Receiving communion when not sure about state of grace?

[timeandeternity]

I recently asked this question on Ask an Apologist:
“If a person is forgiven of their sins when they have perfect contrition, even before they go to confession (though the sacrament is still necessary, of course), why do they still have to go to confession before communion when they have perfect contrition? I understand that if their contrition is imperfect, they certainly have to go to confession first; but why is this still necessary when they have been forgiven because of their perfect contrition?”

Fr. Serpa answered:

“The reason that one must go to Confession when one thinks that he has made a perfect act of contrition is that one can never be sure that it is perfect. We don’t receive His body and blood if we only THINK we are in the state of grace. The Sacrament of Penance assures us that we ARE in the state of grace.”

However, this doesn’t seem to fit with the teaching that we may receive communion if we have committed a sin that may or may not have been mortal, because isn’t this just the same kind of situation? Isn’t this just another case in which we’re not really sure whether we’re in the state of grace or not?

 

[Bookcat]

Compendium issued by Pope Benedict XVI

1. When does one commit a mortal sin?

1855-1861
1874

One commits a mortal sin when there are simultaneously present: grave matter, full knowledge, and deliberate consent. This sin destroys charity in us, deprives us of sanctifying grace, and, if unrepented, leads us to the eternal death of hell. It can be forgiven in the ordinary way by means of the sacraments of Baptism and of Penance or Reconciliation.

1. When does one commit a venial sin?

1862-1864
1875

One commits a venial sin, which is essentially different from a mortal sin, when the matter involved is less serious or, even if it is grave, when full knowledge or complete consent are absent. Venial sin does not break the covenant with God but it weakens charity and manifests a disordered affection for created goods. It impedes the progress of a soul in the exercise of the virtues and in the practice of moral good. It merits temporal punishment which purifies.

vatican.va/archive/compendium_ccc/documents/archive_2005_compendium-ccc_en.html

 

[Bookcat]

I recently asked this question on Ask an Apologist:
“If a person is forgiven of their sins when they have perfect contrition, even before they go to confession (though the sacrament is still necessary, of course), why do they still have to go to confession before communion when they have perfect contrition? I understand that if their contrition is imperfect, they certainly have to go to confession first; but why is this still necessary when they have been forgiven because of their perfect contrition?”

Fr. Serpa answered:

“The reason that one must go to Confession when one thinks that he has made a perfect act of contrition is that one can never be sure that it is perfect. We don’t receive His body and blood if we only THINK we are in the state of grace. The Sacrament of Penance assures us that we ARE in the state of grace.”

However, this doesn’t seem to fit with the teaching that we may receive communion if we have committed a sin that may or may not have been mortal, because isn’t this just the same kind of situation? Isn’t this just another case in which we’re not really sure whether we’re in the state of grace or not?

What Father is discussing is regarding after the actual committing of a mortal sin.

Basically one is not to receive communion if they are conscious of having committed a mortal sin (that has not yet been absolved in confession…) (all the other factors of course are here taken for granted…like the person is a Catholic …in communion with the Church…etc)

So a person who is conscious of having committed a moral sin needs to go to confession first.

Lets take the example though of a scrupulous person. They may start* fearing *not being in a state of grace not due to their being aware of mortal sin…but purely due to their scruples. Such is not what he was referring to above. Even some Saints had to have their confessor tell them…go to communion due to their scruples.

Those with such a difficulty should discuss some general principle with their confessor for them to follow.

 

[Bookcat]

Catechism:

"To respond to this invitation we must prepare ourselves for so great and so holy a moment. St. Paul urges us to examine our conscience…

Anyone conscious of a grave sin must receive the sacrament of Reconciliation before coming to communion."

(grave sin=mortal sin= serious sin…they are interchangable terms…)

 

[George_Stegmeir]

I learned this in a Jesuit run parochial school over 60 years ago: With regards to receiving Holy Communion; when in doubt about being in a state of grace, go to Confession. Receiving the Lord is so serious an act that one should never take a chance that you are not worthy to receive Him.

