The Holy Eucharist and Venial Sins

[christcnection1]

My understanding is that the normal reception of the Holy Eucharist washes one of all venial sins.

If that’s the case, one’s soul is essentially perfect immediately after receiving Him, right? (Assuming one received Him worthily)

What then is the point of an indulgence if one has a pure soul after reception of our Lord?

Why have Confession after Mass?

I must be missing something here.

 

[dylanschrader]

Indulgences don’t forgive sins. They’re for sins which have already been forgiven.

The Catechism says:

1472 To understand this doctrine and practice of the Church, it is necessary to understand that sin has a double consequence. Grave sin deprives us of communion with God and therefore makes us incapable of eternal life, the privation of which is called the “eternal punishment” of sin. On the other hand every sin, even venial, entails an unhealthy attachment to creatures, which must be purified either here on earth, or after death in the state called Purgatory. This purification frees one from what is called the “temporal punishment” of sin. These two punishments must not be conceived of as a kind of vengeance inflicted by God from without, but as following from the very nature of sin. A conversion which proceeds from a fervent charity can attain the complete purification of the sinner in such a way that no punishment would remain.84

1473 The forgiveness of sin and restoration of communion with God entail the remission of the eternal punishment of sin, but temporal punishment of sin remains. While patiently bearing sufferings and trials of all kinds and, when the day comes, serenely facing death, the Christian must strive to accept this temporal punishment of sin as a grace. He should strive by works of mercy and charity, as well as by prayer and the various practices of penance, to put off completely the “old man” and to put on the “new man.”

 

[christcnection1]

Indulgences don’t forgive sins. They’re for sins which have already been forgiven.

The Catechism says:

Thank you for reminding me. Although I did know that, I wasn’t making the distinction.

So would it be accurate to suggest the two idea are complimentary, in the sense that having less venial sin (reception of our Lord) would generally lessen one’s need for expiation?

 

[dylanschrader]

Thank you for reminding me. Although I did know that, I wasn’t making the distinction.

So would it be accurate to suggest the two idea are complimentary, in the sense that having less venial sin (reception of our Lord) would generally lessen one’s need for expiation?

Receiving the Eucharist worthily increases sanctifying grace and help one to avoid sin. Receiving the Eucharist worthily also remits some of the temporal punishment due to sin.

 

[hilde_the_dog]

Christcnection1

You have confession after Mass? Or is this confession in between masses.

 

[christcnection1]

Christcnection1

You have confession after Mass? Or is this confession in between masses.

Not normally! However, in a couple instances that was the case. It wasn’t part of a regularly weekly schedule though. I vaguely recall one was a special event, perhaps a retreat.

Likewise, I question the benefit of regular Confession if one goes to Mass reguarly. I try to go to Confession on a monthly basis (not that I have mortal sin), but because it seems to be a good spiritual discipline. I am just wondering if there is any substantial grace associated with it?

 

[LilyM]

There’s your answer. If the Eucharist only remits SOME of the temporal punishment due to sin, whereas a Plenary indulgence remits ALL of it, then it’s still worth trying to gain a Plenary Indulgence. And you can gain Indulgences on behalf of the souls in purgatory as well, while you can’t receive the Eucharist on their behalf.

As for confession - well, very simply the more frequently you receive either confession or communion the greater graces you receive to avoid future sin. And since even the just man falls seven times a day we all need all the graces we can get!

Not to mention the counsel you receive in the confessional, which of itself can be very helpful in this regard.