Sin and Mass

[billcu1]

I have heard two very different things here. The first advice is what I’ve always believed:

When in sin go to confession first, if a mortal sin, and then you can receive the Eucharist.

Now I just recently read about this other option. Go to Mass and partake in the Body and Blood and go to confession ASAP. So you can get your sins taken care of.

I have missed a lot of Masses because I didn’t feel I wasn’t in a good state to partake of the body and blood. Now he who is in sin eats only sin I have heard.

Which of these two philosophies are correct. I can go to Mass Friday and to Confession at regular confession on Saturday if I am indeed in mortal sin.

    Question #2 I have been advised to get a "spiritual director" what is that? I don't know if the pastor would be a good choice the Bishop moves everyone around. The vicar forane is the only priest I know of that's been around here since I joined the church and before.

Bill

Advice?

 

[1ke]

I have heard two very different things here. The first advice is what I’ve always believed:

When in sin go to confession first, if a mortal sin, and then you can receive the Eucharist.

Now I just recently read about this other option. Go to Mass and partake in the Body and Blood and go to confession ASAP. So you can get your sins taken care of.

Confession first. Then Eucharist.

I have missed a lot of Masses because I didn’t feel I wasn’t in a good state to partake of the body and blood. Now he who is in sin eats only sin I have heard.

That is never a reason to miss Mass. You have no obligation to receive the Eucharist at every Mass you attend. You do have an obligation to attend Mass on Sundays and Holy Days.

If you are in a state of serious sin, go to confession before you receive the Eucharist.

I can go to Mass Friday and to Confession at regular confession on Saturday if I am indeed in mortal sin.

Going to daily Mass is commendable. You should not receive the Eucharist if you have not gone to confession.

I have been advised to get a “spiritual director” what is that?

A person trained in helping people with spiritual matters.

Advice?

Ask your pastor, he knows you best and can recommend a spiritual director.

 

[Boy_Wonder]

Abstain from Communion when in need of Confession, but NEVER skip Mass. That’s just an additional sin.

 

[powerofk]

Everything that 1ke said. Except for one caveat - if, for a sufficiently grave reason (generally, confession not being available close by and it would be a burden to travel to a parish holding confession) one cannot make it to confession, one may receive the Eucharist, as long as one has made “An Act of Perfect Contrition” (btw, it’s nearly impossible to know if one has perfect contrition), which must include a determination to go to confession at the soonest possible opportunity.

 

[GLam8833]

thank you for starting this thread, I sometimes refrain from
taking the Eucharist just because I DON’T feel ready, we have
to discern the Death of our Lord and that He gave His body
for us in the bread and wine, if we don’t feel worthy of taking
His person on, I will NOT TAKE communion, period, until
thru prayer and time, I feel it is right even tho I don’t see a
mortal sin in my life that needs confessing!!!
The result of this is that the Eucharist will be a special BLESSING
to those who takes it worthily and like the last book of the Old
Testament describes, will add many blessings to the PROPER
reception of the Eucharist!!! See Malachi 4:2-3

“But for you who revere my name, the Sun of righteousness will
risethe priest hold up the host like the rising sun] with healing
in His wings and you will leap like a calf released from the stall
detachment from desires of the flesh] and trample down the wicked
given authority over the powers of darkness] like ashes under the
soles of your feethow lovely on the mountains are the feet of
those who bring the Good News] on the day which I am preparing”
Says the Lord of hosts.

 

[billcu1]

thank you for starting this thread, I sometimes refrain from
taking the Eucharist just because I DON’T feel ready, we have
to discern the Death of our Lord and that He gave His body
for us in the bread and wine, if we don’t feel worthy of taking
His person on, I will NOT TAKE communion, period, until
thru prayer and time, I feel it is right even tho I don’t see a
mortal sin in my life that needs confessing!!!
The result of this is that the Eucharist will be a special BLESSING
to those who takes it worthily and like the last book of the Old
Testament describes, will add many blessings to the PROPER
reception of the Eucharist!!! See Malachi 4:2-3

“But for you who revere my name, the Sun of righteousness will
risethe priest hold up the host like the rising sun] with healing
in His wings and you will leap like a calf released from the stall
detachment from desires of the flesh] and trample down the wicked
given authority over the powers of darkness] like ashes under the
soles of your feethow lovely on the mountains are the feet of
those who bring the Good News] on the day which I am preparing”
Says the Lord of hosts.

