Wife taking communion unworthily

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bab0240

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I’m looking for some advice. My wife missed mass two Sundays ago because she overslept while on vacation. She admits that this was a mortal sin, but says that because she prayed to God and asked his permission to take Communion that she didn’t have to go to Confession. As a EM, I am taught not to give to those who come unworthily and feel I am participating in her mortal sin when receiving Communion with her. She has many “Earthly” excuses of why not to go to Confession. I am not sure if I should just shut up to keep the peace in the family or find different ways to encourage her to confess before the next mass. My job is to get her to Heaven and I feel like I am failing in this aspect. Does anyone have advice? Thank you and God Bless!
 
I’m surprised to hear you say that you’ve been taught not to give communion to those who approach unworthily. The usual advice is that it’s not the EMHCs job to make that determination.

If you’ve encouraged your wife to go to confession – ONCE – you’ve done your job. Pray for her. You might even invite her to go with you the next time you go to confession yourself. Beyond that, it’s her decision. Give the Holy Spirit room to work and don’t get in the way.
 
Aquinas11 said:
As a EM, I am taught not to give to those who come unworthily
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As an EM, your job is to administer the Blessed Sacrament rather than judge those who come to the table, isn’t it? How can you possibly know who is worthy and unworthy?

Disclaimer – I am expressing my opinion and not looking for validaiton or argument, so I limit my (name removed by moderator)ut to a single post per thread. Send me a PM, and I will be happy to continue the discussion without monopolizing this fine venue.
 
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bab0240 said:
My wife missed mass two Sundays ago because she overslept while on vacation. She admits that this was a mortal sin, but says that because she prayed to God and asked his permission to take Communion that she didn’t have to go to Confession.
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While I am in favor of people going to confession frequently, I note that the last time I overslept and missed Sunday Mass a couple months back, and went to confession and confessed it, I was told by the priest that it was not a mortal sin because the oversleeping was unintentional on my part. Actually now that I think about it he told me it was not a sin at all in my case due to the lack of intent. I had to mention more sins in order to be absolved since I made a special effort to go confess on the Monday so I wouldn’t be receiving any unworthy communions during the week.

I cannot pronounce on your wife’s situation but just pointing out that this situation is apparently not always a mortal sin. Her priest would have to make the determination for her in confession.

And if you’re not the one giving her communion, and you’ve already encouraged her to go to confession, then this is not your issue at all.
 
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bab0240 said:
As a EM, I am taught not to give to those who come unworthily
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Like @SuscipeMeDomine, @FOG, and others here, I find this surprising. As a matter of curiosity, how often, in practice, do you refuse Communion to somebody? What kind of reaction do you get, both from the person concerned and from other communicants who have witnessed the incident?
 
I too would like to know how an EMHC would have any idea if someone was approaching unworthily, unless the person was either his close friend/ family member or had just committed a grave sin in front of his eyes during the Mass.
 
Talk to your priest. Asking questions like this on the forums always results in dozens of conflicting answers.
 
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