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ChibiViolet
Guest
Leon Bloy, I’ve already been corrected.
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Leon_Bloy
Guest
Sorry, I didn’t realize. I thought we were all just chipping our two cents in
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teachccd
Guest
You sound a bit scrupulous and should seek the advice of a priest. I find that on this forum many are quick to find fault with the priests and their advice. This is a VERY sensitive issue and there is no “black and white” when it comes to mortal sin. In reality only God knows if we truly are in that state and we can only give our best judgment of ourselves. The Sacrament of Reconciliation is very necessary and mortal sin is very real. However, we need to emphasize God’s love and mercy and realize that He is not here to condemn the world but to bring us to Him. We are all weak and struggle with sin and God knows that.
It was explained to me that the reason why we refrain from Communion after committing what we perceive to be a mortal sin is to show our respect for the Eucharist. When we ask for forgiveness, even from mortal sin, we are forgiven as long as we intend to go to confession as part of our repentance. It’s like my role as a father. When my kids did something really wrong I sent them to their room but I NEVER stopped loving them. As soon as they came out of their room and said that they were sorry all was said and done. While we believe ourselves to be in the state of mortal sin we are in “our room” so to speak but God continues to love us. Now, when my kids were in their room if it was dinner time they would not think of asking for dinner at that time. They knew that I love them but their respect prevented them from coming to the table. So it is with God.
Do not despair, my friend. There are many here ( not necessarily on this thread) that seem to never commit any sins but I am here to tell you that I do and I struggle everyday. I, too, never know when I should refrain from the Eucharist so I just do my best and God knows that. I never go if I feel almost certain that I committed a serious sin with full consent and even then I am not sure if I should have refrained. I just get to confession and then receive the Eucharist again. Only we can know where we are with God. When Adam and Eve sinned God came into the garden and asked, “Where are you?” It wasn’t because He couldn’t find them. It was because He wanted to know where they were with Him. Only we can answer God when He asks, “Where are you”. And our answer should help us determine whether or not we can receive Jesus in the Eucharist. Only we know if we are “in our room”…teachccd
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ChibiViolet
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There is “black and white” when it comes to mortal sin. Three conditions must be met: a sin must be of grave matter, the person committing it must know that it is of grave matter and give full consent. I do frequently commit mortal sin and that’s one thing I’m sure of whethor I’m scrupuous or not.
I know God loves me and am not despairing. I just think I’m probably going to Hell because I’m chronic mortal sinner.
I know God loves me and am not despairing. I just think I’m probably going to Hell because I’m chronic mortal sinner.
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teachccd
Guest
Ok. You do not want to hear what I have to say because your mind is all made up. I will pray for you. God bless… teachccd
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Vico
Guest
Note that Jim Blackburn,Catholic Answers Apologist, wrote on CAF in 2004:
The New Commentary on the Code of Cannon Law (p.1111) explains what may be considered “grave reason” and “no opportunity to confess”: “Grave resons for going to communion without confessing include danger of death and serious embarrassment if communion is not taken. Lack of opportunity to confess includes absence of a confessor, inability to approach the confessor at a scheduled time for the sacrament, and the availability only of a confessor who is known personally and who cannot be approached without embarrassment”.
Keep in mind that a person in this situation must still make an act of perfect contrition which includes the resolution of confessing as soon as possible. Also, understand that “celebrate Mass” is what the priest does; a person who is conscious of grave sin but does not have “grave reason” and “no opportunity to confess” may choose to attend Mass but forego receiving the Eucharist.
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ChibiViolet
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Ok. You do not want to hear what I have to say because your mind is all made up. I will pray for you. God bless… teachccd
It’s not a matter of “not wanting to hear what you have to say.” I read and understood what you said; I just disagree with it.
For one to beleive they are probably going to Hell is not despairing.
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ChibiViolet
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Thank you, Vico!
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ChibiViolet
Guest
Does a Perfect Act of Contrition really require one to have no attachment to sin–even venial ones? Is there an official teaching on it?
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ChibiViolet
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teachccd, I didn’t mean I disagreed with all of it–only some of it.
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jinc1019
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I will pray for you and hope you find the answers you need…but just know, God doesn’t turn His back on those who are truly trying. Only God can truly judge you.
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Vico
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From the Catechism of the Catholic Church:
VII. THE ACTS OF THE PENITENT
1450 "Penance requires . . . the sinner to endure all things willingly, be contrite of heart, confess with the lips, and practice complete humility and fruitful satisfaction."49
Contrition
1451 Among the penitent’s acts contrition occupies first place. Contrition is "sorrow of the soul and detestation for the sin committed, together with the resolution not to sin again."50
1452 When it arises from a love by which God is loved above all else, contrition is called “perfect” (contrition of charity). Such contrition remits venial sins; it also obtains forgiveness of mortal sins if it includes the firm resolution to have recourse to sacramental confession as soon as possible.51
1453 The contrition called “imperfect” (or “attrition”) is also a gift of God, a prompting of the Holy Spirit. It is born of the consideration of sin’s ugliness or the fear of eternal damnation and the other penalties threatening the sinner (contrition of fear). Such a stirring of conscience can initiate an interior process which, under the prompting of grace, will be brought to completion by sacramental absolution. By itself however, imperfect contrition cannot obtain the forgiveness of grave sins, but it disposes one to obtain forgiveness in the sacrament of Penance.52
1454 The reception of this sacrament ought to be prepared for by an *examination of conscience *made in the light of the Word of God. The passages best suited to this can be found in the Ten Commandments, the moral catechesis of the Gospels and the apostolic Letters, such as the Sermon on the Mount and the apostolic teachings.53
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ChibiViolet
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Also, thank you teachccd, for praying for me. I’m sorry if I offended you. Also, thank you jinc1019 for your prayers. I do actually commit an awful lot of mortal sins; I try not to though.
