Bringing you the "Good News" of Jesus Christ and His Church While PROMOTING CATHOLIC Apologetic Support groups loyal to the Holy Father and Church's magisterium
Home About
AskACatholic.com
What's New? Resources The Church Family Life Mass and
Adoration
Ask A Catholic
Knowledge base
AskACatholic Disclaimer
Search the
AskACatholic Database
Donate and
Support our work
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
New Questions
Cool Catholic Videos
About Saints
Disciplines and Practices for distinct Church seasons
Purgatory and Indulgences
About the Holy Mass
back
About Mary
Searching and Confused
Contemplating becoming a Catholic or Coming home
Homosexual and Gender Issues
Life, Dating, and Family
No Salvation Outside the Church
Sacred Scripture
non-Catholic Cults
Justification and Salvation
The Pope and Papacy
The Sacraments
Relationships and Marriage situations
Specific people, organizations and events
Doctrine and Teachings
Specific Practices
Church Internals
Church History

Matthew Cohen wrote:

Hi, guys —

I realize that I must go to Confession if I commit a mortal (versus venial) sin. I believe that I am a good person.

  • I attend daily Mass
  • do my best to avoid temptation
  • pray often, and
  • seek to follow God's will.

However, I struggle often with uncontrollable thoughts about sex, ill feelings towards bosses, and coworkers who bullied and harassed me in the past, and dealing with psychics (who gave me hope when I had thoughts of harming myself).

I fall into these sinful thoughts and actions because I am weak, even though I pray fervently and often for God's help. It hurts me when I know I am sinning or am going to sin. I know what I am doing and I beg God for His forgiveness before (or while) I commit sinful acts — some of which are too hard to control.

I likely commit mortal sins a few times each week. Since I attend daily Mass, I would like to participate in Communion every day however, most priests are available only on Saturdays — and sometimes on Fridays as well.

  • Considering our society and my situation, must I refrain from participating in daily Communion until I go to Confession on Friday or Saturday?
  • If Confession is not possible or impractical, can I say a sincere prayer of contrition, receive the Eucharist, and later go to Confession to receive the sacrament of Penance?

Matthew

  { In these cases, must I refrain from daily Communion until I go to Confession on Friday or Saturday? }

Bob replied:

Matthew,

You ought to have a frank discussion with a priest who can be your regular Confessor to help you make good decisions about reception of Holy Communion. What you are doing could be a mortal sin in your mind but not really in truth. Sometimes people:

  • are scrupulous, or
  • have a disorder that creates a mental fixation (compulsion) and other factors that mitigate culpability.

A good spiritual director or Confessor could help you sort this out, but the goal should be to receive Communion as frequently as possible.

You are doing well to keep praying and attending Mass; that is key. If nothing else, it will teach you how dependent all of us are on His grace to overcome our fallen nature.

Peace,

Bob Kirby

Please report any and all typos or grammatical errors.
Suggestions for this web page and the web site can be sent to Mike Humphrey
© 2012 Panoramic Sites
The Early Church Fathers Church Fathers on the Primacy of Peter. The Early Church Fathers on the Catholic Church and the term Catholic. The Early Church Fathers on the importance of the Roman Catholic Church centered in Rome.