Vows

[Philomena]

I was reading an article on Catholics/personal vows and I have a couple questions that I am curious about.

If a person makes a vow, not out of love for God, but out of a selfish reason (for instance, they can’t stop doing something, so they vow to God to stop doing it under the pretense of making a sacrifice, since they know they will have to keep it) is the vow nullified?

If a person makes a vow, without understanding that breaking the vow could constitute a mortal sin and could send them to hell if unconfessed, is the vow nullified?

Thanks.

Maria

[Pio Nono]

JMJ
2/20 - Seventh Monday

Philomena,

According to the Code of Canon Law...

[quote]Can.  1191 §1. A vow, that is, a deliberate and free promise made to God about a possible and better good, must be fulfilled by reason of the virtue of religion.
§2. Unless they are prohibited by law, all who possess suitable use of reason are capable of making a vow.
§3. A vow made out of grave and unjust fear or malice is null by the law itself.[/quote]

What you describe in your first question seems to be addressed by §3; if someone makes a vow out of unjust fear (of themselves inclusive, it would seem), the vow is nullified. Also, §1 would indicate that, if a person is not aware of the full implications of a vow, that vow is nullified. Jephthah made a vow to kill whatever came out of his door (cf. Judges 11:30-1) and had to fulfill it, even when it was his own daughter. The Church gives a number of "outs" because vows are serious things, being promises to God. Hope this helps.

Yours,
Pio Nono