Friday, August 31, 2012
305. When is a person obliged to confess mortal sins?
(Comp
305) Each of the faithful who has reached the age of discretion is bound
to confess his or her mortal sins at least once a year and always before
receiving Holy Communion.
“In brief”
(CCC 1488) To the eyes of faith no evil is graver than sin
and nothing has worse consequences for sinners themselves, for the Church, and
for the whole world.
To deepen and explain
(CCC 1457) According to the Church's command, "after
having attained the age of discretion, each of the faithful is bound by an
obligation faithfully to confess serious sins at least once a year"
(Cf. CIC, Can. 989; Council of Trent
(1551): DS 1683; DS 1708). Anyone who is aware of having committed a mortal sin
must not receive Holy Communion, even if he experiences deep contrition,
without having first received sacramental absolution, unless he has a grave
reason for receiving Communion and there is no possibility of going to
confession (Cf. Council of Trent (1551): DS 1647; 1661; CIC, can. 916; CCEO,
can. 711). Children must go to the sacrament of Penance before receiving Holy
Communion for the first time (Cf. CIC, can. 914).
On reflection
(CCC 2042) The first precept (“You shall attend Mass on
Sundays and holy days of obligation and rest from servile labor") requires
the faithful to sanctify the day commemorating the Resurrection of the Lord as
well as the principal liturgical feasts
honoring the mysteries of the Lord, the Blessed Virgin Mary, and the
saints; in the first place, by participating in the Eucharistic celebration, in
which the Christian community is gathered, and by resting from those works and
activities which could impede such a sanctification of these days (Cf. CIC,
cann. 1246-1248; CCEO, cann. 880 § 3, 881 §§ 1, 2, 4). The second precept (“You
shall confess your sins at least once a year.") ensures preparation for
the Eucharist by the reception of the sacrament of reconciliation, which
continues Baptism's work of conversion and forgiveness (Cf. CIC, can. 989;
CCEO, can. 719). The third precept (“You shall receive the sacrament of the
Eucharist at least during the Easter season.") guarantees as a minimum the
reception of the Lord's Body and Blood in connection with the Paschal feasts,
the origin and center of the Christian liturgy (Cf. CIC, can. 920; CCEO, cann.
708; 881 § 3). (CCC 1386) Before so great a sacrament, the faithful can only
echo humbly and with ardent faith the words of the Centurion: "Domine, non sum dignus ut intres sub tectum
meum, sed tantum dic verbo, et sanabitur anima mea" ("Lord, I am
not worthy that you should enter under my roof, but only say the word and my
soul will be healed.") (Roman Missal,
response to the invitation to communion; cf. Mt 8:8) and in the Divine Liturgy
of St. John Chrysostom the faithful pray in the same spirit: O Son of God,
bring me into communion today with your mystical supper. I shall not tell your
enemies the secret, nor kiss you with Judas' kiss. But like the good thief I
cry, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom."
Thursday, August 30, 2012
304. Which sins must be confessed?
304. Which sins must be confessed?
(Comp
304) All grave sins not yet confessed, which a careful examination of
conscience brings to mind, must be brought to the sacrament of Penance. The
confession of serious sins is the only ordinary way to obtain forgiveness.
“In brief”
(CCC 1493) One who desires to obtain reconciliation with God
and with the Church, must confess to a priest all the unconfessed grave sins he
remembers after having carefully examined his conscience. The confession of
venial faults, without being necessary in itself, is nevertheless strongly
recommended by the Church.
To deepen and explain
(CCC 1456) Confession to a priest is an essential part of
the sacrament of Penance: "All mortal sins of which penitents after a
diligent self-examination are conscious must be recounted by them in
confession, even if they are most secret and have been committed against the
last two precepts of the Decalogue; for these sins sometimes wound the soul more
grievously and are more dangerous than those which are committed openly"
(Council of Trent (1551): DS 1680 (ND 1626); cf. Ex 20:17; Mt 5:28). When
Christ's faithful strive to confess all the sins that they can remember, they
undoubtedly place all of them before the divine mercy for pardon. But those who
fail to do so and knowingly withhold some, place nothing before the divine
goodness for remission through the mediation of the priest, "for if the
sick person is too ashamed to show his wound to the doctor, the medicine cannot
heal what it does not know" (Council of Trent (1551): DS 1680 (ND 1626);
cf. St. Jerome, In Eccl. 10, 11: PL
23:1096).
