Was I right to receive communion?

[jtavington]

Before Mass, I was praying the rosary and got the conviction that something I did months ago was a mortal sin. At the time, I’d convinced myself it wasn’t grave matter, but had a vested interest in that conclusion. I’ve made a few confessions since then and certainly would have confessed it I’d thought it was mortal. (Haven’t thought of the incident in a while and didn’t even enter my brain. I made an act of contrition and have made amends as far as possible. Was I right to receive communion? I figure yes but mention it at next confession.

 

[JanSobieskiIII]

Pretty sure you’re not guilty of mortal sin if you didn’t know it was a mortal sin at the time it was committed.

 

[LoyalViews]

You are fine. If you did something, not knowing it’s mortal sin, and then found out after that it was mortal sin, then you have naught to worry.

Guilt is a good sign of a pious soul. I wish I could be more like that. You need not to worry.

 

[Reuben_J]

That was post-Confession. When in doubt do use the definition of mortal sin as your guideline - that it is grave matter committed with full knowledge and consent.

So obviously it was not mortal sin for you even though it was grave.

Do not make it more than it is. Sometimes we do that but remember that God wants mercy not sacrifice, a fact we often forget in our guilt and remorse. We remorse of our sins and wrong doing and God is glad about it. His response is forgiveness and restoration of the broken relationship caused by the sin.

Have a blessed Good Friday.

 

[jtavington]

My principal worry was that the ignorance might’ve been crass (sin involved a hobby I enjoy–“eh, it’s only venial and it’s fun”) but my parish priest has told me in the past that I didn’t have to confess things I’d forgotten to confess last time. I think that means if I’d intended to confess all my mortal sins, then I only needed to worry about future sins. It was on that basis that I received since by then it honestly didn’t occur to me to confess it but I would have, having already have decided to give it up.

But I’ll tamp down my anxiety and hope I got that indulgence tonight.

 

[Arkansan]

One is required to confess all mortal sins. So if you remembered an old mortal sin, you are obliged to confess it at your next confession, but do not need to abstain in the meantime.

Technically, the obligation only applies to mortal sins that you are certain of, but if you are not scrupulous then it is better to confess a doubtful mortal sin.