What do I do if I remember mortal sin upon receiving Communion?

[skyang]

At the evening Mass I attended recently, I remembered that I was in the state of mortal sin only after the Eucharist was already in my mouth. Unsure of what to do, I kept it on my tongue until I returned to my dormitory and wrapped it in a Kleenex. I do not want to offend God but it also feels wrong to throw the bread away. What should I do?

 

[Michelle_Arnold]

At the time you should have just gone ahead and swallowed the Eucharist. By your account, you only remembered your sin once Communion was already in your mouth, so swallowing the Eucharist at that point merely would have been protection for the host and not a deliberate reception of Communion while in mortal sin. In any event, however well-meaning your intentions, you should not have left the Mass with the Eucharist. If you believed you could not swallow it, you should have given it to a priest or deacon for disposal after Mass. As for what to do now, take it back to the church and give it to a priest or deacon for disposal. But keep in mind that it is no longer “bread” but the body and blood of our Lord.

I don’t know the sin you committed, and certainly you should go to confession if you believe you’ve committed a mortal sin. I do think that the circumstances you report indicate a possibility though that you may be suffering scrupulosity, a condition in which the person thinks he’s committed mortal sin where there is no sin (or only venial sin). It is not common for a person with a normal conscience to suddenly remember a mortal sin in the very act of receiving Communion. But it is indeed common for a scrupulous person to fear receiving Communion because of some action he “suddenly” remembers and believes (oftentimes erroneously) was a mortal sin. If there is a possibility that you could be suffering scrupulosity, ask your confessor for a referral to a spiritual director experienced in helping people with scrupulosity.

Recommended reading:

Understanding Scrupulosity by Thomas M. Santa, C.Ss.R.