Not receiving communion so often in the past

[ciero]

I agree. I’ve gone to Masses with friends who bragged about how far they went with their dates the night before. I’ve seen cohabitating couples receive. I’ve seen CE Catholics receive. I’ve heard juicy gossip before Mass from those who would receive. I’ve heard people who’ve explicitly stated they believed they were receiving less than Christ in communion. I’ve seen people eat and chew gum before they received.

And here people tell you not to judge? Really? What about poor example or scandal? That’s a sin too, ***even if people tell you they didn’t give full consent to their gluttony or cohabitation. ***There always is an outcry when we see pro-abortion politicians receive but the others we should not judge? It’s not really judgement though, as much as awareness. .

How does one not give their full consent to cohabitation?

 

[desertPavel]

Or they could be in my situation: I am blessed to have a church to go to that is near my workplace. I usually go to confession there if I need to, rather than my home parish. So I’m sure there are people who think, “Wow, I never see her go to confession here, why does she receive Communion every week? What if she’s in mortal sin?”

The bottom line is that the state of their souls is between them and God; we should not judge. For all we know, they go to confession weekly, we just don’t see it happen. I agree with you that the emphasis on mortal sin has decreased; I’ve never heard a homily about not going to Communion without confessing mortal sin. But to assume that everyone who goes to Communion is unworthy just because you haven’t seen them in the confession line is a big leap.

I will take your post to heart, examine my conscience, and if the Holy Spirit convicts me of being judgemental then I will get into the short confessional line at my parish and confess it.

 

[ProVobis]

How does one not give their full consent to cohabitation?

Believe it or not, they say they have to to save money among other things. There’s a feeling of being compelled, I guess. Or so they rationalize.

But my point is, even if it’s true, it’s still not right for him or her or them to receive because it is still scandalous.

 

[Erin_Anne]

That said, I understand in the Polish OF, only about half of those present receive, even less than those in the EF. And the Polish attendance is soaring. Are the Polish much smarter than the English in matters of sin? It appears so.

They must be.
I attend a Parish that was at one time 100% Polish (still is mostly). I had never seen such long lines for Confession at any of the 4 other Parishes I’ve attended during my 30+ yrs, nor so many people who don’t receive during both the OF and EF Masses. Sin is apparently taken quite seriously.

 

[rwoehmke]

They must be.
I attend a Parish that was at one time 100% Polish (still is mostly). I had never seen such long lines for Confession at any of the 4 other Parishes I’ve attended during my 30+ yrs, nor so many people who don’t receive during both the OF and EF Masses. Sin is apparently taken quite seriously.

I think it has something to do with people whose ethnicity is sourced in Northern Europe. The parishes and schools I attended as a child were predominately German or Polish and the Sisters made no bones about it, we were not worthy. Never the less we were paraded over to the church for confession only once every two weeks. The summer after my first holy communion our family moved from one city to another and over that summer I did not get to confession. When school started and our class went over for confession, the priest let me know in no uncertain terms that I was bad because it had been about two months between confessions. I think as a result of that strong criticism that I really don’t look forward to going even now some sixty plus years later.

I cannot recall ever being taught or told that one had to go to confession before receiving communion unless one was in a state of mortal sin.

 

[ProVobis]

the priest let me know in no uncertain terms that I was bad because it had been about two months between confessions. I think as a result of that strong criticism that I really don’t look forward to going even now some sixty plus years later.

In my grade school Monday morning classes, a nun would line up those who hadn’t received the day before and asked each for an explanation as to why we didn’t receive. (Class was made to sit together at Mass.) She mocked those who said it had to do with not going to confession. I believed this was wrong on her part as I didn’t think it was her business knowing why we didn’t receive. Was she hoping to hear some juicy story to turn her on? And now do we fear that by not going, they will think the worst of us?

I cannot recall ever being taught or told that one had to go to confession before receiving communion unless one was in a state of mortal sin.

