Private "Vows" to the Lord

[Roman_Catechism]

Now, this may sound odd, and I’m not entirely sure how to explain properly. But I have privately “vowed” (I’ve even prayed/ used this specific word) to God that I would do three things. One of them is to attend every Daily Mass.

Now, the only reason I bring this up is because since this is an ongoing promise I’ve made to God, I’m unsure of the nature of the sin of failing in these obligations. If I fail to attend a particular Daily Mass and I don’t have a good reason for it, could this be considered a mortal sin? Or could I deliberately miss a day, but try and resume my obligation, say, the very next day, and still receive Holy Communion?

What about my other two vows, which involve two particular formal prayers: if I fail to pray a particular office of the Divine Office despite my own personal vow to recite it, for instance, isn’t that “merely” a venial sin?

Please don’t say that I am confused, and I am only obligated to attend Sunday Mass as a layperson. That would not be answering my question at all. I am aware of the precepts of the Church and the Ten Commandments.

 

[Bookcat]

I would go to your pastor (he has the authority) and perhaps have these particular vows (if they were such) dispensed. Then seek advice as to if you should make any private vows. And if so what. If you conclude after such that you should do so…then prepare yourself. Define very well what the “matter” of the private vow you are going to make is (again perhaps with counsel) and what it will mean if one acts contrary to that vow.

But it needs be rather defined and it needs to fit the very nature of a private vow.

One needs to be clear as to what one is vowing.

Above all let us always keep in mind the reality of our Baptism. Our following Christ as his disciple.

 

[runningdude]

I’m not sure to that its possible to “bind” yourself with a private vow. The power to bind and loose is reserved to God’s Church alone. Your can make an affirmative choice to attend daily mass as a personal devotion, but I don’t think you can obligate yourself to do so. Now, to answer of your question, which is would failing to meet your private vow be a mortal sin, I would say not, as I don’t believe a personal obligation to follow those vows exists.

I would caution you though to say that you may have a venial sin of presumption, for attempting to bind yourself in a private vow. It seems to be venial, so you won’t go to Hell, but you may damage your relationship with God nonetheless by misunderstanding want He asks and requires of you.

Turn more fully to His Church, and trust its advice (since your already attending daily mass, it really should not be too difficult to ask for your Pastor’s opinion before or after )

 

[Bookcat]

I’m not sure to that its possible to “bind” yourself with a private vow. The power to bind and loose is reserved to God’s Church alone. Your can make an affirmative choice to attend daily mass as a personal devotion, but I don’t think you can obligate yourself to do so. Now, to answer of your question, which is would failing to meet your private vow be a mortal sin, I would say not, as I don’t believe a personal obligation to follow those vows exists.

Yes one can bind oneself via a private vow. Such binds by reason of the virtue of religion. The Church completely signs off on this possibility (in canon law, spiritual theology, the Catechism, etc). It is something that one can do. But I would caution that one needs to know what one is doing and take great care in so doing.

 

[divinefaith]

If I fail to attend a particular Daily Mass and I don’t have a good reason for it, could this be considered a mortal sin? Or could I deliberately miss a day, but try and resume my obligation, say, the very next day, and still receive Holy Communion?

.

This article would seem to explain that missing out on the day may be a venial sin:

newadvent.org/cathen/15511a.htm

Bookcat, if you wouldnt mind answering a question of mine : would a promise made to a Saint be considered similar to a vow. The article I posted seems to say there would be in an obligation in such promises too.

 

[Bookcat]

This article would seem to explain that missing out on the day may be a venial sin:

newadvent.org/cathen/15511a.htm

Bookcat, if you wouldnt mind answering a question of mine : would a promise made to a Saint be considered similar to a vow. The article I posted seems to say there would be in an obligation in such promises too.

Keep in mind that article is from the turn of the* previous century*. So some things will be out dated etc.

