Vows and mortal sin

[McatholicN]

I believe that it is possible that I may have made a vow never to have fun a couple years ago (I was a bit scrupulous), though I am not sure if I made it. Am I committing mortal sin by having any fun since I am unsure about it (which I’ve heard is sufficient for mortal sin)?

 

[Teencatholic44]

Why did you make a vow like this? That might help us be able to answer the question…

 

[shaky]

I believe that it is possible that I may have made a vow never to have fun a couple years ago (I was a bit scrupulous), though I am not sure if I made it. Am I committing mortal sin by having any fun since I am unsure about it (which I’ve heard is sufficient for mortal sin)?

Whats wrong with Fun. The most Active Group on this forum is {The very fun club}.

Also what about Nun-es or priests who make Vows. Then later they leave the priesthood. or the sisterhood.

 

[promethius]

I believe that it is possible that I may have made a vow never to have fun a couple years ago (I was a bit scrupulous), though I am not sure if I made it. Am I committing mortal sin by having any fun since I am unsure about it (which I’ve heard is sufficient for mortal sin)?

No. Not a valid vow anyway. Fun and enjoyment are part of God’s plan for humanity. We are SUPPOSED to delight in the goodness of God’s creation (in good and wholesome ways). You can’t licitly vow to not be human, so you can’t licitly vow NOT to have fun.

Now, stop being scrupulous and go live a little (in a moral, clean, and Christian way!)

 

[McatholicN]

But a vow must be good, and this vow could’ve been intended to bring me closer to God, so it would fill that requirement.

 

[Teencatholic44]

But a vow must be good, and this vow could’ve been intended to bring me closer to God, so it would fill that requirement.

How could not embracing God’s awesome gifts be something that could bring you closer to Him? Was it meant as a fast or something? If so wouldn’t that only be temporary…?

 

[Bookcat]

I believe that it is possible that I may have made a vow never to have fun a couple years ago (I was a bit scrupulous), though I am not sure if I made it. Am I committing mortal sin by having any fun since I am unsure about it (which I’ve heard is sufficient for mortal sin)?

A vow is “a deliberate and free promise made to God about a possible and better good”

Not so sure what you thought of a couple of years ago could even BE vowed.

As for the “unsureness being sufficient for mortal sin” …remember for mortal sin one needs grave matter, full knowledge and deliberate consent…

 

[McatholicN]

A vow is “a deliberate and free promise made to God about a possible and better good”

Not so sure what you thought of a couple of years ago could even BE vowed.

As for the “unsureness being sufficient for mortal sin” …remember for mortal sin one needs grave matter, full knowledge and deliberate consent…

Isn’t unsureness still sufficient for mortal sin?

 

[Bookcat]

Isn’t unsureness still sufficient for mortal sin?

All depends on what one means by unsureness…

If for example your unsure if the movement up there in the bush is a deer or your hunting partner…and you go ahead and shoot…yes such can be grave matter and if done with full knowledge and deliberate consent is a mortal sin. (not a hunter…this is just one classic example).

here the grave matter would be to shoot at something when one is unsure if it is a deer or a person.

 

[promethius]

But a vow must be good, and this vow could’ve been intended to bring me closer to God, so it would fill that requirement.

No. Such a dehumanizing vow would neither bring you closer to God, nor would it be good. Even if you did make such a vow, it would not be valid, therefore is not binding in any way.

Like I said, stop being scrupulous and go have some good Christian fun, then be sure to thank God for the goodness He puts in your life.

 

[TimothyH]

I was reading about vows just this morning and so now I can show off an look smart. I’m so looking forward to purgatory!

Canon 1119 defines a vow as:
…a deliberate and free promise made to God concerning a possible and better good which must be fulfilled by reason of he virtue of religion. …exactly as stated by bookcat and others.

Your vow was hardly possible unless you were comatose or something. Nor could never having fun be considered a greater good, unless it was some form of wierd pennance or something.

I’m guessing that it wasn’t a valid vow. Confess it if you are worried about it, chalk it up and move on. Congratulations if that is the worst sin you have to worry about.

-Tim-

 

[Bookcat]

A vow is “a deliberate and free promise made to God about a possible and better good”

Not so sure what you thought of a couple of years ago could even BE vowed.

As for the “unsureness being sufficient for mortal sin” …remember for mortal sin one needs grave matter, full knowledge and deliberate consent…

PS: And not every vow is a grave obligation to begin with!!

and also …one can ask ones pastor to dispense one from an actual private vow.

 

[McatholicN]

All depends on what one means by unsureness…

If for example your unsure if the movement up there in the bush is a deer or your hunting partner…and you go ahead and shoot…yes such can be grave matter and if done with full knowledge and deliberate consent is a mortal sin. (not a hunter…this is just one classic example).

here the grave matter would be to shoot at something when one is unsure if it is a deer or a person.

What kind of unsureness is this then? I think I might get it dispensed, but then I would think that I would’ve been committing mortal sin since I got it dispensed.

 

[Bookcat]

What kind of unsureness is this then? I think I might get it dispensed, but then I would think that I would’ve been committing mortal sin since I got it dispensed.

Look…a person who makes a vow is generally not going to be unsure about it afterwards…unless he gets hit on the head or something…

and as I and others noted what you propose to have possibly vowed…does not seem even possible to vow…

One may also seek the advice of ones confessor.

 

[Musicadmirer]

Confess it if you are worried about it, chalk it up and move on.

One may also seek the advice of ones confessor.

You have two recommendations to go to Confession. Ask a priest either by phone or in person OR you could PM Fr. Serpa about this. If it is indicated to you that it was a sin, then go to confession.