Mortal Sin

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If a Catholic commits mortal sin and does not have access to confession, until then, is it enough to pray to God for forgiveness?
 
You would also need to make a commitment not to do it again. And go to confession when you are able to again.
 
CCC

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.

Peace
 
hazcompat said:
CCC

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.

Thank you for the post.

Peace
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If a Catholic commits mortal sin and does not have access to confession, until then, is it enough to pray to God for forgiveness?
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Pray the Act of Contrition with a contrite heart and go to confession as soon as possible.
 
I worry about going to confession with one younger Priest. At first I felt very positive confessing my sins to him. But one time he got a little angry and now I worry about going to confession when he is there… Should a Priest get angry?
 
MainBrain said:
I worry about going to confession with one younger Priest. At first I felt very positive confessing my sins to him. But one time he got a little angry and now I worry about going to confession when he is there… Should a Priest get angry?
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lion on the pulpit lamb in the confessional

We cannot really comment on this situation as we were not there; however, even a very good confessor can have an “off day.” He could have been sick, maybe he was up all night with a grieving family, maybe he has sleep-apnea that isn’t known or well treated yet, maybe - poor training. He maybe acting in persona Christi yet, he’s still human.

Pray for him that age and experience will help him to help Love the Lord’s people more fully.

Go behind the screen instead of face to face.
This Sacrament is not about the priest. it is solely between you and God.
 
MainBrain said:
I worry about going to confession with one younger Priest. At first I felt very positive confessing my sins to him. But one time he got a little angry and now I worry about going to confession when he is there… Should a Priest get angry?
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They are human, so yes, a priest can get angry, but they shouldn’t be yelling at someone in the confessional. But if I were a priest (and God knew better than to make me one), I would get angry at some of the things people told me they did in the confessional. Most of the priests I’ve confessed to, though, have long gotten past being shocked or angry at people’s sins–they have heard it all and are able to hear confessions with detachment. Maybe this one just needs a little maturity.

I understand your feelings, though, because once a priest got angry with me in the confessional and what I confessed wasn’t even that bad, and I was angry with him, though he didn’t know it. The next day I went to dinner at a friend’s house, and he was there for dinner also! My worst nightmare, although he never gave a hint that He had ever laid eyes on me.
 
CB_Catholic said:
My worst nightmare, although he never gave a hint that He had ever laid eyes on me.
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In a large parish, after 100+ confessions, he most likely didn’t remember 🙂
My Pastor asked me once when was the last time I had gone to confession, I had, just a few day before, with him - he just couldn’t remember!

TBH - I do normally go to a different church for confession just to avoid my awkwardness when we are at dinner, graduation or a birthday party, etc… and Fr. shows up on an invitation; however, that’s my problem and not the priest’s.
 
From the Catechism of the Catholic Church;
Only God forgives sin
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1441 Only God forgives sins.39 Since he is the Son of God, Jesus says of himself, “The Son of man has authority on earth to forgive sins” and exercises this divine power: "Your sins are forgiven."40 Further, by virtue of his divine authority he gives this power to men to exercise in his name.
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Jesus gave apostles and their successors to power to forgive sins, but this does not exclude God’s forgiveness to those who turn to Him with contrite hearts.

Confession reconciles us with the Church, but a person must first turn to God and ask for forgiveness, otherwise the sacrament becomes merely an object of superstition.

We receive God’s grace from the Sacrament, but when it’s not available for us, God gives us grace in his own way.

Jim
 
JimR-OCDS said:
From the Catechism of the Catholic Church;

Jesus gave apostles and their successors to power to forgive sins, but this does not exclude God’s forgiveness to those who turn to Him with contrite hearts.

Confession reconciles us with the Church, but a person must first turn to God and ask for forgiveness, otherwise the sacrament becomes merely an object of superstition.

We receive God’s grace from the Sacrament, but when it’s not available for us, God gives us grace in his own way.

Jim
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That’s a powerful and profound way of putting it. Thank you.

I have also learned from Catholic Answers that "God works though his sacraments but is not ‘bound’ to His sacraments.
 
I was confessing my sins every second day
and I was TRYING not to bother the priest
too much, and even going to another church
to confess, fortunately a NEWly ordained
priest is helping out at my parish and I am
seeking him out now.
 
JimR-OCDS said:
From the Catechism of the Catholic Church;

Jesus gave apostles and their successors to power to forgive sins, but this does not exclude God’s forgiveness to those who turn to Him with contrite hearts.

Confession reconciles us with the Church, but a person must first turn to God and ask for forgiveness, otherwise the sacrament becomes merely an object of superstition.

We receive God’s grace from the Sacrament, but when it’s not available for us, God gives us grace in his own way.

Jim
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You hit the nail on the head.
 
GLam8833 said:
I was confessing my sins every second day
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Perhaps you should also seek out a spiritual advisor - ask you Pastor or contact the chancery office for some guidance in choosing one that will help guide you.
 
I went to Church for confession today. However, I was not sure the Priest was the one who got angry with me once before so I did not go through with confession. 😦 Bad, I know. Instead I went right on ahead with the same sinful struggle I have been having for years. Pray for me.
 
MainBrain said:
I went to Church for confession today. However, I was not sure the Priest was the one who got angry with me once before so I did not go through with confession. 😦 Bad, I know. Instead I went right on ahead with the same sinful struggle I have been having for years. Pray for me.
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I keep a Holy Hour, you’re in my prayers.
Forgive yourself
Then please try again to go and please don’t worry too much about the priest. He’s most likely forgotten he entire episode, especially if you didn’t go face-to-face.
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As I’ve said before, this isn’t about the priest, it’s about your relationship with God and that is more important than the priest. Besides, you can offer the discomfort you feel as part of your penance. 🙂
 
Once again, today just like last week, I did not go to confession because the priest who got annoyed at me a few years ago was there. I really want to go to confession but I just feel very vulnerable confessing this particular sin to this priest. I know this is not good.
 
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