When to abstain from the Eucharist while waiting for confession

[redbaron162]

Alright lets get down to the nitty gritty. Most parish’s only offer confession once a week and usually only at certain times. So my question is how do we know at what point we should abstain from receiving the Eucharist because of sin? The answer by the book is if it’s mortal sin but how do you know that it is. What exactly constitutes grave matter? It is said that mortal sin completely separates the soul from God but not every sin constitutes a complete separation from God, especially if you have immediate contrition.

“A person who is conscious of mortal sin must first make a sacramental confession and receive absolution. If no legitimate opportunity exists for first going to confession, then a person may make an act of perfect contrition with the pledge to the Lord to go to Penance as soon as possible before receiving Holy Communion (Code of Canon Law, #916).”

So on a usual basis if you have a sin on your conscious, possibly even a serious one (Not like murder or adultery but still decently bad) but due to your parish’s confession times you have to wait till the next week can you still receive the Eucharist? I know that theoretically you can make appointments but we all know we cant be doing that every other week.

 

[Maximilian75]

When in doubt, sit it out.
To reccieve the Eucharist in a state of grace sin is serious sacrilege, and a mortal sin in and of itself. Better to play it safe, especially when your soul is on the line.

 

[Tis_Bearself]

So many people seem to sit it out at Spanish language Masses and TLMs that I almost feel like I’m committing the sin of pride when I go up (usually having to climb over people in my pew), even if I’ve just been to Confession the day before.

 

[1Lord1Faith]

Two different things that contradict each other cannot both be true at the same place and time.

You cannot desire to repent and be with God, and at the same time be unrepentant and reject God.

Please, go receive Communion.

 

[thistle]

Alright lets get down to the nitty gritty. Most parish’s only offer confession once a week and usually only at certain times. So my question is how do we know at what point we should abstain from receiving the Eucharist because of sin? The answer by the book is if it’s mortal sin but how do you know that it is. What exactly constitutes grave matter? It is said that mortal sin completely separates the soul from God but not every sin constitutes a complete separation from God, especially if you have immediate contrition.

“A person who is conscious of mortal sin must first make a sacramental confession and receive absolution. If no legitimate opportunity exists for first going to confession, then a person may make an act of perfect contrition with the pledge to the Lord to go to Penance as soon as possible before receiving Holy Communion (Code of Canon Law, #916).”

So on a usual basis if you have a sin on your conscious, possibly even a serious one (Not like murder or adultery but still decently bad) but due to your parish’s confession times you have to wait till the next week can you still receive the Eucharist? I know that theoretically you can make appointments but we all know we cant be doing that every other week.

Its not complicated. If you know you are in a state of mortal sin or are not sure then you abstain from receiving Communion.

 

[Vico]

Alright lets get down to the nitty gritty. Most parish’s only offer confession once a week and usually only at certain times. So my question is how do we know at what point we should abstain from receiving the Eucharist because of sin? The answer by the book is if it’s mortal sin but how do you know that it is. What exactly constitutes grave matter? It is said that mortal sin completely separates the soul from God but not every sin constitutes a complete separation from God, especially if you have immediate contrition.

“A person who is conscious of mortal sin must first make a sacramental confession and receive absolution. If no legitimate opportunity exists for first going to confession, then a person may make an act of perfect contrition with the pledge to the Lord to go to Penance as soon as possible before receiving Holy Communion (Code of Canon Law, #916).”

So on a usual basis if you have a sin on your conscious, possibly even a serious one (Not like murder or adultery but still decently bad) but due to your parish’s confession times you have to wait till the next week can you still receive the Eucharist? I know that theoretically you can make appointments but we all know we cant be doing that every other week.

Each person is responsible to learn what is grave matter before acting. If there is a serious doubt about its gravity when done then it would be uncharitable through indifference.

 

[twf]

Compared to some English OF Masses where the usher almost grabs you by the collar and shakes you if you DON’T go up! Haha

Seriously though, I truly despise that practice (ushers guiding each pew to communion). Only some parishes do it. Those that don’t never seem to have an issue with an orderly procession. I remember one parish where the usher would patrol behind communion lines tapping people on the shoulder and sending them to another line if one line got shorter / longer. The worst thing is when you aren’t receiving and the usher looks at you when it’s your pew’s turn “are you coming up?”

 

[UpUpAndAway]

There is also no rule that says that a person has to confess in his/her parish. Other parishes may have Confession scheduled more often and/or on different days of the week. Within a fifteen-mile radius of my territorial parish, I can confess any day of the week.

Failing that possibility, one could always abstain from the Eucharist.

 

[lilypadrees]

Because the priest at the hospital does Confession after Mass each day, I receive and then immediately go to Confession.

 

[BlackFriar]

So lets accurately quote the Canon:

Canon 916 Anyone who is conscious of grave sin may not celebrate Mass or receive the Body of the Lord without previously having been to sacramental confession, unless there is a grave reason and there is no opportunity to confess; in this case the person is to remember the
obligation to make an act of perfect contrition, which includes the resolve to go to confession as
soon as possible.

So:

1. Needing to wait one week for confession is not a grave reason for receiving without confession. That would smack of personal anxiety and scrupulosity to suppose that was sound thinking re this canon.
2. Note the issue is “conscious of grave sin.” It does not say (objective) mortal sin.
   So if your conscience tells you with certitude that you have sinned gravely then you may not present for Communion without confession. You conscience is clearly not certain in your above post.

If you are confused re a particular sin, which you seem to be, then follow the advice of your confessor. If you are scrupulous, which you may be by the sound of it, he may provide you concessions.

Its all very simple, don’t overthink things, have a regular confessor who knows you, ask him these questions and follow his advice without gainsaying on CAF or by other priests.

 

[Thom18]

I typically don’t receive. The only time I try to is when I’ve just been to confession. I have no idea when I’m in a state of mortal sin, only knowing for sure that I’m not for the half hour between confession and mass.

Better safe than sorry.

 

[otjm]

The question that really hasn’t been answered is “What constitutes a mortal sin?”

Assuming, for the moment, that you do not have an issue with scrupulosity, I would suggest that you go on the internet and research “Examination of Conscience”, which should get you moving forward on the matter; and obviously, you can consult a priest in or out of the confession if a particular matter is one you are not sure of, in terms of how serious (mortal/venial) it is.

And if you have issues with scrupulosity, then you need to consult only one person - you need to pick a confessor, stay with him, and follow what he tells you exactly, as scrupulosity is a heavy burden, and driven by unfounded doubt.