Missing Mass

[theculturewarrior]

Just to acknowledge the other side of the coin, I personally try to go to confession as little as possible. I know, that sounds bad, but hear me out. I am a frequent confesser. If I go to confession every week, it means I'm either sinning greviously and frequently...or, that I'm BEING SCRUPULOUS!

I know that the Eucharist gives us the grace to keep from mortal sin. If I go every week, believing this is the only recourse I have, then in a way, I'm kind of doubting the efficacy of the Eucharist.

Confession is kind of addictive. I try to go only once a month at most.

[homeschoolmom]

I agree.

[Ellenita]

[quote]Just to acknowledge the other side of the coin, I personally try to go to confession as little as possible. I know, that sounds bad, but hear me out. I am a frequent confesser. If I go to confession every week, it means I'm either sinning greviously and frequently...or, that I'm BEING SCRUPULOUS!

I know that the Eucharist gives us the grace to keep from mortal sin. If I go every week, believing this is the only recourse I have, then in a way, I'm kind of doubting the efficacy of the Eucharist.

Confession is kind of addictive. I try to go only once a month at most. [/quote]

You don't know how helpful that is to read!

I had got it into my head that I'm a terrible sinner and therefore it's impossible to receive the Blessed Sacrament without having gone to confession first and because it's painful not to receive, it's better to miss Mass if I haven't been to confession every day!

My priest, who is the most wonderful confessor, has gently reminded me that 'we are all sinners when we come to the table'.

[toledo_jesus]

I always always do an examination of conscience before I receive Communion. If I have mortal sins I will go to Confession. But if I have only venial sins, depending on how they affect me I will sometimes refrain. Remember, there is nothing wrong with confessing venial sins if that's all you have. However, you DO want to avoid scrupulosity.
I find that I manage to break a Commandment pretty consistently every week. It varies which one...

Edited August 3, 2004 by toledo_jesus

[theculturewarrior]

[quote]You don't know how helpful that is to read!

I had got it into my head that I'm a terrible sinner and therefore it's impossible to receive the Blessed Sacrament without having gone to confession first and because it's painful not to receive, it's better to miss Mass if I haven't been to confession every day!

My priest, who is the most wonderful confessor, has gently reminded me that 'we are all sinners when we come to the table'.
[/quote]

Remember, venial sins are forgiven with fervent communion. Some of the best advice I've ever gotten was from a retired bishop. He said, when in doubt, always receive communion. If you are conscious of grave sin, then by all means don't receive. But if you are CONSCIOUS that means you will KNOW. There were times when I've wondered if I were worthy to receive the Eucharist. The truth is, in this life, I'll probably never be worthy. Better to rely on His Mercy.

[Thy Geekdom Come]

[quote name='catholicguy' date='Jul 26 2004, 08:58 PM'] I think if Novus Ordo churches offered Confession before Mass more people would go, instead of having it on Saturday night or like my old Novus Ordo church had AFTER the Saturday morn Mass. That makes no sense. [/quote]
Haha...

Mine does.

In fact, it's so packed, they have two confession lines going through most of the Mass while the third priest celebrates!

[~Ghost~]

It sometimes upsets me that not all sin is sin.... which is something drilled into my head since childhood.

[MichaelFilo]

TCW.... Be careful of the advice you give.

Blessed Mother Teresa went to confession daily. I can almost give my 100% that she probably didn't have mortal sins on her soul. Constant communion doesn't take away venial sins. Only confession takes away sins.

However, I do agree, don't be too scrupulus, I still am. ::Sigh::

God bless,

Mikey

[Birgitta Noel]

Yeah, TCW, I'd have to disagree too. While it might be ok for you once a month I prefer to go each week when I can. Not because I'm in mortal sin, and not because I don't recognize that the eucharist cleanses me from venial sins (as well as three other parts of the mass do the same), but because I know that it helps to keep the lines of communication open between me and Christ. It also forces me to examine my life and how I'm living it for Christ and where I need to improve. And I'll be the last one not to desire and long for the gratuitous outpouring of mercy and grace that comes with absolution. When Fr. says the words of absolution my soul soars to heaven. Fr. said to me once, "If ony you could see your soul as God sees it at this moment!"

[SacTownConvert]

I was advised that if I know I'm not in a state of grace, say an act of contrition, receive the sacrament, then get to confession as soon as you can...

[Adam S]

[quote]Constant communion doesn't take away venial sins[/quote]

Yes it does..my priest told me that the act of confession at the beginning of Mass removes venial sins, thats why we do it, because you never confess venial sins unless you've done it a lot!

[Brother Adam]

Woah. Another Adam.

[Birgitta Noel]

Yes, the Confetior absolves you from venial sins when it's said at Mass. (the Confeitior is "I confess to almighty God, and to you my brothers and sisters, etc...)

But, it's not the case that we never confess venial sins. We can confess venial sins any time. We generally don't confess EVERY venial sin, if we did we'd never get out of the confessional (at least I know I wouldn't). In fact, confessing venial sins is a way to examine how we can love God more. If we are faithful in the little things (avoiding venial sins, and recognizing what they are and how they affect our relationship with Him), then we will be faithful in large things. It's easy to examine our conscience before confession for the big things, did we murder anyone? Probably not. But are there ways in which we could have loved Christ more or been Christ to others more? Always.

The gospel today about the rich man ties into this pretty well. It wasn't what the rich man did that was so bad, it's what he didn't do. He was indifferent (Catholicexchange.com had a good reflection on this today). If we are indifferent to our venial sins we will soon find ourselves committing them more and more and eventually will find ourselves committing moral sins without a second thought (but with full consent of our will).

Fr. Larry Richards' Confession tape is a good examination of conscience for venial sins. We may think we haven't broken most of the 10 Commandments, but when we look closely, most of us have broken all of them, repeatedly. Also, you of course don't want to just focus on the 10 Commandments for your examination of Conscience. There are a number of good ones on this site under the Word board. When we really look closely at our souls we may not like what we see, but the only way to grow in love of Christ is to prepare our hearts for him as best we can.

Wow, I'm not sure where that came from! Hope it was helpful.

[Crusader_4]

Birgitta Noel very helpful thank you! Now not to brag but MY PARISH (hahah jk) lol i am lucky it offers confession 1/2 hour b4 every mass even thos during the weekdays! I frequent there a lot but my priest has always encouraged me to come back when i sin as long as i am trying and are repentant. I thought that comment about parishoner statues was hilarious!

[Birgitta Noel]

Thanks Crusader!

I agree, offering Confessions before all masses is such a great thing. Especially since if you're not in a state of grace before mass! It's also good because then you can go beforehand. I know that if I need to get to confession and it's not til after mass then once mass ends (and I've felt guilty all the way through) it's really tempting to sneak out thinking you'll go later. That's Satan at work for you, he'll do anything to discourage us from returning to Christ.

I wish more parishes would offer confessions on Sunday ams before masses. I know that part of the reason some don't is because they have so many masses and are stretched for priests, but still, imagine the graces that would bring to so many who wouldn't otherwise ever go to confession!