Thank you again, Vico, for your clarification. Does “sin” in this context refer to mortal sin? I know that in certain instances “sin” refers only to mortal sin.
Thank you again, Vico, for your clarification. Does “sin” in this context refer to mortal sin? I know that in certain instances “sin” refers only to mortal sin.
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Vico
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Well mortal and venial are the two species. Grave is equated with mortal, or serious sins. As CCC stated: Such [perfect] contrition remits venial sins; it also obtains forgiveness of mortal sins if it includes the firm resolution to have recourse to sacramental confession as soon as possible.
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teachccd
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Of course and that is understandable or you wouldn’t be here. Maybe you could PM me with only those points of disagreement and I can help you discern the contrast between our differing points of view. I am only here to help and not to upset anyone. God bless you… teachccd
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teachccd
Guest
You did not offend me in any way. Frustration can cause all kinds of responses and I know that first hand. So, please, do not apologize for just wanting to find peace in your life. God bless…teachccd
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ChibiViolet
Guest
Yes, I know. Still in certain instances “sin” does only refer to mortal sin (I know this is not the case usually.) Anyway, I’m still confused about how to make a perfect Act of Contrition as I don’t know if I need to be sorry for all of my sins, including the venial ones.
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Leon_Bloy
Guest
The “welcome to the table” mentality is dangerous because it tries to make the Church’s law regarding receiving only in a state of grace into “you’re leaving grandma out in the cold knocking on the door at Thanksgiving dinner” or some such.
It is an altar, where we receive the fruit of the sacrifice offered by the priest - the sacrifice of the mass instituted and commanded by Christ.
It is an altar, where we receive the fruit of the sacrifice offered by the priest - the sacrifice of the mass instituted and commanded by Christ.
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Vico
Guest
For reception of Holy Communion, it is the grave (mortal) sins that one must have perfect contrition for, because those are the ones that are the ones that require private confession. What does this mean? Note # 400 from the older Baltimore Catechism No. 3. It means that when we are “sorry for our sins because they are hateful in themselves or because we fear God’s punishment”, but not including that the “sin offends God, whom we love above all things for His own sake”.
Some other help is given in the CCC 1459 “Without being strictly necessary, confession of everyday faults (venial sins) is nevertheless strongly recommended by the Church. …” and CCC 1472 “… every sin, even venial, entails an unhealthy attachment to creatures, which must be purified either here on earth, or after death …”.
So you can understand that we need to break those attachments to sinful activities. When we turn away from sin because of fear of the results, we may still remain attached. When we turn away from sin for the love of God it is a personal expression of love for God, so we actually want to be detached from sin, motivated by our love, even it we are not completely detached. It is through grace (Holy Spirit) that we even have the capability to do this. We receive in baptism the virtues of faith, hope, and charity. Even though we loose our charity through serious sin, God helps us to restore it once again, yet we must cooperate, and that cooperation can be imperfect or perfect. See # 399 below Psalm 50:12.
**398. How many kinds of contrition are there? **
There are two kinds of contrition: perfect contrition and imperfect contrition.
**399. When is our contrition perfect? **
Our contrition is perfect when we are sorry for our sins because sin offends God, whom we love above all things for His own sake.
*Create a pure heart for me, O God, and renew in me a steadfast spirit. (Psalm 50:12) *
**400. When is our contrition imperfect? **
Our contrition is imperfect when we are sorry for our sins because they are hateful in themselves or because we fear God’s punishment.
*And the children of Israel said to the Lord, “We have sinned. Do thou unto us whatsoever pleaseth thee, only deliver us this time.” (Judges 10:15) *
**401. To receive the sacrament of Penance worthily, what kind of contrition is sufficient? **
To receive the sacrament of Penance worthily, imperfect contrition is sufficient.
**402. Should we always try to have perfect contrition in the sacrament of Penance? **
We should always try to have perfect contrition in the sacrament of Penance because perfect contrition is more pleasing to God, and because with His help we can always have it.
**403. How can a person in mortal sin regain the state of grace before receiving the sacrament of Penance? **
A person in mortal sin can regain the state of grace before receiving the sacrament of Penance by making an act of perfect contrition with the sincere purpose of going to confession.
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ChibiViolet
Guest
Thank you, Vico.
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