Necessity of Confession and Confirmation

[Black_Jaque]

Are Confession and Confirmation necessary sacraments?

I know someone who receives Communion but hasn’t gone to Confession for as long as I’ve known them (over 10 years). I know for a fact that they’ve committed mortal sins (I used to hang out and commit the same sins with that person).

Also, I’ve asked them why they never bother to get Confirmed and got a rather snappy reply that shut the conversation down abruptly. I wasn’t accusatory, just wanted to know what was stopping them, or what was “in the way”. The response I got left me with the understanding that they didn’t think Confession and Confirmation were necessary. Something along the lines of, “Those may have been right for you.”

 

[mommyof4]

I can’t say for certain if confirmation is an absolute “necessity,” but I feel comfortable saying that confession is an absolute necessity when 1) a person has committed a mortal sin, and 2) the Church requires that we go at least yearly, at Easter time, if I’m not mistaken.

 

[rpp]

Confirmation complete the Rite of Initiation as well as brining the Holy Spirit (I think).

Confession is **only **required by people who commit actual sins after they have been baptized. (That pretty much includes everybody! )

 

[leonie]

confirmation is not necessary for salvation, but it is more difficult to obtain salvation without it.

It is almost impossible to acheive heroic virtue without it.

confession is necessary to remove mortal sin unless you have perfect contrition.

your friend is in trouble, I think. Maybe the Holy Spirit will open up another opportunity to talk about this.

Of course, confirmation is required for matrimony. Maybe he’ll complete his sacraments at that time. Hopefully, he won’t die before.

 

[teachccd]

Are Confession and Confirmation necessary sacraments?

I know someone who receives Communion but hasn’t gone to Confession for as long as I’ve known them (over 10 years). I know for a fact that they’ve committed mortal sins (I used to hang out and commit the same sins with that person).

Also, I’ve asked them why they never bother to get Confirmed and got a rather snappy reply that shut the conversation down abruptly. I wasn’t accusatory, just wanted to know what was stopping them, or what was “in the way”. The response I got left me with the understanding that they didn’t think Confession and Confirmation were necessary. Something along the lines of, “Those may have been right for you.”

First let’s clear the plate of one thing. No one but God knows whether someone is in the state of mortal sin. There is known grave matter but mortal sin requires three criteria and only God can judge.

Confirmation, as stated above, is a Sacrament of Initiation. Theologically speaking it should be received prior to making your first Communion although in many instances that is not the case. Confirmation allows one to receive a comissioning by the Holy Spirit much in the same way that the disciples did on the first Pentecost. In order to be a Godparent at a baptism you must be confirmed. While your salvation is not hinged on this sacrament I cannot see why anyone would not want to receive the immense graces dispensed by the Holy Spirit.

Reconciliation or Confession is necessary when someone accuses themselves of mortal sin. This is the ordinary way to be absolved. A person may make an act of perfect contrition which is sorrow directed only at your immense love for God and no fear of punishment. A private confession must be promised to God as soon as possible. Absolution received in Confession is the only sure way of knowing that your sin has been forgiven. See John 20:19-23 Many of us feel sorrow after committing a mortal sin but still fear the consequence of punishment. this sorrow is known as attrition and does not remit mortal sin.

As far as your friend goes, be an example. Let him know how you feel after leaving the confessional. Examples speak louder than words especially with your peers. And last but definitely not least, pray for him. Prayer moves us closer to God and leaves us as the best examples for those who are lost. God Bless You…

 

[Black_Jaque]

But isn’t Confirmation a sort of commitment to God, a “fiat” if you will?

God asks us to pledge our allegience to him. Confirmation is the “normal” means of making that pledge. Therefore refusing Confirmation is akin to refusing to follow God. This of course assumes there is no hurdles in the way. For example, if the person refused Confirmation because they were not yet convinced that the Catholic Church was THE Church…

If a man proposes to a woman, and she neither says “yes” nor says “no”, there comes a time when it would be perfectly OK for him to dump her and seek another mate. It’s slightly different in that you have until death to make your decision regarding being Christian.

I’m just wondering though, if there is nothing theological standing in the way of you being confirmed, is refusal to get confirmed a sort of “no” to God?

 

[teachccd]

But isn’t Confirmation a sort of commitment to God, a “fiat” if you will?

I’m just wondering though, if there is nothing theological standing in the way of you being confirmed, is refusal to get confirmed a sort of “no” to God?

