to the healing power of the Eucharist and in fact frequent reception can help you battle those habits that can lead to venial sin and help you clean up your act, avoid those situations and people that you know are going to set you up for this stuff.
**
I live in a heavily Hispanic area and I notice no difference in the Spanish and English Masses, or from other areas of the country in frequency of reception. With one exception, here people in invalid marriages know they cannot receive and generally do not.

What if it doesn’t? What if giving credence to this theory has the exact opposite effect and results in a lax attitude toward sin? What should a person do when he recognizes the corrosive effect that it is having upon his soul?

Frequent Sacramental Confession is the obvious answer. But until then?

Do you see value in overcoming an ongoing pattern of sin before presenting oneself for Holy Communion?

 

[hartleymartin]

Learn to distinguish between Mortal and Venial sins. You must be free of mortal sin when receiving communion. It is good to confess and do penance for venial sin aswell, but it is not a requirement before receiving communion. A contrite heart will have a resolve to do your best to avoid sin as much as possible.

Do your best - but don’t beat yourself up for being less than perfect. I often joke that I’m a “practising catholic” and I need lots of practice because I’m not very good at it. In a way it really is quite true. Someone once told me that the church is a training camp for saints.

If you have a habitual sin (which quite a few people do), it is something that you need to work on, but don’t let it become the sole focus of your confessions. A habitual sin, can be a distraction from other issues going on in your life, where you need to invite God into your heart.

 

[ProVobis]

What if it doesn’t? What if giving credence to this theory has the exact opposite effect and results in a lax attitude toward sin? What should a person do when he recognizes the corrosive effect that it is having upon his soul?

Frequent Sacramental Confession is the obvious answer. But until then?

Do you see value in overcoming an ongoing pattern of sin before presenting oneself for Holy Communion?

Good points.

It seems as if prior to Vatican II there were almost as many in the confession lines on Saturday as those who were receiving the next day. Very different today and I most agree with your statement about developing a lax attitude toward sin.

 

[ProVobis]

Do your best - but don’t beat yourself up for being less than perfect.

Then what about this passage from St. Matthew:

{5:47} Et si salutaveritis fratres vestros tantum, quid amplius facitis? nonne et ethnici hoc faciunt?
{5:47} And if you greet only your brothers, what more have you done? Do not even the pagans behave this way?

{5:48} Estote ergo vos perfecti, sicut et pater vester cælestis perfectus est.
{5:48} Therefore, be perfect, even as your heavenly Father is perfect.”

 

[Incomplete]

Assuming you have a regular confessor (so he knows you), he’s the one to go to for advice on this.

 

[dailey]

If you’re not properly disposed, you’re better off not receiving. Not my rules.

Besides, I merely pointed out that you’re postponing the event, not giving up anything, unless the Church has made it mandatory that you receive twice per day every day, which it hasn’t.

Not only that but I know that in Polish communities, everyone is expected to go to Church, whether they’re divorced, cohabiting, or whatever. So it is good that these people not receive. This is what the OP asked, I think.

Okay, I’m confused? I thought we were talking about venial sins? If a person who attends mass is not receiving and has no mortal sins on their soul, then they are giving up a wonderful gift.

 

[dailey]

Then what about this passage from St. Matthew:

Nobody is perfect…but you probably already knew that!

 

[Snerticus]

Good points.

It seems as if prior to Vatican II there were almost as many in the confession lines on Saturday as those who were receiving the next day. Very different today and I most agree with your statement about developing a lax attitude toward sin.

I have to agree with you on this one. I’ve noticed this myself.

 

[Incomplete]

I agree about the lax attitude towards sin in general. But we don’t know if this applies to the OP. Which raises an interesting question.

By setting himself apart from God in the Eucharist, would it help him resist temptation (so he would receive again) or would he be missing those graces that can be so helpful?

That’s why I think the OP needs to talk to his confessor about this, assuming he goes to the same one most of the time so his priest knows him.

 

[ProVobis]

Okay, I’m confused? I thought we were talking about venial sins?