On reflection
(CCC 1455) The confession (or disclosure) of sins, even from
a simply human point of view, frees us and facilitates our reconciliation with
others. Through such an admission man looks squarely at the sins he is guilty
of, takes responsibility for them, and thereby opens himself again to God and
to the communion of the Church in order to make a new future possible.
(Next question: When is a person obliged to confess mortal sins?)
Wednesday, August 29, 2012
303. What are the acts of the penitent? (part 3 continuation)
303. What are the acts of the penitent? (part 3 continuation)
(Comp
303 repetition) They are: a careful examination of conscience;
contrition (or repentance), which is perfect when it is motivated by love of
God and imperfect if it rests on other motives and which includes the
determination not to sin again; confession, which consists in the telling of
one’s sins to the priest; and satisfaction or the carrying out of certain acts
of penance which the confessor imposes upon the penitent to repair the damage
caused by sin.
“In brief”
(CCC 1491) The sacrament of Penance is a whole consisting in
three actions of the penitent and the priest's absolution. The penitent's acts
are repentance, confession or disclosure of sins to the priest, and the
intention to make reparation and do works of reparation. (CCC 1492) Repentance
(also called contrition) must be inspired by motives that arise from faith. If
repentance arises from love of charity for God, it is called
"perfect" contrition; if it is founded on other motives, it is called
"imperfect."
To deepen and explain
(CCC 1459) Many sins wrong our neighbor. One must do what is
possible in order to repair the harm (e.g., return stolen goods, restore the
reputation of someone slandered, pay compensation for injuries). Simple justice
requires as much. But sin also injures and weakens the sinner himself, as well
as his relationships with God and neighbor. Absolution takes away sin, but it
does not remedy all the disorders sin has caused (Cf. Council of Trent (1551):
DS 1712). Raised up from sin, the sinner must still recover his full spiritual
health by doing something more to make amends for the sin: he must "make
satisfaction for" or "expiate" his sins. This satisfaction is
also called "penance."
On reflection
(CCC 1460) The penance
the confessor imposes must take into account the penitent's personal situation
and must seek his spiritual good. It must correspond as far as possible with
the gravity and nature of the sins committed. It can consist of prayer, an
offering, works of mercy, service of neighbor, voluntary self-denial,
sacrifices, and above all the patient acceptance of the cross we must bear.
Such penances help configure us to Christ, who alone expiated our sins once for
all. They allow us to become co-heirs with the risen Christ, "provided we
suffer with him" (Rom 8:17; Rom 3:25; 1 Jn 2:1-2; cf. Council of Trent
(1551): DS 1690). The satisfaction that we make for our sins, however, is not
so much ours as though it were not done through Jesus Christ. We who can do
nothing ourselves, as if just by ourselves, can do all things with the
cooperation of "him who strengthens" us. Thus man has nothing of
which to boast, but all our boasting is in Christ . . . in whom we make
satisfaction by bringing forth "fruits that befit repentance." These
fruits have their efficacy from him, by him they are offered to the Father, and
through him they are accepted by the Father (Council of Trent (1551): DS 1691;
cf. Phil 4:13; 1 Cor 1:31; 2 Cor 10:17; Gal 6:14; Lk 3:8). [END]
(Next question: Which sins must be confessed?)
Tuesday, August 28, 2012
303. What are the acts of the penitent? (part 2 continuation)
303. What are the acts of the penitent? (part 2 continuation)
(Comp
303 repetition) They are: a careful examination of conscience;
contrition (or repentance), which is perfect when it is motivated by love of
God and imperfect if it rests on other motives and which includes the determination
not to sin again; confession, which consists in the telling of one’s sins to
the priest; and satisfaction or the carrying out of certain acts of penance
which the confessor imposes upon the penitent to repair the damage caused by
sin.
“In brief”
(CCC 1489) To return to communion with God after having lost
it through sin is a process born of the grace of God who is rich in mercy and
solicitous for the salvation of men. One must ask for this precious gift for
oneself and for others. (CCC 1490) The movement of return to God, called
conversion and repentance, entails sorrow for and abhorrence of sins committed,
and the firm purpose of sinning no more in the future. Conversion touches the
past and the future and is nourished by hope in God's mercy.
