Communion And Confession: What's The Relationship?

Receiving Holy Communion without prior confession is considered a sin in the Catholic Church. The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches that a person conscious of having committed a mortal sin must confess it before receiving Holy Communion. However, there are varying opinions on this matter, with some believing that confession to God through prayer is sufficient for forgiveness of sins, and that partaking in Holy Communion without confession is not a sin.

The Catholic Church teaches that a person conscious of committing a mortal sin must confess before receiving Communion

The Catholic Church teaches that a person conscious of committing a mortal sin must receive sacramental confession before receiving Holy Communion. This is because the reception of the Eucharist does not forgive mortal sins. If a person receives the Eucharist while conscious of having committed a mortal sin, they commit another mortal sin. The Catechism of the Catholic Church states:

> A person who is conscious of grave sin is not to ... receive the body of the Lord without previous sacramental confession unless there is a grave reason and there is no opportunity to confess; in this case, the person is to remember the obligation to make an act of perfect contrition which includes the resolution of confessing as soon as possible.

Mortal sins are distinguished from venial sins by three things. Firstly, the thought, word, deed, or omission must concern something serious. Secondly, the person must have thought about what they are doing when they commit the sin. Thirdly, the person must consent completely to it.

Mortal sins remove sanctifying grace—the life of God within us—from our soul. Without sanctifying grace, we cannot enter Heaven, which is why this sin is called mortal.

However, it is not necessary to confess venial sins before receiving Communion. The Penitential Rite at the beginning of Mass offers a general absolution that frees worshippers from the guilt of venial sins.

Confession is deemed unnecessary by some Catholics, who instead believe in confessing their sins directly to God

Some Catholics believe that the ritual of confessing to a priest in a booth is unnecessary for their salvation. They argue that Jesus is the only mediator needed between God and humanity, and that there is no additional step or channel required for God to forgive their sins. They emphasize that Jesus gave the power of forgiving and retaining sins to his disciples, and that preachers of the Church are the ones who can bring sins to God for forgiveness. However, they believe that this does not require confessing to a priest in a confessional booth.

Additionally, some Catholics find it challenging to confess their sins to a priest, especially in a small town where there may be limited options for priests. They may feel uncomfortable sharing their most intimate sins with someone they know or who is part of their community. They may also struggle with the ritual of confession itself, finding it difficult to open up to a priest in such a formal and structured setting.

Furthermore, some Catholics question the effectiveness of the sacrament of confession in keeping them from falling into sin. They argue that confession is not a guarantee of avoiding sin and that it can even become a ritual that lacks sincerity and true contrition. Instead, they believe that confessing their sins directly to God through prayer and asking for forgiveness in Jesus' name is sufficient for their spiritual growth and salvation.

While these Catholics respect the authority of the Church and the sacraments, they hold differing views on the necessity of confession to a priest before receiving communion. They emphasize the importance of a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and the role of the Holy Spirit in their lives. They believe that their faith, contrition, and prayerful confession to God are enough to receive forgiveness and partake in the Eucharist worthily.

The reception of the Eucharist does not forgive mortal sins

The Catholic Church teaches that the reception of the Eucharist does not forgive mortal sins. According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, "a person who is conscious of mortal sin must go to confession before receiving communion". This is because, in committing a mortal sin, a person has closed themselves off to God's grace and love, and so, even though God continues to love the person, the person refuses to receive His love.

Mortal sin is distinguished from venial sin by three things: the act must concern something serious, the sinner must have been aware that it was a sin, and the sinner must have consented to the act completely. For a sin to be mortal, it must involve grave matter, full knowledge, and deliberate consent.

The Code of Canon Law states that:

> A person who is conscious of grave sin is not to [...] receive the body of the Lord without previous sacramental confession unless there is a grave reason and there is no opportunity to confess; in this case, the person is to remember the obligation to make an act of perfect contrition which includes the resolution of confessing as soon as possible. (CIC 916)

If a person receives the Eucharist while conscious of having committed a mortal sin without prior forgiveness, they commit another mortal sin. This is called sacrilege, which is a grave sin, especially against the Eucharist.

The Penitential Rite at the start of Mass offers absolution for venial sins

The Penitential Rite at the start of Mass does offer absolution for venial sins. However, it is important to note that this rite does not absolve mortal sins, and individuals conscious of committing mortal sins must receive the Sacrament of Confession before receiving Communion.

The Penitential Rite, also known as the Act of Penitence, is a general confession and petition for forgiveness that takes place at the beginning of Mass. It is led by the priest, who invites the congregation to take part in the Act of Penitence. After a brief pause for silence, the congregation confesses their sins, and the priest then offers a formula of absolution. This rite is not considered a sacramental absolution and does not replace the Sacrament of Confession for the forgiveness of grave or mortal sins.

While the Penitential Rite does not have the same efficacy as the Sacrament of Penance, it is still an important part of the Mass. It serves as a positive element of confession, petition for forgiveness, and interior purification before the celebration of the sacred mysteries. Additionally, the Penitential Rite is seen as a form of reparatory prayer, which creates a positive counterbalance to the common venial sins, defects, and imperfections that we face in our daily lives.

The distinction between venial and mortal sins is crucial in understanding the need for Confession before Communion. Venial sins are considered smaller or less serious transgressions, often committed without full consent or reflection. On the other hand, mortal sins are distinguished by their seriousness, the level of thought and consent involved, and their effect on removing sanctifying grace from the soul. While the Penitential Rite can absolve venial sins, mortal sins require sacramental confession and absolution for forgiveness.

Mortal sins are defined by seriousness, intent, and consent

The Catholic Church teaches that a person conscious of having committed a mortal sin must confess it before receiving Holy Communion. This is because the reception of the Eucharist does not forgive mortal sins. Mortal sins are defined by seriousness, intent, and consent.

Mortal sins are distinguished from venial sins by three things: seriousness, intent, and consent. First, the thought, word, deed, or omission must concern something serious. Second, we must have thought about what we are doing when we commit the sin—this is intent. Third, we must consent completely to it.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church defines these three conditions as: "grave matter," "full knowledge," and "deliberate consent." All three conditions must be met for a sin to be considered mortal. Grave matter refers to the seriousness of the sin, and the Catechism specifies that this is outlined by the Ten Commandments. Full knowledge means having a complete understanding of the sinful action and the gravity of the offense. Deliberate consent refers to having complete consent of the will.

If all three conditions are met, the sin is considered mortally sinful. Otherwise, the sin is considered venial. While venial sins do not deprive a person of sanctifying grace, they can weaken charity and impede spiritual progress, making it easier to commit mortal sins in the future.

In summary, mortal sins are serious offenses that require full knowledge and complete consent. The Catholic Church teaches that these sins must be confessed before receiving Holy Communion, as the Eucharist does not forgive mortal sins.

Frequently asked questions