Promises made, promises kept?

[2Bcatholic]

If one makes a promise to God and then doesn’t keep that promise are they actually committing a sin and can they get out of a promise if they feel that they cannot live up to what was promised at that time?

For example: Since we are not bound to abstain from meat on Friday’s but one says: “Lord, out of penance I will not eat meat on Fridays” and then after a period of time they begin to eat meat again are they sinning? If so, say they go to confession can they get out of that promise or are they now obligated to NEVER eat meat on Fridays again?

Another example: “Lord, I will pray 1/2 hour everynight…” and then one no longer does so for whatever reasons…

 

[MarieVeronica]

Since we are not bound to abstain from meat on Friday’s

First, I’d like to say that we were never freed from abstaining from meat on Fridays. I’ve learned this, from watching EWTN. We are still bound to abstain from meat on all Fridays of the year. We can dispense with it… ONLY if we do some other Work of Mercy, in its place (clothe the naked, feed the hungry, visit the hospitalized… or imprisoned… etc.). Apparently, this was one of those “Vatican II” things, that was taken out of context… and now, everyone is confused. I think you can find out more about it, at the EWTN site.

Next, I’d like to say… that it sounds like you’re suffering a bit from scruples (Voice of Experience, here… ). It is a good thing, to pray and to make sacrifices… but being human, all too often we tend to fall down.

If you’ve made some sort of committment to Our Lord, to say a certain amount of prayers… do your best. But if you should fail, for some reason… don’t beat yourself up over it. Realize, that we are weak and frail. Our Lord certainly knows the intent of your heart, and how much you love Him.

Don’t become discouraged. Try again, tomorrow. God bless you.

 

[PhilotheaZ]

I’m not sure whether your promise constitutes a private vow, or a hastily made decision.

In any case, your parish priest has the faculty to dispense you from any private vow you may have made. It also appears that you yourself can commute a private vow to something equally good. Here is the applicable canon law:

Can. 1191 ß1 A vow is a deliberate and free promise made to God, concerning some good which is possible and better. The virtue of religion requires that it be fulfilled.

ß2 Unless they are prohibited by law, all who have an appropriate use of reason are capable of making a vow.

ß3 A vow made as a result of grave and unjust fear or of deceit is by virtue of the law itself invalid.

Can. 1192 ß1 A vow is public if it is accepted in the name of the Church by a lawful Superior; otherwise, it is private.

Can. 1193 Of its nature a vow obliges only the person who makes it.

Can. 1196 Besides the Roman Pontiff, the following can dispense from private vows, provided the dispensation does not injure the acquired rights of others;

1ƒ the local Ordinary and the parish priest, in respect of all their own subjects …

Can. 1197 What has been promised by private vow can be commuted into something better or equally good by the person who made the vow. It can be commuted into something less good by one who has authority to dispense in accordance with Can. 1196.