Struggling to have perfect contrition

[Verbum_Caro]

Hm, I have another question.

. . .

Does this mean mortal sins are forgiven with perfect contrition but we need to go to confession to have them absolved?

Yes. Perfect contrition forgives mortal sin and returns one to the state of grace, so long as it also includes the resolve to go to confession as soon as possible.

You still have to go to confession to be absolved, just as you said. In such a case the absolution is for sins already forgiven, but nevertheless, the absolution imparts sacramental grace. You also are fulfilling the divine command to confess your sins and to submit them to the power of the keys.

A similar thing happens when someone forgets a mortal sin in confession. If they innocently forgot to mention it, it is still forgiven and you are still returned to the state of grace in that sacrament. However, if you recall the sin later you are obligated to confess it at your next confession (assuming you still recall it) even though it has already been forgiven, because you must submit it to the power of the keys.

It is important to remember, however, that confessing and receiving absolution is the normative way that Christ intended for all persons to receive grace and forgiveness of sins committed after baptism. Christ instituted the sacrament to impart grace, and it is easier and more sure way of obtaining forgiveness of sin than any other way.

Any help?
VC

 

[thistle]

Yes. Perfect contrition forgives mortal sin and returns one to the state of grace, so long as it also includes the resolve to go to confession as soon as possible.

You still have to go to confession to be absolved, just as you said. In such a case the absolution is for sins already forgiven, but nevertheless, the absolution imparts sacramental grace. You also are fulfilling the divine command to confess your sins and to submit them to the power of the keys.

A similar thing happens when someone forgets a mortal sin in confession. If they innocently forgot to mention it, it is still forgiven and you are still returned to the state of grace in that sacrament. However, if you recall the sin later you are obligated to confess it at your next confession (assuming you still recall it) even though it has already been forgiven, because you must submit it to the power of the keys.

It is important to remember, however, that confessing and receiving absolution is the normative way that Christ intended for all persons to receive grace and forgiveness of sins committed after baptism. Christ instituted the sacrament to impart grace, and it is easier and more sure way of obtaining forgiveness of sin than any other way.

Any help?
VC

Catholic Encyclopedia:

“Absolution is the **forgiveness **of debt, especially the remission of sin. In Catholic theology, absolution is the forgiveness imparted to the penitent by the priest-confessor in Christ’s name as the Sacrament of Reconciliation.”

 

[Verbum_Caro]

Yes thistle,

Absolution is the forgiveness imparted by a priest in the sacrament of confession. I’ve never said otherwise.

See one of my previous posts on this thread:

me:

Forgiveness of sins and restoration of the state of grace differs from sacramental absolution. Sacramental absolution does forgive sins and restore one to grace, but one may receive extra-sacramental forgiveness before going to confession.

What are you trying to point out?

VC

 

[Snowy]

I have never been afraid of God or of Hell; that’s probably foolish, but it helps a lot when it comes to being contrite.

I’ll tell you about a personal revelation I had, in case you might find it helpful: A few weeks ago I was getting ready for my first Confession in 34 years, and when I went to bed at night I decided to remember all my mortal sins and make an act of contrition for them. I did the best I could without racking my brains or tearing off my shirt, and then I dozed off. I started to dream, and saw a slide show of a bunch of sins that I had forgotten to remember. I was conscious enough to realize that what I was dreaming were sins I had actually commited, and felt sorry for each one of them. After feeling sorry for each sin, a voice inside my head said “you are forgiven, my son”. When I woke up, I remembered what had happened but couldn’t remember what those particular sins were, so I couldn’t confess them when I eventually got myself to the Confessionary. I understand that I received absolution for all of my past sins.

 

[LordNecro]

I have never been afraid of God or of Hell; that’s probably foolish, but it helps a lot when it comes to being contrite.

Why is that? I think perhaps it’s because once the element of fear is gone, all that is left is love. But does anyone have any thoughts about this? I posted something similar to this a couple of days ago and have been awaiting the backlash, that has never come…