 

[timeandeternity]

George, that sounds right to me. But, for whatever reason, it seems that the teaching has changed somewhat (or perhaps it hasn’t–maybe I’m just not understanding things correctly). I’ve read and heard many times that if someone has committed *doubtful *mortal sin–in other words, if they have committed a sin and think it *might *have been mortal, but they’re just not really sure–they can make an act of perfect contrition and go to communion, without having to go to confession.
I’ve heard this from apologists, various posters, trusted priests, etc. But it seems to contradict what Fr. Serpa said as far as being *sure *that we are in a state of grace before going to communion.
I just don’t know what to think.

 

[Bookcat]

George, that sounds right to me. But, for whatever reason, it seems that the teaching has changed somewhat (or perhaps it hasn’t–maybe I’m just not understanding things correctly). I’ve read and heard many times that if someone has committed *doubtful *mortal sin–in other words, if they have committed a sin and think it *might *have been mortal, but they’re just not really sure–they can make an act of perfect contrition and go to communion, without having to go to confession.
I’ve heard this from apologists, various posters, trusted priests, etc. But it seems to contradict what Fr. Serpa said as far as being *sure *that we are in a state of grace before going to communion.
I just don’t know what to think.

What Father is discussing is regarding after the* actual committing of a mortal sin*.

He was there discussing those who are conscious of having committed a mortal sin (grave matter, with full knowledge and deliberate consent). They committed adultery, or masturbation or murdered someone…or robbed a bank or burned down a church. They need to go to confession before going to Communion.

Basically one is not to receive communion if they are *conscious *of having committed a mortal sin (that has not yet been absolved in confession…) (all the other factors of course are here taken for granted…like the person is a Catholic …in communion with the Church…etc)

One examines their conscience and the criteria and makes a judgment.

So a person who is conscious of having committed a moral sin needs to go to confession first.

Lets take the example though of a scrupulous person. They may start* fearing *not being in a state of grace not due to their being aware of mortal sin…but purely due to their scruples. Such is not what he was referring to above. Even some Saints had to have their confessor tell them…go to communion due to their scruples.

Those who are scrupulous are often advised by their confessors that if they are not certain they have committed a mortal sin…they should go to communion (perhaps making an act of contrition first).

Those with such a difficulty should discuss some *general principles *with their confessor for them to follow.

One who is lax and who thinks they may have committed a mortal sin…well could be advised to go to confession first.

When are we to refrain from Holy Communion? well so far as our state of grace goes…when one is conscious of having committed a mortal sin (and has not yet been absolved of it).

As the Catechism of the Catholic Church notes:

"To respond to this invitation we must prepare ourselves for so great and so holy a moment. St. Paul urges us to examine our conscience…

Anyone conscious of a grave sin must receive the sacrament of Reconciliation before coming to communion."

(grave sin=mortal sin= serious sin…they are interchangable terms…)

 

[Will_S]

I just don’t know what to think.

If you think you might have a reason to attempt an act of perfect contrition, then you should just go to confession because you are already thinking you might (probably?) have committed mortal sin.

If you really don’t know whether you have committed mortal sin or not – that is, it’s not just that you think “maybe not” but rather think “I don’t know” – then receiving Holy Communion won’t be a sin of sacrilege, but then again, if you are in the state of mortal sin, you won’t receive the graces of Holy Communion – so go to confession if you can.

The sequence Lauda Sion by St. Thomas Aquinas explains the Catholic doctrine of the Eucharist and explains that although all receive the same, the effects are different. For some, it brings life, for others it brings death. You are seeking life, not death, so go to confession before Holy Communion.

 

[timeandeternity]

Thanks Will, your answer was helpful.
I actually deal with scrupulosity, so my spiritual director and other priests have told me to go to communion when I’m honestly not sure. However, I was trying to think about this issue from the perspective of someone who has a normal conscience, and wanted to gain a more thorough understanding of it.