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misstherese
Guest
I think the part I bolded is important as that would indicate there has to be a grave reason and no opportunity to confess. Grave would be something like an emergency or life or death if I’m right
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Maximilian75
Guest
No, it’s very much possible. Did you read the link I posted?
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TheLittleLady
Guest
This is a much higher standard than “I want to receive communion”.a grave reason
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twf
Guest
An act of perfect contrition will restore one to a state of grace, but the Church still asks us to go to sacramental confession prior to receiving unless there is a grave reason to receive (the priest won’t be in your village for another 6 months or you are in danger of death, etc).
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phantom0076
Guest
Making it extra interesting is all the Priests are away for a retreat … There is one for pastoral emergencies but this won’t fit that … So driving to a near by Parish won’t do anything for me in this case
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Maximilian75
Guest
What specifically about it?
Perfect confession is simply being sorry for your sons, not because they may send you to Hell, but because they crucified Christ on the Cross.
Perfect confession is simply being sorry for your sons, not because they may send you to Hell, but because they crucified Christ on the Cross.
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ajfrab
Guest
Actually, the commentary for the Code of Cannon Law indicates that grave reasons could include the danger of death, and even serious embarrassment if communion is not taken. It also states that lack of opportunity to confess includes the lack of a confessor, the inability to approach the confessor at a scheduled time, and availability only of a confessor who is personally known and cannot be approached without embarrassment.I think the part I bolded is important as that would indicate there has to be a grave reason and no opportunity to confess. Grave would be something like an emergency or life or death if I’m right
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2towers
Guest
That has always been my understanding. If there is a threat of death looming, or a serious operation looming then one could partake, but this might also the definition of a sacramental emergency.It does also say “and … no opportunity to confess” so that would seem redundant, wouldn’t it?
I was under the impression a grave reason would be danger of death or something like that.
Simply wanting to partake, and not being able to confess due not having a priest around, is not enough reason I do not believe.
Taking communion in a state of mortal sin is considered sacrilege or scandal. It would do more harm than good. You will receive graces simply by going to Mass, even if you do not partake. I know it hurts not to be able to take communion, but I would rather be cautious.
One more thing, my confessor said that if there is a doubt that you are in mortal sin, it would be ok to partake. If you are reasonably sure your in mortal sin, no.
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LillyFaith
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Yes, you should abstain from recieving the Holy Eucharist. It is a greater act of humility to not recieve and God is happy when you do so. Obviously He’s happier when you are in a state of grace and able to recieve, but for the time being it’d be better to avoid it. I go to confession every week and when I can’t make it, when I’m in the state of mortal sin, I don’t recieve. Also, you probably already knew this but Jesus sees your attempts to make it to confession, and if you cannot make it, He will not hold your sins against you. He judges our hearts. God bless.
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misstherese
Guest
…seriously? I’ve had to abstain from communion many times and it was embarrassing. I don’t think anyone can avoid the embarrassment. I think maybe if the priest has to celebrate mass and has no opportunity to confess this would be necessary, but I don’t see embarrassment being a grave enough reason thoughserious embarrassment if communion is not taken.
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JimR-OCDS
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An act of humility not to receive Our Lord Jesus ?
It’s more likely scrupulosity or even Satan convincing you that you’re not worthy to receive.
My former confessor, who had a PHD in Theology and was once head of the Theology Department at a Catholic College, told me, if you feel God calling you to receive Holy Communion do so, then come to Confession as soon as you can.
He also told me that the conditions for discerning mortal sin are not infallible, but a guide.
Lastly, not lay person should tell another Catholic not to receive Holy Communion. To do so shows a lack of humility.
Jim
It’s more likely scrupulosity or even Satan convincing you that you’re not worthy to receive.
My former confessor, who had a PHD in Theology and was once head of the Theology Department at a Catholic College, told me, if you feel God calling you to receive Holy Communion do so, then come to Confession as soon as you can.
He also told me that the conditions for discerning mortal sin are not infallible, but a guide.
Lastly, not lay person should tell another Catholic not to receive Holy Communion. To do so shows a lack of humility.