Apparently then, knowledge of what constitutes mortal sin isn’t uniform. Some regard missing Mass as serious matter, others don’t. Some don’t think there’s anything wrong with fornication or cohabitating or overeating or gossipping or stealing or coveting or not believing in the Real Presence, others don’t. Etc. What is the Church trying to do, keep them as ignorant as possible so they have no excuse not to go? Seems that way.

And of those who actually know their action is grave matter, they will rationalize it in some cultures more than others. Not having full consent and compulsion to sin are such ways of rationalizing. I feel if there is doubt or I feel I hurt someone, I need to confess just for the sake of getting it off my chest. I’m not going to torture myself before or after communion wondering if I’m really sinfree.

 

[DebChris]

Great post!
Thank you!!

As a student in a Catholic School in the 40’s and 50’s, we attended Mass every school day, but received communion only on Sunday and first Friday. The fast from midnight combined with lack of breakfast arrangements except on first Fridays made it so. Also there was an attitude of not being worthy to receive that permeated Catholic Schools that I attended.

It disturbs me that some are disturbed by the fact that almost everyone goes up to receive at every Mass. The state of their souls is between them and God and is no one else’s business. Why would anyone not want to receive when each time we receive worthily our sanctifying grace is increased and we become more like Him who we receive. Vatican II was a clear call that not only the clergy and vowed religious were called to holiness, but lay people as well. Why not frequent communion?

I was only able to go to a Catholic Parochial school for a short period of time in 1st and 2nd grade. My mother talked to the priest when she discovered First Communion was the next Sunday. I was admitted to the school and given one week to prepare for First Communion. I already knew the prayers because my family prayed the rosary every night.
Yes, it was pre-Vatican II. Even in Catechism classes, for those of us unable to attend Parochial school, either because it was overcrowded or simply not available, learned about the difference between mortal and venial sins. There was a great emphasis on learning about the Sacraments and the Order of the Mass. The Sacrament of Penance was there for those who committed a mortal sin. Venial sins are forgiven when we receive the Eucharist.
What I remember from my short Parochial school days was bringing a single serve box of cereal to school every day to eat after Mass. This remembrance of daily Mass and communion was a good memory and one of the reason I wanted to go to a Catholic college after high school.
It is only as an adult that I was encouraged to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation monthly. Too frequent (weekly) confession can lead a person to be overly scrupulous.
We are not called to live in guilt. The accuser of our brothers is cast out. We are to live in holiness, to shake off the burden of sin and guilt as we acknowledge the forgiveness we have received through the Sacraments. Confessing even venial sins can lead to a greater awareness and recognition of our greatest temptations and away from sin.

 

[ProVobis]

Too frequent (weekly) confession can lead a person to be overly scrupulous.

How?

It was reported that the late Holy Father confessed daily.

The rest of your post looks good.

 

[DebChris]

How?

It was reported that the late Holy Father confessed daily.

The rest of your post looks good.

I realize that both Pope John Paul II and Mother Theresa reportedly confessed daily. The question of being overly scrupulous lies in holding onto guilt rather than accepting God’s loving forgiveness. There are individuals who go to confession every few days, always confessing the same sins without making any real changes in their lives. An individual susceptible to being overly scrupulous may see sin where none actual exists, or returns to confessing sins already confessed and forgiven. An experienced confessor is the person who can recognize and guide the susceptible person.
Perhaps an analogy from teaching might help. There are students who ask the teacher whether or not they have the right answer after every question. Giving the student every answer will not help that student trust in his/her own ability.
Every Christian needs to trust the Holy Spirit to guide him/her toward the right decision. Is the penitent trusting his/her conscience (guided by the Holy Spirit) or becoming overly reliant on the priest to whom he/she confesses?

As a retreat master once said, it is unlikely that those who make frequent use of the Sacraments will fall into mortal sin. Where we more likely need to put our focus in on those areas of weakness that lead to temptation. What is the one area in which I have the greatest struggle? What can I do to overcome that weakness? I now bring into the confessional not only that weakness but what steps I am taking to overcome that area of weakness; the changes I am trying to make and where I continue to need God’s grace in order to be successful.