If someone were to consciously refuse to be confirmed then that would be a “no” to God. All sacraments are encounters with God. To willfully reject this encounter with the Holy Spirit would be a rejection of the fullness of Christian initiation and would be problematic. But remember, due to a severe lack of catechesis within our Church, many people are not confirmed because they either “didn’t get around to it” or don’t see its neccessity. So, as always, judgement is left to God.

 

[rpp]

If someone were to consciously refuse to be confirmed then that would be a “no” to God. All sacraments are encounters with God. To willfully reject this encounter with the Holy Spirit would be a rejection of the fullness of Christian initiation and would be problematic. But remember, due to a severe lack of catechesis within our Church, many people are not confirmed because they either “didn’t get around to it” or don’t see its neccessity. So, as always, judgement is left to God.

Belief is an affirmative act. It requires an external declaration. Like the previous poster example with a marriage proposal, if the answer given is neither “yes” nor “no”, then the status quo, the current situation is maintained. In the example, the result is no marriage. The same if the would-be bride had said no.

Yes, poor catechesis can lead people to make mistakes and errors in judgment. Likewaise so can heresy and apostasy. I suspect that there are many well-meaning followers of apostates and heretic who will populate Hell.

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

Are Confession and Confirmation necessary sacraments?

I know someone who receives Communion but hasn’t gone to Confession for as long as I’ve known them (over 10 years). I know for a fact that they’ve committed mortal sins (I used to hang out and commit the same sins with that person).

Also, I’ve asked them why they never bother to get Confirmed and got a rather snappy reply that shut the conversation down abruptly. I wasn’t accusatory, just wanted to know what was stopping them, or what was “in the way”. The response I got left me with the understanding that they didn’t think Confession and Confirmation were necessary. Something along the lines of, “Those may have been right for you.”

A person does not complete their initiation into the Catholic Faith until they have received the three Sacraments of Baptism, Holy Communion and Confirmation. The Church says however the only Sacrament necessary for salvation is Baptism. Without Baptism salvation is uncertain. With Baptism salvation is certain until the age of reason. After which the person is responsible for maintaining their own soul in a State of Grace. Dying outside of a State of Grace, with unrepentant mortal sins, is not a good thing to do. The only normal means of having mortal sins forgiven is through the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

 

[Black_Jaque]

Without Baptism salvation is uncertain.

Could you say that salvation is simply not possible?

Before you get all over me with examples of innocent people who never had the chance to learn about Jesus, let me clarify.

We’ve been told that Baptism is necessary. But if you look in the CCC there are possibly 3 forms of Baptism. One is ordinary the other two, extraordinary. But in order to be saved one must have at least one of the three Baptisms.

Baptism by water is the ordinary means of Baptism into the Christian faith. So if your circumstances are ordinary, then you must have the ordinary form.

But the CCC also mentions Baptism by Blood, which would cover those who are martyred for the faith before they had a chance to receive ordinary baptism.

And the CCC mentions baptism by desire, or desire for baptism, which would cover those unfortunate souls who never had the opportunity to hear the Gospel, let alone be converted. The assumption would be that if they were given the opportunity they would likely have jumped at the chance to receive baptism.

So if there are indeed three valid forms of baptism, I don’t know if I can imagine a situation where someone could get to heaven without one of those three.

 

[rpp]

Could you say that salvation is simply not possible?

Before you get all over me with examples of innocent people who never had the chance to learn about Jesus, let me clarify.

We’ve been told that Baptism is necessary. But if you look in the CCC there are possibly 3 forms of Baptism. One is ordinary the other two, extraordinary. But in order to be saved one must have at least one of the three Baptisms.

Baptism by water is the ordinary means of Baptism into the Christian faith. So if your circumstances are ordinary, then you must have the ordinary form.

But the CCC also mentions Baptism by Blood, which would cover those who are martyred for the faith before they had a chance to receive ordinary baptism.

And the CCC mentions baptism by desire, or desire for baptism, which would cover those unfortunate souls who never had the opportunity to hear the Gospel, let alone be converted. The assumption would be that if they were given the opportunity they would likely have jumped at the chance to receive baptism.

So if there are indeed three valid forms of baptism, I don’t know if I can imagine a situation where someone could get to heaven without one of those three.

Well said, Black Jaque.

 

[Melchior]

The only normal means of having mortal sins forgiven is through the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

Aren’t mortal sins also forgiven in the annointing of the sick/last rites? Or does this Sacrament fall outside of “normal means”?

Thanks,

Mel

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

Could you say that salvation is simply not possible?

Before you get all over me with examples of innocent people who never had the chance to learn about Jesus, let me clarify.

