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coolduude
Guest
…should one recieve the Eucharist or abstain?
Coolduude
Coolduude
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Tantum_ergo
Guest
My opinion–if one is in doubt. . .abstain, and get to confession ASAP.
My reason: One is not obliged to receive the Eucharist at every Mass. And of course, one should not receive the Eucharist if one is in a state of grave sin.
So. . .If there is a chance. . .a doubt. . .I would not receive, and I would get to confession ASAP.
My reason: One is not obliged to receive the Eucharist at every Mass. And of course, one should not receive the Eucharist if one is in a state of grave sin.
So. . .If there is a chance. . .a doubt. . .I would not receive, and I would get to confession ASAP.
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jmcrae
Guest
I think it depends on what you are thinking. If you are thinking, “I did that while knowing it was wrong, but I read somewhere that there are cases when this isn’t a sin” then you need to abstain from Holy Communion and get to Confession ASAP.
But if you are thinking, “Oops, I just read on CAF that this is a sin, but I did that last week thinking it was okay,” then go ahead and receive Holy Communion, but also mention it at your next Confession, in order to receive advice on how to overcome it if it’s a bad habit, or how to forestall whatever temporal consequences may come about from it.
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coolduude
Guest
Well I think I’m having a hard time discerning mortal from venial sins (in some cases) so I’ll just play this week safe and not get Communion.
A
aspirant
Guest
Don’t act on a doubtful conscience.
This applies to everything. If a person really does not know whether an action is good or bad, he shouldn’t do it.
The only exception I can think of is when someone’s own judgment is so impaired by scrupulosity and he has been advised by his spiritual director to behave in a particular way.
B
Bookcat
Guest
We are not to receive when we are conscious of mortal sin (mortal, serious, grave).
usccb.org/liturgy/current/intercom.shtml
From the Compendium of the Catechism
- When does one commit a mortal sin?
1874
One commits a mortal sin when there are simultaneously present: grave matter, full knowledge, and deliberate consent. This sin destroys charity in us, deprives us of sanctifying grace, and, if unrepented, leads us to the eternal death of hell. It can be forgiven in the ordinary way by means of the sacraments of Baptism and of Penance or Reconciliation.
- When does one commit a venial sin?
1875
One commits a venial sin, which is essentially different from a mortal sin, when the matter involved is less serious or, even if it is grave, when full knowledge or complete consent are absent. Venial sin does not break the covenant with God but it weakens charity and manifests a disordered affection for created goods. It impedes the progress of a soul in the exercise of the virtues and in the practice of moral good. It merits temporal punishment which purifies.
- What is required to receive Holy Communion?
1415
To receive Holy Communion one must be fully incorporated into the Catholic Church and be in the state of grace, that is, not conscious of being in mortal sin. Anyone who is conscious of having committed a grave sin must first receive the sacrament of Reconciliation before going to Communion. Also important for those receiving Holy Communion are a spirit of recollection and prayer, observance of the fast prescribed by the Church, and an appropriate disposition of the body (gestures and dress) as a sign of respect for Christ.
- What are the fruits of Holy Communion?
1416
Holy Communion increases our union with Christ and with his Church. It preserves and renews the life of grace received at Baptism and Confirmation and makes us grow in love for our neighbor. It strengthens us in charity, wipes away venial sins and preserves us from mortal sin in the future.
M
Meisake
Guest
You can choose to receive the Eucharist. Apparently, one does not have full knowledge of the act committed.
I, personally, don’t feel comfortable when I’m in doubt about mortal sin. I would just receive a blessing or not even go up to the altar. Later, I would find out that what I did was just a venial sin or no sin at all. I would also blame my uneasiness on my scrupulous conscience.
I, personally, don’t feel comfortable when I’m in doubt about mortal sin. I would just receive a blessing or not even go up to the altar. Later, I would find out that what I did was just a venial sin or no sin at all. I would also blame my uneasiness on my scrupulous conscience.
G
glenaitken
Guest
you can;t accidently commit mortal sin because it is a fully free act where you have both full consent of the will and the mind. think about the action adn the reasons for it. was your mind and heart free? did you know what you were doing was an eternal offense against God? if any part of the following is missing, then it is not mortal: full knowledge of the act, full consent of the will, full consent of the mind (intellect), and it was grave matter.
