The Power To Forgive: Repentance And Venial Sins

In Catholicism, venial sins are lesser sins that do not deprive the sinner of sanctifying grace, friendship with God, charity, and consequently, eternal happiness. While mortal sins are considered to be more severe and turn an individual away from God, venial sins clog one's affections, making them slow in tending towards God. Venial sins can be forgiven through various acts of grace and penance, including receiving the Eucharist, performing the Seven Sacraments, reciting the Confiteor, and making a sincere act of contrition. However, it is important to note that while venial sins can be forgiven without a specific purpose to avoid them in the future, they still require a certain level of displeasure and a movement towards God and away from sin.

The sacrament of confession

The Sacrament of Penance, or the Sacrament of Reconciliation and Confession, is one of the seven sacraments of the Catholic Church. It is a gift from God, offering forgiveness for sins committed after baptism. The sacrament brings reconciliation with God, the Church, and others.

During the sacrament, the penitent confesses their sins to a priest, who stands in the name of Christ and the Church. The priest will help the penitent make a good confession and assign them a penance, which may be a prayer, an offering, works of mercy, service, or sacrifice. The penitent then prays an Act of Contrition, expressing true sorrow for their sins. The priest, acting in the person of Christ, will absolve the penitent of their sins by saying the prayer of Absolution.

The Act of Contrition is a vital part of the sacrament, as it is an expression of contrition, or repentance, for one's sins. According to the Catechism, "One commits venial sin when, in a less serious matter, he does not observe the standard prescribed by the moral law, or when he disobeys the moral law in a grave matter, but without full knowledge or without complete consent." Venial sins are lesser sins that do not deprive the sinner of sanctifying grace, friendship with God, charity, and eternal happiness.

Thomas Aquinas writes that "No infusion of fresh grace is required for the forgiveness of a venial sin, but it is enough to have an act proceeding from grace, in detestation of that venial sin, either explicit or at least implicit, as when one is moved fervently to God." He lists several acts that remit venial sins, including receiving the Eucharist, any act done in detestation of sin, and any act including a movement towards the reverence of God.

Therefore, while confession to a priest is a vital part of the Sacrament of Penance, it seems that venial sins can be forgiven without a formal confession, through acts of grace and repentance.

Worthy reception of Communion

The Catholic Church considers Holy Communion a sacred meal that requires more than just attendance at Mass. The Eucharist is a sacrament of initiation, and receiving it is akin to becoming one with Christ and His Church. Thus, it is reserved for those who preserve their union with the Church through adherence to all that the Catholic Church believes, teaches, and proclaims to be revealed by God.

Requirements for Worthy Reception

The Church requires that one be in a state of grace when receiving Communion. This means being free from mortal sin, having a right intention, and obeying the Church's laws on fasting before Communion. One must also prepare oneself by thinking of Our Divine Redeemer and making fervent acts of faith, hope, love, and contrition.

Effects of Worthy Communion

A worthy reception of Communion results in a closer union with Our Lord, an increase in sanctifying grace, preservation from mortal sin, and remission of venial sin. It also lessens our inclination to sin and helps us practice good works.

Sin and Communion

It is important to note that venial sins can be forgiven through acts preceding from grace done in detestation of sin that cause us to turn back to God. However, one must abstain from Communion if they are conscious of grave sin and have not received sacramental confession. This is out of respect for Christ and for our own good, as unworthy reception of Communion has the opposite of the desired effect, bringing condemnation rather than blessing.

Sincere act of contrition

An Act of Contrition is a prayer in which an individual asks God to forgive their sins. It is a part of the Sacrament of Penance and is usually prayed after the priest assigns penance but before absolution. It is also said before one goes to bed at night.

The Catholic Church does not restrict the term "Act of Contrition" to any one formula. However, all acts of contrition generally include an expression of sorrow, an acknowledgment of wrongdoing, and a promise to amend one's life and avoid sin.

> O my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended Thee, and I detest all my sins because of thy just punishments, but most of all because they offend Thee, my God, who art all good and deserving of all my love. I firmly resolve with the help of Thy grace to sin no more and to avoid the near occasion of sin. Amen.

There are two types of contrition: perfect and imperfect. Perfect contrition arises from a love of God and a sorrow for one's sins. Imperfect contrition, on the other hand, is born out of fear of punishment or the dreadful nature of the sin itself. Both types are reflected in the Act of Contrition.

Venial sins, or lesser sins, can be forgiven through acts proceeding from grace done in detestation of sin that cause us to turn back to God. Thomas Aquinas writes that "no infusion of fresh grace is required for the forgiveness of a venial sin, but it is enough to have an act proceeding from grace, in detestation of that venial sin, either explicit or at least implicit, as when one is moved fervently to God."

According to Aquinas, there are several acts that remit venial sins, including receiving the Eucharist, the Seven Sacraments, recital of the Confiteor, an act of contrition, beating of the breast, and saying the Lord's Prayer.

Recital of the Confiteor

The recital of the Confiteor is a general confession of sins and is used in the Roman Rite at the beginning of Mass and on other occasions as preparation for receiving grace. The Confiteor, meaning 'I confess' in Latin, is said in the Catholic Church, the Lutheran Church, and by some Anglo-Catholic Anglicans before Mass.

The Confiteor is said as a double form of mutual confession, first by the celebrant to the people, and then by the people to the celebrant. It can also be said as a single form, for example, during Mass if anyone besides the celebrant receives Holy Communion.

The form of the words is well known and begins with "Confiteor Deo omnipotenti, beatae Mariae semper Virgini, beato Michaeli Archangelo, beato Ioanni Baptistae, sanctis Apostolis Petro et Paulo, omnibus Sanctis, et vobis, fratres". When said as a single form, the priest's confession is left out.

The recital of the Confiteor is one of ten things that remit venial sins, according to Aquinas. The other acts that remit venial sins include receiving the Eucharist, the Seven Sacraments, acts done in detestation of sin, and acts that include a movement towards the reverence of God.

A bishop's blessing

According to Thomas Aquinas, a renowned Catholic theologian, a bishop's blessing is one of ten things that remit venial sins. The other ways to obtain forgiveness for venial sins include:

• Receiving the Eucharist
• The Seven Sacraments
• Recital of the Confiteor
• An act of contrition
• Beating of the Breast
• Saying the Lord's Prayer
• Sprinkling oneself with Holy Water
• Any sacramental anointing
• Prayer in a dedicated Church

Aquinas explains that these acts confer the infusion of grace, which forgives venial sins. Additionally, they imply a movement of detestation for sin and a reverence for God and Divine things, which contribute to the remission of venial sins.

It is important to note that while these acts can obtain forgiveness for venial sins, true penance requires more than just sorrow for past sins. As Augustine states, "there is a penance which is done for venial sins in the Church every day." This suggests that a bishop's blessing is not sufficient for the forgiveness of venial sins without other acts of penance and a sincere desire to turn away from sin.

Furthermore, the sacrament of confession, the worthy reception of Communion, and a sincere act of contrition are also mentioned as ways to obtain forgiveness for venial sins.

Therefore, while a bishop's blessing is one way to obtain forgiveness for venial sins, it should be accompanied by other acts of penance and a sincere desire to repent and turn back to God.

Frequently asked questions