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Question Title Posted By Question Date
Re: Original Sins Leon Friday, November 2, 2012

Question:

Dear Ignatius,

Thanks for the reply.

A clarification. If I am at the age of reason will I not have to repent of all personal sins committed up to the time of baptism?

Also since original sin is a state of sin, would one need to repent of original sin?

God Bless,
Leon



Question Answered by

Dear Leon:

One does not repent of Original Sin as it is not personal sin. Baptism wipes out Original Sin.

Baptism is the gateway to all other Sacraments. An unbaptized person cannot receive any Sacrament except Baptism. The effect of baptism is total forgiveness of sin—both Original Sin and any Personal Sins. Thus, Baptism brings the person into a State of Grace and begins his journey in the Kingdom of God with a clean slate.

As for pre-baptismal repentance, during the RCIA the catechumens make a renunciation of sin and a profession of faith just before they are baptized. Before that time the catechumens are taught and encouraged to reflect upon their lives in preparation to make this renunciation of sin and a profession of faith. So the issues of contrition and repentance are covered in the course of RCIA leading up to the Baptism itself.

If a person feels a need, however, to aurally unload his burdens of past sins before he is baptized, that can be done in a confession-like manner to his priest, but the actual Sacrament of Confession cannot be received until after Baptism.

God Bless,
Bro. Ignatius Mary 


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