As to if it would be venial or mortal …there is various factors that would need be looked at. But I still advise as I did above. A dispensation need not take place I would think in person…it can be via a phone call. Then the person can “regroup” and think things through with advice.

I imagine (imagination here) a promise to a saint would be like a promise made to your friend or brother …yet different…(there is no canon for a promise made to a Saint)…for well such is being made to a Saint in heaven …and is of a spiritual nature.

In any case a “vow” is made to God per se. Such is a canonical reality.

 

[divinefaith]

ok thanks. So if theres no canon law for promises made to saints, a dispensation will not qualify?

 

[Bookcat]

ok thanks. So if theres no canon law for promises made to saints, a dispensation will not qualify?

I would imagine that the lesser is contained in the greater. That if a Pastor can dispense from a private vow to God (which he can)…that he can dispense from a promise made to a Saint. (if such become a practical question one can inquire as to what one would do…even with the chancery if needed)

 

[divinefaith]

Thanks for your help

 

[Semper_Zelare]

Well… this comes from my mortal sins list, which is online here:

saintaquinas.com/mortal_sin.html

During every examination of conscience I just go down the list.

Perjury and False Oaths—Those who take an oath in the name of the Lord and fail to keep it, or break the oath at a later date, show a grave lack of respect for the Lord of all speech (CCC 2152). Pledging oneself to commit an evil deed is also sinful. During his Sermon on the Mount, Jesus speaks against sinners who give false oaths (Matthew 5:33-34).

Anyways, I’d definitely agree that if you make oaths or vows to the Lord, and fail to keep them, then it is a mortal sin. It’s tantamount to promising you’d do something for your best friend, then not doing it. Not babysitting their kids or something- HUGE LET DOWN. I’ve had to confess to making oaths/ vows to the Lord in the past and failing to keep them.

Ultimately, in my opinion, it is better to not make conditional promises to the Lord, that as mortals we may not be able to keep. I used to think doing stuff like this was like drawing a line in the sand, and would help me keep out of sin. But, I think it’s better to let the transformational process of being renewed by Christ happen. We may conform to Christ slower than we want to, we might struggle with sin for longer than we want to… but it’s better than setting expectations for ourselves which are higher than we can meet.

But, I’d go to the confessional on this one.

 

[Bookcat]

Anyways, I’d definitely agree that if you make … vows to the Lord, and fail to keep them, then it is a mortal sin…

I depends on the vow. One can bind oneself venially.

For example if I knowing what I am doing…vow to pray the rosary every day for the month of October …and intending to bind myself under venial sin…if I do not pray the rosary one day via my fault…well that is a venial sin against the virtue of religion. Now if I had not made such a vow…and did not pray the rosary…then such would not per se be any sin…for one does not have to pray the rosary any day. (though such is good!)

 

[Roman_Catechism]

I shall discuss this with my spiritual director on Friday. It may be best to be “dispensed” from these promises, and then, continue to act as if I were still obligated by them, even though I am not. To approach them from the point of view of just things that I informally but actively wish to offer to the Lord on a daily basis and make the center of my life, but not necessarily under penalty of sin.

Does this sound acceptable?

 

[Bookcat]

I shall discuss this with my spiritual director on Friday. It may be best to be “dispensed” from these promises, and then, continue to act as if I were still obligated by them, even though I am not. To approach them from the point of view of just things that I informally but actively wish to offer to the Lord on a daily basis and make the center of my life, but not necessarily under penalty of sin.

Does this sound acceptable?

Yes discuss it with him. However not every priest has the authority to dispense. Ones Pastor does for example.

It may be best for you (after any such vows are dispensed …if they were vows) to have a flexible rule of life or plan of life.

Private vows though are good thing. But something to be done with a good amount of consideration and forethought etc. And are not for everyone.

Yes there is a sin against the virtue of religion if one does not live them. There is though also further merit of the virtue of religion and further worship of God when one does live them etc

Most importantly let us live as disciples of Jesus Christ…live the reality of our baptism.