Yes, venial sins, but the OP has raised a legimate point, IMO. There are numerous number of venial sins most of us have committed (downloading even a small amount of unauthorized software or music, gossip, etc.) which we have not the slightest intent of rectifying or not even thought about rectifying. Chances are we have not even confessed many of them. So two questions here:

(1) At what point can these small sins amount to being a grave sin?

(2) Will sacramental communion automatically absolve all these venial sins, as has been implied?

The answer to the second question, I believe, is no. The answer to the first question seems to be subjective and left to one’s conscience it seems. However, I object to the nonchalant and cavalier attitude of those who dismiss the gravity of even “small” sins as simply not being grave enough to keep from us communion. Yes, Pope Pius X urged more frequent reception of communion but the Church also urges us to frequent confession more and live every day from sin as well so we would be worthy of receiving every day.

And where there is doubt, there is always spiritual communion which we can perform, as suggested by the catechism of Trent.

 

[Robert_Burns]

Im a young man who tries to go confession whenever I commit a mortal sin before receiving communion. However, now it is very hard for me to receive communion even after confession. This is because of all the venial sins I commit during the week including, profanity, laughing at sexual jokes at work with other men, not praying nightly, staring at women below the waist. Is it permissible to refrain from communion not just because of mortal sins but also because of venial sins?

Also I have heard that in some hispanic parishes communion is rarely received by the majority for any given sunday, with the exception of a few times a year. Is this true? I think its good.

People do not recieve Holy Communion for various reasons. Some havent kept the fast prior. Some have unrepented for vices they struggle with. Some are living at odds with the Churches teachings on various topics. And its better not to recieve when in doubt than to add to ones sins with the Sin of Sacrilege which will also have to be confessed eventually. But since we all are stewards of our own Soul - Its likewise better to deal with our own shortcomings than to worry about those of ones neighbor. We all have to work out our Salvation in fear and trembling as St Paul says to do. Holy Mother the Church does expect us to make our Easter Duty and the Easter Season comes right after the Holy Penitential Season of Lent. In addition we have Advent , though not as pentitential as Lent - it too is a somber period when Catholics are to reflect on the fact that GOD Sent his only begotten Son into the World so that we can be saved. So pray and reflect on the gifts GOD gives us all with reception of the Sacraments - and a Priest once told me - the more frequently one recieves the Sacraments the more easily sin is overcome. We should never fear the confessional or repenting our sins. If we didnt all fall from time to time we wouldnt have confessionals. They are there to help us overcome our shortcomings which we all have. So , meditate on these things with GOD because he is calling to you or you wouldnt have contributed such a good post.

Pax

 

[dailey]

Yes, venial sins, but the OP has raised a legimate point, IMO. There are numerous number of venial sins most of us have committed (downloading even a small amount of unauthorized software or music, gossip, etc.) which we have not the slightest intent of rectifying or not even thought about rectifying. Chances are we have not even confessed many of them. So two questions here:

(1) At what point can these small sins amount to being a grave sin?

(2) Will sacramental communion automatically absolve all these venial sins, as has been implied?

The answer to the second question, I believe, is no. The answer to the first question seems to be subjective and left to one’s conscience it seems. However, I object to the nonchalant and cavalier attitude of those who dismiss the gravity of even “small” sins as simply not being grave enough to keep from us communion. Yes, Pope Pius X urged more frequent reception of communion but the Church also urges us to frequent confession more and live every day from sin as well so we would be worthy of receiving every day.

And where there is doubt, there is always spiritual communion which we can perform, as suggested by the catechism of Trent.

I think the OP is thinking wayyy too much into this. We commit venial sins on a dailey basis. As long as we go to confession often and try to remember all of our sins, I think we will be just fine going to communion.

Also, can’t remember where I read this…but isn’t our “level” in heaven raised every time we receive? Anyone familair with this?

 

[Robert_Burns]

I think the OP is thinking wayyy too much into this. We commit venial sins on a dailey basis. As long as we go to confession often and try to remember all of our sins, I think we will be just fine going to communion.

Also, can’t remember where I read this…but isn’t our “level” in heaven raised every time we receive? Anyone familair with this?