 

[Mrs_Sally]

My Comments were not to criticize other people , I just wondered if I;m taking sin too seriously.our parish has a very limited Confession time .I ;m sure many people use other parishes but why does it always seem to be me that ;s only me holding back. I;ll talk to my priest about it this week .By the way not criticizing again but I have a **neighbour who regularly beats up his wife **I know because Ive been there to stop him and here he is on Sunday helping to givie out Communion .How do you deal with that?

You call the police first. You tell your priest so that he can help find shelter for the wife. Yes, his behavior is scandalize, but the couple is obviously not telling the priest, so how is the priest to know? Until someone tells him who has direct proof, he is assuming that all is well. As would have a priest in 1948.

 

[Mrs_Sally]

I agree. I’ve gone to Masses with friends who bragged about how far they went with their dates the night before. I’ve seen cohabitating couples receive. I’ve seen CE Catholics receive. I’ve heard juicy gossip before Mass from those who would receive. I’ve heard people who’ve explicitly stated they believed they were receiving less than Christ in communion. I’ve seen people eat and chew gum before they received.

And here people tell you not to judge? Really? What about poor example or scandal? That’s a sin too, even if people tell you they didn’t give full consent to their gluttony or cohabitation. There always is an outcry when we see pro-abortion politicians receive but the others we should not judge? It’s not really judgement though, as much as awareness. .

And I hope you are speaking directly and in charity to those friends and acquaintances. it is our duty to instruct the ignorant and pray for our fellow men. Yes, priests need to speak about sin in their homilies, they need to offer confession more liberally, but we need to teach as well–by our words and our deeds.

 

[ProVobis]

I realize that both Pope John Paul II and Mother Theresa reportedly confessed daily. The question of being overly scrupulous lies in holding onto guilt rather than accepting God’s loving forgiveness. There are individuals who go to confession every few days, always confessing the same sins without making any real changes in their lives. An individual susceptible to being overly scrupulous may see sin where none actual exists, or returns to confessing sins already confessed and forgiven. An experienced confessor is the person who can recognize and guide the susceptible person.
Perhaps an analogy from teaching might help. There are students who ask the teacher whether or not they have the right answer after every question. Giving the student every answer will not help that student trust in his/her own ability.
Every Christian needs to trust the Holy Spirit to guide him/her toward the right decision. Is the penitent trusting his/her conscience (guided by the Holy Spirit) or becoming overly reliant on the priest to whom he/she confesses?

As a retreat master once said, it is unlikely that those who make frequent use of the Sacraments will fall into mortal sin. Where we more likely need to put our focus in on those areas of weakness that lead to temptation. What is the one area in which I have the greatest struggle? What can I do to overcome that weakness? I now bring into the confessional not only that weakness but what steps I am taking to overcome that area of weakness; the changes I am trying to make and where I continue to need God’s grace in order to be successful.

Everything you say is true. And I agree that daily confession is an extreme. However, one can frequently go to communion without improving on his/her spiritual life too. One can go to communion to absolve the same venial sin over and over again. Let’s face it, the Church has made communion so available everywhere now it made our lives almost completely perfunctory, almost to the point of monotonous. There’s no work involved. At least with the fast, it forced you to think a little about Whom you were receiving and made it more meaningful but we’ve dropped any significant fast required before communion.

With confession, on the other hand, you’re required to do a little work. You need to do an examination of conscience and answer to another person who give you real guidance, even if it’s to pick you up every time you fall. Look at it this way: Would you rather pay $200/hr to a psychiatrist when your actions bother you and you know you need improvement or go to confession to physically tell your story to Christ? Keeping things to yourself just won’t hack it in my opinion.

All that said, making nine consecutive First Fridays was stressed heavily before Vatican II. That I felt was quite an accomplishment. And it isn’t as easy as it sounds even for the most devout Catholic. Where’s such motivations of a promised confession and communion prior to death today?