To deepen and explain
(CCC 1457) According
to the Church's command, "after having attained the age of discretion,
each of the faithful is bound by an obligation faithfully to confess serious
sins at least once a year" (Cf.
CIC, Can. 989; Council of Trent (1551): DS 1683; DS 1708). Anyone who is
aware of having committed a mortal sin must not receive Holy Communion, even if
he experiences deep contrition, without having first received sacramental
absolution, unless he has a grave reason for receiving Communion and there is
no possibility of going to confession (Cf. Council of Trent (1551): DS 1647;
1661; CIC, can. 916; CCEO, can. 711). Children must go to the sacrament of
Penance before receiving Holy Communion for the first time (Cf. CIC, can. 914).
On reflection
(CCC 1458) Without being strictly necessary, confession of
everyday faults (venial sins) is nevertheless strongly recommended by the
Church (Cf. Council of Trent: DS 1680; CIC, can. 988 § 2). Indeed the regular
confession of our venial sins helps us form our conscience, fight against evil
tendencies, let ourselves be healed by Christ and progress in the life of the
Spirit. By receiving more frequently through this sacrament the gift of the
Father's mercy, we are spurred to be merciful as he is merciful (Cf. Lk 6:36):
Whoever confesses his sins . . . is already working with God. God indicts your
sins; if you also indict them, you are joined with God. Man and sinner are, so
to speak, two realities: when you hear "man" - this is what God has
made; when you hear "sinner" - this is what man himself has made.
Destroy what you have made, so that God may save what he has made.... When you
begin to abhor what you have made, it is then that your good works are
beginning, since you are accusing yourself of your evil works. The beginning of
good works is the confession of evil works. You do the truth and come to the
light (St. Augustine, In Jo. Ev. 12,
13: PL 35, 1491). [IT CONTINUES]
(The question: What are the acts of the penitent? continues)
Monday, August 27, 2012
303. What are the acts of the penitent? (part 1)
303. What are the acts of the penitent? (part 1)
(Comp
303) They are: a careful examination of conscience; contrition (or
repentance), which is perfect when it is motivated by love of God and imperfect
if it rests on other motives and which includes the determination not to sin
again; confession, which consists in the telling of one’s sins to the priest;
and satisfaction or the carrying out of certain acts of penance which the
confessor imposes upon the penitent to repair the damage caused by sin.
“In brief”
(CCC 1487) The sinner wounds God's honor and love, his own
human dignity as a man called to be a son of God, and the spiritual well-being
of the Church, of which each Christian ought to be a living stone.
To deepen and explain
(CCC 1451) Among the penitent's acts contrition occupies
first place. Contrition is "sorrow of the soul and detestation for the sin
committed, together with the resolution not to sin again" (Council of
Trent (1551): DS 1676). (CCC 1452) When it arises from a love by which God is
loved above all else, contrition is called "perfect" (contrition of
charity). Such contrition remits venial sins; it also obtains forgiveness of
mortal sins if it includes the firm resolution to have recourse to sacramental
confession as soon as possible (Cf. Council of Trent (1551): DS 1677). (CCC 1453)
The contrition called "imperfect" (or "attrition") is also
a gift of God, a prompting of the Holy Spirit. It is born of the consideration
of sin's ugliness or the fear of eternal damnation and the other penalties
threatening the sinner (contrition of fear). Such a stirring of conscience can
initiate an interior process which, under the prompting of grace, will be
brought to completion by sacramental absolution. By itself however, imperfect
contrition cannot obtain the forgiveness of grave sins, but it disposes one to
obtain forgiveness in the sacrament of Penance (Cf. Council of Trent (1551): DS
1678; 1705).
On reflection
(CCC 1450) "Penance requires… the sinner to endure all
things willingly, be contrite of heart, confess with the lips, and practice
complete humility and fruitful satisfaction" (Roman Catechism II, V, 21;
cf. Council of Trent (1551): DS 1673). (CCC 1454) The reception of this
sacrament ought to be prepared for by an examination
of conscience made in the light of the Word of God. The passages best
suited to this can be found in the moral catechesis of the Gospels and the
apostolic Letters, such as the Sermon on the Mount and the apostolic teachings
(Cf. Mt 5-7; Rom 12-15; 1 Cor 12-13; Gal 5; Eph 4-6; etc.). [IT CONTINUES]
(The question: What are the acts of the penitent? continues)
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