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Question Title	Posted By	Question Date
Disposition for Communion	Ryan	Monday, October 31, 2011
Question: Assuming one commits a grave sin but is not fully aware of it at the time (something that can, in certain circumstances, be ill to notice on the spot like gossip), and goes to mass later on, then minutes before Mass remembers that he/she indeed committed grave sin between last confession and now, does this merit him/her improperly disposed to receive? In short, sometimes I am confused whether it is simply being conscious of any grave sin, or having mortal sin on you that bars you from Communion. I believe, if I remember correctly, it is simply being conscious of grave sin. But, I am ready to be wrong if I am.
Question Answered by Dear Ryan: Although a sin that is genuinely forgotten is still forgiven when the Priest grants absolution, nevertheless if one remembers a grave sin minutes before Communion he should pray an Act of Contrition, but remain in his pew. We should alway lean in the direction of respect, devotion, and holiness. Since we are only required to receive the Eucharist once-per-year, there is no problem not receiving. Thus, one does not need to feel bad for not receiving. Be sure to confess to prepare for next week's Mass. We should confess every grave sin whether or not is rises to the level of Mortal. Grave sin is mostly objective, while Mortal sin depends on the three-fold formula for culpability: 1) the sin must be grave 2) one must know that is grave (feigned ignorance or lazy ignorance does not count. One need to perform due diligence to know that grave sins are) 3) knowing the the sin he is about to commit is grave, he decides to do it anyway, with positive volition and a free will that is unimpaired in any way. Remember that all Mortal Sin is Grave, but not all Grave Sin is Mortal. This is a theological and ontological distinction. It can be hard to know where the lines are drawn sometimes. Thus, do not worry about the distinctions and nuances. If a grave sin has been committed, go to Confession. Confession is also good for venial sins, too. God Bless, Bro. Ignatius Mary Footer Notes: This forum is for general questions on the faith. See specific Topic Forums below: Spiritual Warfare, demons, the occult go to our Spiritul Warfare Q&S Forum. Liturgy Questions go to our Liturgy and Liturgical Law Q&A Forum Liturgy of the Hours (Divine Office) Questions go to our Divine Office Q&A Forum Defenfing the Faith Questions go to our Defending the Faith Q&A Forum Church History Questions go to our Church History Q&A Forum

Question Title

Posted By

Question Date

Disposition for Communion

Ryan

Monday, October 31, 2011

Question:

Assuming one commits a grave sin but is not fully aware of it at the time (something that can, in certain circumstances, be ill to notice on the spot like gossip), and goes to mass later on, then minutes before Mass remembers that he/she indeed committed grave sin between last confession and now, does this merit him/her improperly disposed to receive? In short, sometimes I am confused whether it is simply being conscious of any grave sin, or having mortal sin on you that bars you from Communion. I believe, if I remember correctly, it is simply being conscious of grave sin. But, I am ready to be wrong if I am.

Question Answered by

Dear Ryan:

Although a sin that is genuinely forgotten is still forgiven when the Priest grants absolution, nevertheless if one remembers a grave sin minutes before Communion he should pray an Act of Contrition, but remain in his pew. We should alway lean in the direction of respect, devotion, and holiness.

Since we are only required to receive the Eucharist once-per-year, there is no problem not receiving. Thus, one does not need to feel bad for not receiving. Be sure to confess to prepare for next week's Mass.

We should confess every grave sin whether or not is rises to the level of Mortal. Grave sin is mostly objective, while Mortal sin depends on the three-fold formula for culpability:

1) the sin must be grave

2) one must know that is grave (feigned ignorance or lazy ignorance does not count. One need to perform due diligence to know that grave sins are)

3) knowing the the sin he is about to commit is grave, he decides to do it anyway, with positive volition and a free will that is unimpaired in any way.

Remember that all Mortal Sin is Grave, but not all Grave Sin is Mortal. This is a theological and ontological distinction. It can be hard to know where the lines are drawn sometimes. Thus, do not worry about the distinctions and nuances. If a grave sin has been committed, go to Confession. Confession is also good for venial sins, too.

God Bless,
Bro. Ignatius Mary

Footer Notes: This forum is for general questions on the faith. See specific Topic Forums below:
Spiritual Warfare, demons, the occult go to our Spiritul Warfare Q&S Forum.
Liturgy Questions go to our Liturgy and Liturgical Law Q&A Forum
Liturgy of the Hours (Divine Office) Questions go to our Divine Office Q&A Forum
Defenfing the Faith Questions go to our Defending the Faith Q&A Forum
Church History Questions go to our Church History Q&A Forum