Receiving the Eucharist before doing penance

[paperwight]

But you are already absolved! You do know that absolution isn’t dependent on doing the penance?

 

[michaelArc]

I realize this now, but after committing mortal sin(s) I had thought or perhaps feel the need to complete the process before receiving communion.

 

[Blessedwithfive]

I think that is very cool that the emphasis is on the Mass but that isn’t the case at our church. We only have one priest so no Confessions during Mass but as a CCD teacher I am REQUIRED to leave Mass early to be in the classroom for the kids. I think that sets an awful example to the children. (Technically the class startes 15 minutes after Mass but some kids are dropped off early…maybe the went to another Mass?)

 

[MaryTeri]

Yes receive this is one reason that there is confession before Mass . Sometimes the penance is something you can’t squeeze in. If it really bothers you ask the next time you are in Confession. You confessed received absolution and I hear that you truly intend on doing the penance

 

[Edmundus1581]

I realize this now, but after committing mortal sin(s) I had thought or perhaps feel the need to complete the process before receiving communion.

The Catholic Church has never required people to complete penance before receiving communion, even in more rigorous times and places.

While often penances are brief such as “Three Hail Mary’s”, often they are not and a priest is not expected to give a penance which could be completed before communion. (BTW, for this reason it is pointless asking priests to schedule confession, or assign penances, so that penances can be completed before communion).

A longer penance may be: to recite a portion of the Rosary; to read a passage of scripture; to say a prayer for someone; to do a good deed for someone who you’ve admitted offending in confession. And, there are ones which simply can’t be completed in a Church. Often, a brief penance, such as the Our Father, may be accompanied by advice to say it slowly, and with a particular meditation adapted to what one has confessed.

Yes receive this is one reason that there is confession before Mass . Sometimes the penance is something you can’t squeeze in. If it really bothers you ask the next time you are in Confession. You confessed received absolution and I hear that you truly intend on doing the penance

Indeed, if confession is shortly before Mass, then even if penance is brief then it may be better to leave it till afterwards so that it isn’t rushed and one’s mental preparation for Mass is not distracted.

And, yes, certainly ask next time you are in confession. Please do

 

[Kei]

I suppose you have multiple priests?
This is the first I hear of confession DURING mass. Before, I think is wonderful and should be everywhere, but DURING?
The mass should run late before that.

 

[phil19034]

I’m not sure if it’s guilt or a feeling of inadequacy, but I have real issues on not being able to receive communion, especially since I feel the need to receive a grace for my mortal sins. I unfortunately have very black/white thinking at times and it’s almost as if don’t want to go to mass at all if I can’t receive communion.

Ok, in my opinion, this is something you needed to work on. Do you ever go to Church when there isn’t mass? For example, just to pray, or for Adoration, a devotion, or the Liturgy of the Hours?

We should be coming to Church for more then just the Sacarments, we should be coming to spend time with God in every way possible.

By going to Confession, you are restored to Grace. And we don’t attend Mass just to receive Communion (though it’s offered at every Mass)

We go to Mass to witness Christ’s sacrifice and resurrection, and because our Lord commands us to worship in community at least once a week.

Afterall, people who are excommunicated are still required to come to Mass.

Personally, when I returned to the Church, I was in an irregular marriage so I could not receive. I attended Mass every week for almost 6 months before I was able to receive. That made me appreciate communion much more.

I receive as much as I can, but when I’m not in grace or when my mind isn’t properly disposed, I refrain and never think twice about sitting in the pew.

When we sit in the pew and do not receive, I don’t feel guilt, but my heart longs more for the Lord. I also, believe we are actually a powerful witness to all those who receive unworthily.

I hope this helps.

God Bless

 

[Don_Ruggero]

I tend to try and squeeze in my penance during the mass so I can receive communion. Often this particular priest will give me just one Hail Mary for my penance. If it’s anything more, then I won’t do my penance during mass, and I don’t go for communion.

I’m not sure if it’s guilt or a feeling of inadequacy, but I have real issues on not being able to receive communion, especially since I feel the need to receive a grace for my mortal sins. I unfortunately have very black/white thinking at times and it’s almost as if don’t want to go to mass at all if I can’t receive communion.

There is no need to complete the penance before receiving the Eucharist.

The issue you have needs to be discussed with your confessor and resolved by him – not attempting to discuss it on a forum whose participants are laity who do not have the formation and experience that a confessor has. You will receive many incorrect answers in such a forum.

 

[michaelArc]

Yes we have multiple priests at my church. Confession starts 15-20 minutes before mass and continues during mass. When communion begins, the priest will leave the confessional booth to assist in communion, then returns to offering confession when communion is finished.

 

[michaelArc]

Thanks for your reply. I will ask the priest the next time I go to confession.

 

[lilypadrees]

I was always taught that we are to receive absolution and do our penance before receiving the Eucharist again. But it would be best to seek the advice of your priest.

 

[paperwight]

I was always taught that we are to receive absolution and do our penance before receiving the Eucharist again. .

Yes, that’s the ideal. But being absolved is not dependent on doing the penance. You are absolved when the priest says ‘I absolve you’. As others have pointed out, sometimes a penance is imposed which can’t be completed immediately, like reading a certain book, or doing an act of kindness for a certain person.

So in effect, you were taught wrongly, I’m afraid. Was it when you were a child, may I ask?

 

[lilypadrees]

lilypadrees:

I was always taught that we are to receive absolution and do our penance before receiving the Eucharist again. .

Yes, that’s the ideal. But being absolved is not dependent on doing the penance. You are absolved when the priest says ‘I absolve you’. As others have pointed out, sometimes a penance is imposed which can’t be completed immediately, like reading a certain book, or doing an act of kindness for a certain person.

So in effect, you were taught wrongly, I’m afraid. Was it when you were a child, may I ask?

Yes, when I was a child we had Confession during Mass (right before the Eucharist). Now as an adult, we have Confession before Mass on Saturdays and by appointment during the week (depends on the parish) and after Mass if Father has time. So one can receive the Eucharist before Confession as long as they get to Confession as soon after as possible. (That’s what we do on days when we have dr appts at the hospital.)

If Confession is during Mass (right before receiving the Eucharist), one penance might be a certain number of Our Fathers, Hail Marys and Glory Be’s which most can say quickly while another penance may be something that isn’t expected to be done til later. So of course, one can receive since they’ve been absolved. But they are honor bound to do the rest of their penance later.