Well going to Mass and partaking does absolve venial sin. So if you are not sure you are in mortal sin. It might be possible that you are not. You don’t mortally sin and not know it. Venial perhaps. But the Mass absolves it.

HTH

Bill

 

[biffoqueen]

not attending mass is a sin.

 

[billcu1]

not attending mass is a sin.

I think you’re referring to Sunday Mass. And not attending the Sat. vigil. At least in the US. I am talking about the weekday Masses. I have a good reason for not coming to Sunday Mass I have talked it over with my pastor. The buses my only transportation do not run on Sunday. I am dispensed. I need to start going earlier on Saturday though to make up for it now that the buses have begun to run at night and I believe I can make the Saturday vigil.

Bill

 

[Vico]

Well going to Mass and partaking does absolve venial sin. So if you are not sure you are in mortal sin. It might be possible that you are not. You don’t mortally sin and not know it. Venial perhaps. But the Mass absolves it.

HTH

Bill

This is an interesting thing you posted that some may not know. Also it is given in more detail by St. Thomas Aquinas who wrote in Summa Theologica, Part III, Question 87. The remission of venial sinArticle 2) “… in order that venial sin be removed, it is not necessary that habitual grace be infused, but a movement of grace or charity suffices for its forgiveness.”

(Article 3) I answer that, As stated above (Article 2), no infusion of fresh grace is required for the forgiveness of a venial sin, but it is enough to have an act proceeding from grace, in detestation of that venial sin, either explicit or at least implicit, as when one is moved fervently to God. Hence, for three reasons, certain things cause the remission of venial sins:

• first, because they imply the infusion of grace, since the infusion of grace removes venial sins, as stated above (Article 2); and so, by the Eucharist, Extreme Unction, and by all the sacraments of the New Law without exception, wherein grace is conferred, venial sins are remitted.
• Secondly, because they imply a movement of detestation for sin, and in this way the general confession ** , the beating of one’s breast, and the Lord’s Prayer conduce to the remission of venial sins, for we ask in the Lord’s Prayer: “Forgive us our trespasses.”
• Thirdly, because they include a movement of reverence for God and Divine things*; and in this way a bishop’s blessing, the sprinkling of holy water, any sacramental anointing, a prayer said in a dedicated church, and anything else of the kind, conduce to the remission of venial sins.

newadvent.org/summa/4087.htm#article1*

 

[biffoqueen]

ok I misunderstood I thought you were referring to Sunday mass only. the rules here are the same vigil on Saturday and mass on Sunday. personally I would never let anything stop me attending mass but then I live beside my local church. I hope it all works out for and god bless

 

[ccmcmg]

I have heard two very different things here. The first advice is what I’ve always believed:

When in sin go to confession first, if a mortal sin, and then you can receive the Eucharist.

Now I just recently read about this other option. Go to Mass and partake in the Body and Blood and go to confession ASAP. So you can get your sins taken care of.
**
I have missed a lot of Masses because I didn’t feel I wasn’t in a good state to partake of the body and blood.** Now he who is in sin eats only sin I have heard.

Which of these two philosophies are correct. I can go to Mass Friday and to Confession at regular confession on Saturday if I am indeed in mortal sin.

    Question #2 I have been advised to get a "spiritual director" what is that? I don't know if the pastor would be a good choice the Bishop moves everyone around. The vicar forane is the only priest I know of that's been around here since I joined the church and before.

Bill

Advice?

Question 2 first: Your Spiritual Director can remain so even if they move to a different parish, whether in the clergy or not. You could work it out with him/her.

Don’t ever receive the Eucharist in the state of mortal sin. Confessing afterwards is not acceptable. You mention missing Mass because you didn’t feel you were in a good state to partake…(see bold above). Did you miss Mass for that reason, or for the reason the buses were not running? It’s tempting to ‘skip Mass’ if you are in mortal sin and unable to confess, but it’s important not to do so, as that makes ANOTHER mortal sin, and you still need the Graces you receive from Mass (attending Mass for Sunday is required; receiving Communion is not).

May God bless and keep you.

