Unconfessed v. unrepented

[AlanFromWichita]

I’ve heard the terms “unconfessed mortal sin,” and “unrepented mortal sin” as conditions for loss of heaven.

Is there a difference in the terms? Seems to me there is.

I assume by “repent” we’re not talking about saying the penance from confession, are we?

 

[Bookcat]

One can have perfect contrition in ones repentance prior to confession.

Catechism

Contrition

1451 Among the penitent’s acts contrition occupies first place. Contrition is "sorrow of the soul and detestation for the sin committed, together with the resolution not to sin again."50

1452 When it arises from a love by which God is loved above all else, contrition is called “perfect” (contrition of charity). Such contrition remits venial sins; it also obtains forgiveness of mortal sins if it includes the firm resolution to have recourse to sacramental confession as soon as possible.51

1453 The contrition called “imperfect” (or “attrition”) is also a gift of God, a prompting of the Holy Spirit. It is born of the consideration of sin’s ugliness or the fear of eternal damnation and the other penalties threatening the sinner (contrition of fear). Such a stirring of conscience can initiate an interior process which, under the prompting of grace, will be brought to completion by sacramental absolution. By itself however, imperfect contrition cannot obtain the forgiveness of grave sins, but it disposes one to obtain forgiveness in the sacrament of Penance.52

 

[AlanFromWichita]

Thank you, Bookcat.

I didn’t see they were really giving a definition for “repented” but it sound like if we have act of perfect contrition then since we are determined to get to sacramental confession then we are in pretty good shape in the meanwhile.

Alan

 

[thistle]

Thank you, Bookcat.

I didn’t see they were really giving a definition for “repented” but it sound like if we have act of perfect contrition then since we are determined to get to sacramental confession then we are in pretty good shape in the meanwhile.

Alan

However, perfect contrition is conditional upon your intent to get to Confession as soon as possible. If you have access to and time to go to Confession the same day, for example, but decide you won’t go for a few weeks then that would not be perfect contrition.

 

[AlanFromWichita]

However, perfect contrition is conditional upon your intent to get to Confession as soon as possible. If you have access to and time to go to Confession the same day, for example, but decide you won’t go for a few weeks then that would not be perfect contrition.

Gothca!

Thanks.

 

[In_Training]

However, perfect contrition is conditional upon your intent to get to Confession as soon as possible. If you have access to and time to go to Confession the same day, for example, but decide you won’t go for a few weeks then that would not be perfect contrition.

For real?

I don’t go to confession all that often. I have all the time in the world to go, I’m even at the church at least once a week. But if I go to confession before I’m ready, I tend to get arrogant during it and think I don’t need it or that there’s nothing I need to talk about, and then I get home and regret the way I acted. Do you think the timing of confession is really all that serious? If my head’s not in the right place, I don’t go because I end up being sarcastic or dishonest with my priest. If I do something wrong I almost always know right away and can talk to God about it, but it takes me a long time to admit wrongs to other people.

 

[Bookcat]

For real?

Such is regarding mortal sins.

 

[In_Training]

Such is regarding mortal sins.

I know I should go more often, but I usually don’t until I’ve come around and have the maturity to actually go to confession and be honest. It’s not really intentional, I just know when I’m not ready. I tend to have a “forget you” attitude, and it takes me a while to actually admit to other people that I messed up. It’s getting easier now…I’m more able to take responsibility for things now and not make excuses, but didn’t realize it’s a bad thing to wait to go to confession.

 

[thistle]

For real?

I don’t go to confession all that often. I have all the time in the world to go, I’m even at the church at least once a week. But if I go to confession before I’m ready, I tend to get arrogant during it and think I don’t need it or that there’s nothing I need to talk about, and then I get home and regret the way I acted. Do you think the timing of confession is really all that serious? If my head’s not in the right place, I don’t go because I end up being sarcastic or dishonest with my priest. If I do something wrong I almost always know right away and can talk to God about it, but it takes me a long time to admit wrongs to other people.

Yes for real. That is the Church teaching. Making an act of perfect contrition is conditional upon the firm intent to Confession as soon as possible.