 

[DebChris]

Confession and Viaticum are part of the Sacrament of the Sick.
Scripture says even a righteous man sins seven times a day. The person may not even be aware of his/her sins. Many have developed a habit of going through an Examination of Conscience every night. When my family prayed the rosary we ended, not with a Hail Holy Queen, but with and Act of Contrition. I personally like the Examination of Consciousness in which a person does not simply focus on his/her sinfulness but also on the ways that God has blessed him/her throughout the day. How has God worked in my life? How can I improve my response to God’s Love?
It is important to move beyond the “grocery list” form of confession that many of us were taught prior to Vatican II.
I picked up a booklet at my brother’s funeral earlier this year. It contained 3 challenges for the Easter Season. (1) Read the NT before Pentecost. (2) Pray Acts 4:29-30 daily for at least nine days. (3) Receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation 3 times between Easter and Pentecost–once during the Octave, once during the next 33 days before Ascension. and once again between Ascension and Pentecost. Tonight, which is also the 1st Saturday of the Month, is the second time.
Confession is offered 1/2 hour before Mass. This is true of my home parish stateside in which The Sacrament of Reconciliation is offered before the daily Mass, plus Saturday before the evening Mass.

 

[jamanne]

You call the police first. You tell your priest so that he can help find shelter for the wife. Yes, his behavior is scandalize, but the couple is obviously not telling the priest, so how is the priest to know? Until someone tells him who has direct proof, he is assuming that all is well. As would have a priest in 1948.

Thank you for your response .the woman in question suffered a breakdown but she never left the marriage even after the police were called.It ended with her death when she was struck and killed on a crosswalk one winter night,she was 48 years old.The man in question started another relationship with a widow , who asked me for an opinion of him and I told her .She broke off seeing him then .

 

[rwoehmke]

One thing about receiving the Sacrament of Penance, whether one is in a state of mortal sin or not, is the grace one receives just by going. It’s a good reason for frequent confession.

 

[DebChris]

One thing about receiving the Sacrament of Penance, whether one is in a state of mortal sin or not, is the grace one receives just by going. It’s a good reason for frequent confession.

Frequent confession is also called “devotional” confession.
It’s actually easier to confess small sins on a regular basis than to confess after allowing the small sin to develop into a major sin. One sin easily progresses to another creating a snowball effect. The tear in a shirt will grow unless repaired, or “a stitch in time saves nine.”

Sin takes you where you do not want to go and keeps you there longer than you want to stay–Pope Benedict XVI

 

[rwoehmke]

I
Apparently then, knowledge of what constitutes mortal sin isn’t uniform. Some regard missing Mass as serious matter, others don’t. Some don’t think there’s anything wrong with fornication or cohabitating or overeating or gossipping or stealing or coveting or not believing in the Real Presence, others don’t. Etc. What is the Church trying to do, keep them as ignorant as possible so they have no excuse not to go? Seems that way.

What does that have to do with my statement that never in seventy plus years as a Catholic have I ever heard that one must go to confession before every single reception of the Eucharist? Only un-confessed mortal sin would require confession before receiving.

 

[ProVobis]

Only un-confessed mortal sin would require confession before receiving.

No kidding?

 

[bpaynter]

I wonder if, in the Old Days that people are rhapsoding about, penitents used to say to the priest in confession, “Father, I have done all the following things. Which ones were sins?”
Thank God this sort of spiritual hypochondria is out of vogue, if only to shorten the confessional queues and the time to get to the head of them.
I note that there has been a lot of critical evaluation of communicants’ worthiness in this thread, especially in comparing the numbers of those receiving with those confessing; this despite the declaration of what it takes to commit a mortal sin. There has been a bit of, “I thank God I am not as others here” - and other Pharasaical attitudes.
Perhaps there should be a heap of stones near the holy water stoup for the use of whomever wants to chuck the first one.

 

[ProVobis]

I wonder if, in the Old Days that people are rhapsoding about, penitents used to say to the priest in confession, “Father, I have done all the following things. Which ones were sins?”
Thank God this sort of spiritual hypochondria is out of vogue, if only to shorten the confessional queues and the time to get to the head of them.

I doubt it. I hear some people still just go in and wait for the priest to go through the Ten Commandments for them and they just nod their heads. And then they complain later that they can’t get a priest to hear their confessions.