Jim
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ajfrab
Guest
I hear you. But I didn’t write the commentary. This commentary was commissioned by the Cannon Law Society of America and used in graduate programs and seminaries around the country.
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LilyM
Guest
Perfect contrition remits sin, even mortal sin.
But it doesn’t mean you are free to receive the Eucharist without confession unless, as Canon states, you have ‘grave reason’ to receive.
The ‘grave reason’ exception would include, for example, someone extremely ill and housebound who may have a lay minister of communion able to bring them the sacrament but not a priest to attend them to hear their confession first.
It wouldn’t seem to include Joe Schmoe who has simply sinned and not yet had a chance to get to confession.
But it doesn’t mean you are free to receive the Eucharist without confession unless, as Canon states, you have ‘grave reason’ to receive.
The ‘grave reason’ exception would include, for example, someone extremely ill and housebound who may have a lay minister of communion able to bring them the sacrament but not a priest to attend them to hear their confession first.
It wouldn’t seem to include Joe Schmoe who has simply sinned and not yet had a chance to get to confession.
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LillyFaith
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It can be very humble to no go up to receive communion especially when everyone can see that you are not partaking in the Eucharist. It’s like admitting that you have done wrong and as a result, you are doing what needs to be done in order to be more Christ-like. We obviously all have free will. I used to try to convince myself when I was around 12 that I didn’t commit any mortal sins even when it was clears as day that I did. I would receive the Eucharist anyways because of my pride. I didn’t want anyone to see that I had fallen in my faith. That all changed one day and I started to turn my life around. That was 3 years ago and I’d like to think I’m making a good recovery from my ways of pride.
Excuse me on this error, I was unaware. I was going for the approach as you have demonstrated here:Lastly, not lay person should tell another Catholic not to receive Holy Communion. To do so shows a lack of humility.
Only if you’re in a state of mortal sin, are you required to abstain from receiving Holy Communion.
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LilyM
Guest
Jim - people who have not the slightest remorse for their grave sins and no intention of ever confessing might also claim to ‘feel called’ to receive.
In fact I would fo so far as to say basically everyone who receives feels called to do so.
Your professor’s criteria, with all respect to them, makes it look like there is no such thing as receiving unworthily.
And many saints are recorded as sometimes abstaining from receiving. From memory, Joan of Arc reported that she received once a month or something like that, without any indication that she was in mortal sin between times. You can hardly claim that she was doing so under diabolical inspiration!
In fact I would fo so far as to say basically everyone who receives feels called to do so.
Your professor’s criteria, with all respect to them, makes it look like there is no such thing as receiving unworthily.
And many saints are recorded as sometimes abstaining from receiving. From memory, Joan of Arc reported that she received once a month or something like that, without any indication that she was in mortal sin between times. You can hardly claim that she was doing so under diabolical inspiration!
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runningdude
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“As soon as possible” covers the circumstances where confession would not be possible.
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phil19034
Guest
It’s not impossible— it’s just impossible to objectively know if we’ve obtained itIsn’t perfect contrition impossible?
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phil19034
Guest
This is my understanding too. The Act of Perfection Contrition theologically allows you to receive, but canonical does not unless there is a grave reason to receive.Perfect contrition remits sin, even mortal sin.
But it doesn’t mean you are free to receive the Eucharist without confession unless, as Canon states, you have ‘grave reason’ to receive.
The ‘grave reason’ exception would include, for example, someone extremely ill and housebound who may have a lay minister of communion able to bring them the sacrament but not a priest to attend them to hear their confession first.
It wouldn’t seem to include Joe Schmoe who has simply sinned and not yet had a chance to get to confession.
Not wanting to stay in your pew at communion time is not a grave enough reason.
However, if you were going off to war or have a very dangerous job (like SWAT) then yes, that would be grave. Or if you are sick with a terminal illness or about to have a dangerous surgery… all of those would be grave enough to receive.
But being embarrassed because you were not able to receiving the Sacrament of Reconciliation is not a grave reason.
God Bless
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