Non-Catholic Mortal Sin

[Epistemes]

If a non-Catholic, who is working on becoming Catholic, commits a mortal sin, is praying for forgiveness sufficient until reconciliation? Should any special prayer be said?

 

[mercygate]

If a non-Catholic, who is working on becoming Catholic, commits a mortal sin, is praying for forgiveness sufficient until reconciliation? Should any special prayer be said?

Pray of course. Talk to your priest. He can best guide you. You are eligible to receive the Sacrament of Penance when your formator deems you to be well formed in your faith and properly disposed. If you are coming into the Church, are in RCIA, and have a thorough knowledge of the teachings of the Church, you may be eligible to participate in this sacrament right now.

If you are a validly baptized Christian, you would make your confession of all the sins of your life since baptism.

I made my general (life) confession more than 2 months before being officially received into the Church. To me, THAT was the day I became Catholic.

Godspeed.

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

If a non-Catholic, who is working on becoming Catholic, commits a mortal sin, is praying for forgiveness sufficient until reconciliation? Should any special prayer be said?

They should reflect on their sin and their sorrow for offending God. Say (read) and reflect on the words of an Act of Contrition.

Remember to confess the sin when the Sacrament of Reconciliation is available to them.

 

[Traditional_Ang]

If a non-Catholic, who is working on becoming Catholic, commits a mortal sin, is praying for forgiveness sufficient until reconciliation? Should any special prayer be said?

Epistemes:

As Mercygate suggested, ask the pastor of the parish where you’re taking RCIA instruction if he will hear your confession and if he feels free to grant absolution. That’s the preferred way to deal with this.

Otherwise, I’d do a thorough Examination of Conscience, say the 51st Psalm, Read what the Examination of Conscience says and then do an Act of Contrition.

Examination of Conscience and a Reconciliation Page can be found at Fr. Pat’s Place:
frpat.com/examen.htm
frpat.com/reconciliation.htm

If you do these things, you’ll be doing more than most Protestants after they commit serious sins. The Catechism says that if you have Perfect Contrition (that you are sorry for commiting the sins because they hurt and offend God and separate you from God and nothing else) that asking for forgiveness in the name of Jesus is sufficient.

The Sacrament of Reconciliation doesn’t require Perfect Contrition. Any form of Contrition will do.

Your Brother in Christ, Michael

 

[AndyF]

If a non-Catholic, who is working on becoming Catholic, commits a mortal sin, is praying for forgiveness sufficient until reconciliation? Should any special prayer be said?

Unless I’m mistaken, in accordance with the **1271 “sacramental bond of the unity of Christians that Baptism provides”, **any baptised Christian may confess to a priest and conditionally receive absolution. He should reflect on his sins prior to confession, and learn the Act of Contrition prayer and prepare to recite it after receiving absolution, or, the priest may suggest he pray it outside the confessional.

(NewAdvent)“The exercise of this power in either form (forgiving or retaining) is not restricted: no distinction is made or even suggested between one kind of sin and another, or between one class of sinners and all the rest: Christ simply says “whose sins”.”

AndyF