Why do you need confession prior to Mass

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During Mass, doesn’t the act of contrition prayer and the priest subsequently absolving us cleanse our souls in time so we’re ready to receive the Eucharist?

If so, why is there a requirement to receive confession prior to receiving Eucharist?
 
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Episcopalian said:
During Mass, doesn’t the act of contrition prayer and the priest subsequently absolving us cleanse our souls in time so we’re ready to receive the Eucharist?

If so, why is there a requirement to receive confession prior to Mass?
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There is not a requirement to receive confession prior to Mass.
  1. Mass does absolve us of venial sin.
  2. There is no requirement to receive Holy Communion at every Mass we attend, so even if one has committed mortal sin, they are not “required” to go to confession before Mass; they just can’t receive Communion until they do.
 
You need confession for mortal sins. The mass removes venial sins. You can however, and should (imho) attended confession to confess venial sins too and for devotion and spiritual growth.
 
Through confession, we are absolved of our sins.
Through penance, we are forgiven.
Through communion, we are able to receive Grace from God.
Hallelujah. It is truly wonderful!
 
Episcopalian said:
During Mass, doesn’t the act of contrition prayer and the priest subsequently absolving us cleanse our souls in time so we’re ready to receive the Eucharist?

If so, why is there a requirement to receive confession prior to Mass?
Click to expand...
If you are in a state of mortal sin then you’re required to abstain from the Eucharist until you confess. Perfect Contrition (Which is not that easy to have- its more than just reciting the act of Contrition) restores saving grace but the requirement to confess before receiving the Eucharist still applies
 
There is not a “requirement to receive confession prior to Mass”.

If you are in a state of mortal sin, also known as “being out of the state of grace”, then you can still attend Mass any time you like. However, you are not permitted to receive Holy Communion at the Mass.

If you would like to receive Communion at the Mass, then you either need to determine that you’re not, to your knowledge, in a state of mortal sin, or else if you think you may be in a state of mortal sin then you need to confess before Mass. Or in some cases where confessions are offered during Mass, then just confess before you receive Communion.
 
Thank you. I fixed my OP so it more accurately reflects what I should have asked.

It now states: “…requirement to receive confession prior to receiving Eucharist?”
 
Yes, that’s fine. And the answer is that you only need confession prior to receiving Eucharist if you think you may have committed a mortal sin.
 
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