Dear Konrad:

God can give his grace (which means gift) to whomever He chooses. But, there are different kinds of grace. Sanctifying Grace is what we receive, for example, in Baptism, Confirmation, and Confession. This grace "saves" us, that is, it bring us into, or restores to, a State of Grace (Sanctifying Grace). Mortal Sin deprives us of Sanctifying Grace which deprives us of heaven because Sanctifying Grace is required to get to heaven.

Those in mortal sin may certainly receive this grace through an act of perfect contrition and the Sacrament of Confession or it would not be possible for them to be forgiven and restored into God's friendship.

Other types of grace can be given to those in mortal sin, but there are some theologians who disagree.

In terms of mortal sin, if a person commits a mortal sin this afternoon, afterwards when he realizes what he has done, the person may say an Act of Perfect Contrition. At that moment, even though he has not yet been to the Sacrament of Confession, he is forgiven of that mortal sin and restored to a State of Grace. Thus, if this person dies before getting to Confession, he still goes to heaven because he was indeed in a State of Grace.

But, this immediate Act of Perfect Contrition carries with it the firm intention to formally confess the sin in the Sacrament of Confession at the earliest opportunity.

While this immediate Act of Perfect Contrition restores the person to a State of Grace he may not receive the Eucharist until Sacramental Confession is completed.

God Bless,
Bro. Ignatius Mary