 

[GLam8833]

Yes, don’t skip mass because you are not qualified
to take part in communion, go anyway, you’ll be
blessed!

 

[Brendan_64]

Well going to Mass and partaking does absolve venial sin.

My understanding is that it is through the Penitential Act at Mass followed by the absolution by the priest that absolves us of our venial sins, not through partaking in Communion.

 

[Digitonomy]

My understanding is that it is through the Penitential Act at Mass followed by the absolution by the priest that absolves us of our venial sins, not through partaking in Communion.

I thought venial sins were absolved both by the Penitential Act and by Holy Communion. If only the former, presumably those receiving at home or in nursing homes receive in a state of sin.

 

[Brendan_64]

I thought venial sins were absolved both by the Penitential Act and by Holy Communion. If only the former, presumably those receiving at home or in nursing homes receive in a state of sin.

That’s a good point. And I suppose that the fact that people who arrive late for Mass, after the Penitential Act are also permitted to receive would also point to this.

Though, it does bother me a little that many people seem to view the whole purpose of Mass as being to receive Holy Communion, ignoring all the grace that flows throughout the whole of the Mass. I’ve even seem people on these forums suggest that to go to Mass and not receive Holy Communion makes it almost not worth going.

 

[Vico]

My understanding is that it is through the Penitential Act at Mass followed by the absolution by the priest that absolves us of our venial sins, not through partaking in Communion.

Fr. Wm. G. Most writes:
It is not required to be free from all venial sin. The reception itself may forgive venial sins for which one is sorry. But the fruits of receiving are reduced. It is especially needed that one be free from all deliberate venial sin - in contrast to sins of weakness, sins when one is taken off guard.
For fullest benefits, we should be free from all attachment to anything sinful. Some have as it were a gap in their purpose of amendment, as if they said, for example: "I do not intend to commit mortal sins, nor all venial sins. But there are some reservations: if it is hard to stick to the truth, I will not do so, or if it is hard to keep a conversation going without a bit of detraction, that is all right too. These dispositions, sometimes called “affection to venial sin” impose as it were a clamp on one’s heart, for he/she has decided to go so far and no farther. So they effectively prevent spiritual growth beyond a certain point. How sad that many who could grow much, block growth by this means.

ewtn.com/faith/teachings/euchb2.htm

 

[billcu1]

Fr. Wm. G. Most writes:
It is not required to be free from all venial sin. The reception itself may forgive venial sins for which one is sorry. But the fruits of receiving are reduced. It is especially needed that one be free from all deliberate venial sin - in contrast to sins of weakness, sins when one is taken off guard.
For fullest benefits, we should be free from all attachment to anything sinful. Some have as it were a gap in their purpose of amendment, as if they said, for example: "I do not intend to commit mortal sins, nor all venial sins. But there are some reservations: if it is hard to stick to the truth, I will not do so, or if it is hard to keep a conversation going without a bit of detraction, that is all right too. These dispositions, sometimes called “affection to venial sin” impose as it were a clamp on one’s heart, for he/she has decided to go so far and no farther. So they effectively prevent spiritual growth beyond a certain point. How sad that many who could grow much, block growth by this means.

ewtn.com/faith/teachings/euchb2.htm

Free from attachment to anything sinful. That’s a pretty tall order but possible. First one must know everything that is sinful. I have no idea what all is sinful. I some of the Sins unto death the Apostle spoke of. Mary would really need to help on this one.

Bill

 

[Vico]

Free from attachment to anything sinful. That’s a pretty tall order but possible. First one must know everything that is sinful. I have no idea what all is sinful. I some of the Sins unto death the Apostle spoke of. Mary would really need to help on this one.

Bill

For fullest benefits there must be freedom from attachment to sin. It is the attachments to creatures that must be purified in this life or after death, as we do with indulgences:

 

[billcu1]

For fullest benefits there must be freedom from attachment to sin. It is the attachments to creatures that must be purified in this life or after death, as we do with indulgences:

It’s pretty hard to get an indulgence. This year though in this year of mercy I guess indulgences are going to be announced.

Bill

 

[Vico]

It’s pretty hard to get an indulgence. This year though in this year of mercy I guess indulgences are going to be announced.

Bill

But, not so hard for a partial indulgence, and the Church doubles the effect of your indulgenced act.