I agree , provided we prepare properly for Our Confession not just show up and hurredly run into the confessional hoping we will somehow remember our sins with no forethought prior. I think confession is what you put into it. The Church publishes Examination of Conscience guides. In addition - those who develope the habit of a nightly examination of conscience become aware of their sins and thus prepare better for their next confession. Confession must also contain the entire elements of sorrow for repentance from and amendment of life , as well as the actual confession and doing the penance given.

We are just fine going to Holy Communion provided we have no mortal sins on our soul. Church teaching is clear on that point.

pax

 

[ProVobis]

Also, can’t remember where I read this…but isn’t our “level” in heaven raised every time we receive?

I think the worry should be on how to spend less time in purgatory.

 

[ProVobis]

No one asked but these are the three ways of communicating per Catechism of Trent:

Recipient of the Eucharist

Threefold Manner Of Communicating

That the faithful may learn to be zealous for the better gifts, they must be shown who can obtain these abundant fruits from the Holy Eucharist, must be reminded that there is not only one way of communicating. Wisely and rightly, then, did our predecessors in the faith, as we read in the Council of Trent, distinguish three ways of receiving this Sacrament.

Some receive it sacramentally only. Such are those sinners who do not fear to approach the holy mysteries with polluted lips and heart, who, as the Apostle says, eat and drink the Lord’s body unworthily. Of this class of communicants St. Augustine says: He who dwells not in Christ, and in whom Christ dwells not, most certainly does not eat spiritually His flesh, although carnally and visibly he press with his teeth the Sacrament of His flesh and blood. Those, therefore, who receive the sacred mysteries with such a disposition, not only obtain no fruit therefrom, but, as the Apostle himself testifies, eat and drink judgment to themselves.

Others are said to receive the Eucharist in spirit only. They are those who, inflamed with a lively faith which worketh by charity,’ partake in wish and desire of that celestial bread offered to them, from which** they receive, if not the entire, at least very great fruits**.

Lastly, there are some who receive the Holy Eucharist both sacramentally and spiritually, those who, according to the teaching of the Apostle, having first proved themselves and having approached this divine banquet adorned with the nuptial garment, derive from the Eucharist those **most abundant fruits **which we have already described. Hence it is clear that those who, having it in their power to receive with fitting preparation the Sacrament of the body of the Lord, are yet satisfied with a spiritual Communion only, deprive themselves of the greatest and most heavenly advantages.

catholicapologetics.info/thechurch/catechism/Holy7Sacraments-Eucharist.shtml

 

[rwoehmke]

(1) At what point can these small sins amount to being a grave sin?

While a raft of venial sins may predispose one to eventually commit mortal sin, they never add up to become a grave or mortal sin. It was exactly this general feeling of being unworthy to receive among the population that motivated Pius X to do what he did. The Eucharist is “medicine” for the soul, not a reward for perfection.

 

[ProVobis]

While a raft of venial sins may predispose one to eventually commit mortal sin, they never add up to become a grave or mortal sin.

I respectfully disagree with you there. If I steal $10 from the collection plate every Mass, pretty soon I’ve accumulated quite a bit of money, no? If I regularly small-gossip about a certain person, at some point his name becomes gravely smeared, no? Reinforcement is more dangerous than you might think.

 

[puzzleannie]

What if it doesn’t? What if giving credence to this theory has the exact opposite effect and results in a lax attitude toward sin? What should a person do when he recognizes the corrosive effect that it is having upon his soul?

Frequent Sacramental Confession is the obvious answer. But until then?

Do you see value in overcoming an ongoing pattern of sin before presenting oneself for Holy Communion?

yes I also see the value in frequent communion as reception and the prayers leading up to it absolve venial sin. I am concerned OP may develop scruples, a very damaging state, if he convinces himself he cannot receive when conscious of venial sin.

 

[ProVobis]

While a raft of venial sins may predispose one to eventually commit mortal sin, they never add up to become a grave or mortal sin.

I respectfully disagree with you there. If I steal $10 from the collection plate every Mass, pretty soon I’ve accumulated quite a bit of money, no? If I regularly small-gossip about a certain person, at some point his name becomes gravely smeared, no? Reinforcement is more dangerous than you might think. Sometimes it’s better to be scrupulous than not.