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Lief_Erikson
Guest
You know, I want to keep this post in mind for the future. When I see people not coming forward to receive the Eucharist, barring physical problems, I usually assume one of two things. Either the person is in mortal sin or the person is not a Catholic (and those who are attending Mass while non-Catholic are pretty cool if you ask me). HOWEVER, I now see that that is not a valid assumption. I have met people here, in addition to you, who have chosen not to receive Eucharist because they feared they were in mortal sin but were incorrect. I suspect that this happens fairly often with some people. So it is very unjust for me to label people in my mind when they don’t receive the Eucharist. There’s probably a lot of diversity of reasons but they aren’t all “guiltyish” ones
.
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aspirant
Guest
I never really notice who stays in the pews and who doesn’t. But having often been someone staying in the pew, both before and after becoming Catholic, I say a special prayer for everyone who isn’t receiving the Eucharist that day, regardless what their reasons may be. 
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spirit4life
Guest
ALREADY received at prior mass, sick(cold/digestion probs, etc), Failing to properly fast before mass, Baptized but never had 1st Communion yet, and many other reasons are also valid and prudent reasons for not receiving - most of this taught to grade school kiddos; I’m really surprised you actually thought that about folks abstaining; how old are you ?You know, I want to keep this post in mind for the future. When I see people not coming forward to receive the Eucharist, barring physical problems, I usually assume one of two things. Either the person is in mortal sin or the person is not a Catholic (and those who are attending Mass while non-Catholic are pretty cool if you ask me). HOWEVER, I now see that that is not a valid assumption. I have met people here, in addition to you, who have chosen not to receive Eucharist because they feared they were in mortal sin but were incorrect. I suspect that this happens fairly often with some people. So it is very unjust for me to label people in my mind when they don’t receive the Eucharist. There’s probably a lot of diversity of reasons but they aren’t all “guiltyish” ones
To the OP - if in doubt, abstain and get to CF asap, as already suggested.
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qui_est_ce
Guest
You should see what it’s like at 6:30 AM mass. It sticks out like like a sore thumb when you don’t go. The priest caught me after mass and told me he’s doing Confessions on Saturday! It sounds horrible, but really, it was a very sweet gesture.You know, I want to keep this post in mind for the future. When I see people not coming forward to receive the Eucharist, barring physical problems, I usually assume one of two things. Either the person is in mortal sin or the person is not a Catholic (and those who are attending Mass while non-Catholic are pretty cool if you ask me). HOWEVER, I now see that that is not a valid assumption. I have met people here, in addition to you, who have chosen not to receive Eucharist because they feared they were in mortal sin but were incorrect. I suspect that this happens fairly often with some people. So it is very unjust for me to label people in my mind when they don’t receive the Eucharist. There’s probably a lot of diversity of reasons but they aren’t all “guiltyish” ones
Having the courage to not go for three days in a row in a small group of daily regulars is a huge penance for me.
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Lief_Erikson
Guest
24ALREADY received at prior mass, sick(cold/digestion probs, etc), Failing to properly fast before mass, Baptized but never had 1st Communion yet, and many other reasons are also valid and prudent reasons for not receiving - most of this taught to grade school kiddos; I’m really surprised you actually thought that about folks abstaining; how old are you ?
. I didn’t think of those reasons you mentioned 
."qui est ce:
It would be for me too!
Kind of tells me something about my ego . . .But on the bright side, you’ve been actively mortifying yours, as you should be.
That’s kind of youI never really notice who stays in the pews and who doesn’t. But having often been someone staying in the pew, both before and after becoming Catholic, I say a special prayer for everyone who isn’t receiving the Eucharist that day, regardless what their reasons may be.
.I’m glad you don’t notice anyone in the pews. That’s the way it should be.
S
spirit4life
Guest
Yeah, that definately ‘blows’ the ‘Already received@prior mass’ cover . . . .
A
aspirant
Guest
I need to keep my attention focused on prayer during Communion. I don’t need to be wondering about who’s receiving, who’s not, and why.
Regarding the prayer for anyone not receiving, whatever the reason: We’re all in this together. I hope they pray for me too, whether I’m receiving or not.
Regarding the prayer for anyone not receiving, whatever the reason: We’re all in this together. I hope they pray for me too, whether I’m receiving or not.
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