Sin - Receiving Communion unworthily as a non Catholic

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Many years ago I dated someone who was not Catholic (baptized in a Protestant denomination). She was at mass with me. When I went up to Communion I was surprised to see her in line and receive the Eucharist. I did not try to stop her. Her denomination does have “communion” but it was only symbolic there of course, there was no Real Presence and I believe she honestly did not know that it was inappropriate.

Obviously this was sinful on her part but I think it was mine too. I had never confessed this as some kind of sin of neglect but I plan to next time I go. I think I may have said something to her but it’s possible I didn’t, as this was way back in my “Sunday Catholic” days and it was over 2 decades ago. Am I right thinking I should have actually stopped her when I saw her in line?
 
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Assuming you’ve had a valid confession in which you mentioned all mortal sins you could remember, then it’s forgiven anyway. It doesn’t hurt to mention it, but I’d make sure your priest knows it didn’t happen recently.

Actually for that matter, since it’s venial if a sin at all, it was probably forgiven the next time you prayed the Our Father. I wouldn’t worry about it that much.
 
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I remember Bill Clinton received holy communion more than once. And he knew he shouldn’t.
 
You could have told her she wasn’t allowed to receive if the priest didn’t explain beforehand, shown her what it says on the Missal or spoken to the priest privately.

In the end tho, it would’ve been between herself and God.
 
Sbee0 said:
I was surprised to see her in line and receive the Eucharist. I did not try to stop her. Her denomination does have “communion” but it was only symbolic there of course, there was no Real Presence and I believe she honestly did not know that it was inappropriate.
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Sounds like there likely wasn’t any sin here to begin with; you could hardly do anything about it at the point you realized it was happening, and she didn’t know any better.
 
What? You take things waaaaay too seriously, dude. There was no rant . I guess you don’t recognize tongue in cheek humor. I actually like Bill Clinton. A fellow fast food turned South Beach Diet affecianado.
 
Lee1 said:
I know that venial sins are forgiven in mass but just by saying the Pater Noster? Thank you.
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Really? And I get all hysterical when I mess up slightly and can’t go to confession? 🤦‍♀️ Jeez man…I really have to go through my catechesis again.

PS. Thank you for the info, it sure takes a load off! 😉
 
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You should have told her not to (receive Holy Communion). It could be a sin of omission if you purposely didn’t. However, it happened a long time ago, perhaps it was covered by your previous Confessions. Not to worry now. You can mention it in a Confession if you’re compelled to.
 
Venial sins can be forgiven whenever we perform a pious act.

However, you have to be contrite, have a purpose of amendment, etc.

Also, it has to be a really-o, truly-o, venial sin.

The problem is that sometimes we develop a pattern of sinning, or we fool ourselves into thinking that important sins are just trivial stuff. So it’s not a bad idea to go to Confession, even for venial sins. (It also tends to convince yourself to take your sins and vices seriously, so that you do have a purpose of amendment, and so that you make a plan about how you are going to stop doing that junk.)
 
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Sbee0 said:
Many years ago I dated someone who was not Catholic (baptized in a Protestant denomination). She was at mass with me. When I went up to Communion I was surprised to see her in line and receive the Eucharist. I did not try to stop her.
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What you should have done of course is told her beforehand. Then you wouldn’t have had to worry about stopping her. I do think it was neglectful to not tell her. But it sounds like you yourself didn’t know at the time you should have done so.
Lee1 said:
I know that venial sins are forgiven in mass but just by saying the Pater Noster? Thank you.
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Venial sins are forgiven by an act of contrition, making the sign of the cross, the use of holy water or just telling a God you are sorry.
 
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