Is This True?

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I read somewhere that if one is in a state of mortal sin, they can’t celebrate Mass. True or false, and if it’s true, what does it mean?
 
S_V7 said:
I read somewhere that if one is in a state of mortal sin, they can’t celebrate Mass. True or false, and if it’s true, what does it mean?
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If you are in a state of mortal sin, you cannot receive Communion, you may still attend mass.
 
In addition, you are still obligated to attend Mass. Although you cannot receive the Eucharist in a state of mortal sin, you are invited to take part in a Spiritual Communion of prayer.
 
Priests can still celebrate Mass. There was actually a problem in the Middle Ages when the words of institution were said in a low voice no one can hear. Priests in a state of mortal sin would omit the words of consecration so that wouldn’t have to partake sacriligiously. Instead they offered the people simple bread to adore. This was deemed by Pope Innocent III (and also God Father said this to St. Catherine of Siena) a worse sacrlige than actually partaking in mortal sin.
 
S_V7 said:
I read somewhere that if one is in a state of mortal sin, they can’t celebrate Mass. True or false, and if it’s true, what does it mean?
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Are you talking about a person attending Mass or a Priest celebrating the Mass? If you are talking about the priest, the state of his soul has no bearing on whether or not he can validly consecrate the bread and wine.
 
The only person who “celebrates” Mass is a priest, so this prohibition does not apply to lay people like you and me. What you refer to is meant to underscore the importance of a priest’s confessing if at all possible before celebrating Mass if he is in a state of mortal sin.

Lay people are obligated to attend Mass on Sundays and Holy Days, whether in mortal sin or not. If you are in mortal sin, you simply refrain from receiving Holy Communion.

Betsy
 
A priest in a state of mortal sin should not celebrate Mass except for grave reason and if he has no opportunity to confess.
Can. 909 A priest is not to omit dutifully to prepare himself by prayer before the celebration of the Eucharist, nor afterwards to omit to make thanksgiving to God.
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Can. 916 Anyone who is conscious of grave sin may not celebrate Mass or receive the Body of the Lord without previously having been to sacramental confession, unless there is a grave reason and there is no opportunity to confess; in this case the person is to remember the obligation to make an act of perfect contrition, which includes the resolve to go to confession as soon as possible.
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tee
 
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