We’ve been told that Baptism is necessary. But if you look in the CCC there are possibly 3 forms of Baptism. One is ordinary the other two, extraordinary. But in order to be saved one must have at least one of the three Baptisms.

Baptism by water is the ordinary means of Baptism into the Christian faith. So if your circumstances are ordinary, then you must have the ordinary form.

But the CCC also mentions Baptism by Blood, which would cover those who are martyred for the faith before they had a chance to receive ordinary baptism.

And the CCC mentions baptism by desire, or desire for baptism, which would cover those unfortunate souls who never had the opportunity to hear the Gospel, let alone be converted. The assumption would be that if they were given the opportunity they would likely have jumped at the chance to receive baptism.

So if there are indeed three valid forms of baptism, I don’t know if I can imagine a situation where someone could get to heaven without one of those three.

Anything is possible with God. We are bound to the Sacraments, but God’s grace is not. God can supply His grace outside of the Sacrament of Baptism.

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

Aren’t mortal sins also forgiven in the annointing of the sick/last rites? Or does this Sacrament fall outside of “normal means”?

Thanks,

Mel

Outside the normal means. The Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick can forgive the sins of someone who is unable to Confess their sins before they die. For instance if they are in a coma. If they are able and have the opportunity it generally does not and should not be received if someone knows that they might be in a state of mortal sin. They must go to Sacramental Confession before receiving the Sacrament Anointing of the Sick if they are able.

 

[Melchior]

Outside the normal means. The Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick can forgive the sins of someone who is unable to Confess their sins before they die. For instance if they are in a coma. If they are able and have the opportunity it generally does not and should not be received if someone knows that they might be in a state of mortal sin. They must go to Sacramental Confession before receiving the Sacrament Anointing of the Sick if they are able.

Thanks, Br. Rich.

So if someone is near death and is in a coma or near coma, that is sedated into unconsciousness is that a situation in which mortal sins would be remitted by the annointing? Or is just a maybe?

Thanks.

Mel

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

Thanks, Br. Rich.

So if someone is near death and is in a coma or near coma, that is sedated into unconsciousness is that a situation in which mortal sins would be remitted by the annointing? Or is just a maybe?

Thanks.

Mel

If they were to die without recovering. If they recover they would need to go to the Sacrament of Reconciliation ASAP.

 

[Melchior]

If they were to die without recovering. If they recover they would need to go to the Sacrament of Reconciliation ASAP.

Thank you. This was the case with my mother this past year. She was annointed about 2 or 3 hours before she passed. I have every confidence in her saintly status, but it is me mum, and every comfort is a big comfort. So thank you.

Mel

 

[teachccd]

So if there are indeed three valid forms of baptism, I don’t know if I can imagine a situation where someone could get to heaven without one of those three.

**1257 **The Lord himself affirms that Baptism is necessary for salvation.59 He also commands his disciples to proclaim the Gospel to all nations and to baptize them.60 Baptism is necessary for salvation for those to whom the Gospel has been proclaimed and who have had the possibility of asking for this sacrament.61 The Church does not know of any means other than Baptism that assures entry into eternal beatitude; this is why she takes care not to neglect the mission she has received from the Lord to see that all who can be baptized are “reborn of water and the Spirit.” **God has bound salvation to the sacrament of Baptism, but he himself is not bound by his sacraments. **
( Bold added, italicized original )

See the last line of this Catechism quote and it will tell you how…

 

[rwoehmke]

But isn’t Confirmation a sort of commitment to God, a “fiat” if you will? God asks us to pledge our allegience to him. Confirmation is the “normal” means of making that pledge. Therefore refusing Confirmation is akin to refusing to follow God. I’m just wondering though, if there is nothing theological standing in the way of you being confirmed, is refusal to get confirmed a sort of “no” to God?

This is becoming a common misconception even among educated Catholics. Some protestant churches understand Confirmation not as a sacrament where Jesus meets and acts upon us, but more or less as a committment on our part to follow Jesus in that particular faith. In the Sacrament of Confirmation we receive a strengthening of the Isaiah gifts given us in Baptism ( see Isaiah 11) as well as other gifts or charisms that help us to play an active role as a Christian in our faith community and in the world. In a similar way some educated Catholics mistakenly understand Baptism as a simple rite bringing one into membership with the faith community and not much more. Certainly they are Sacraments of initiation but they are so much more.

 

[vince2paul]

I heard it from a priest:

Baptism = to add sugar into a cup of tea.
Confirmation = to stir it so that the sugar can dissolve.