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Lisbet
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| Posted: April 27 2007 at 11:02am | IP Logged
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I *think* I know the answer to this.
But I am having a hard time finding it explained where it has 'clicked' for me.
Here goes:
When serious sin is committed, (mortal), and one has personally asked for forgivness, begged for Mercy, and resolved to pick up and go forth, and not to commit such sin again, if that person were to die, would heaven be lost to them?
This is assuming this person intends to go to confession as soon as possible.
ALSO, if this person is not able, for whatever good solid reason, not able to get to confession, yet recieves our Lord in the Eucharist, is this mortal sin? Wouldn't the Grace from the communion help?
I know these are big questions, sorry. I just have never 'got' exactly how this all works! Thanks!
p.s. Remember I am a covert! 
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Lisa, wife to Tony,
Mama to:
Nick, 17
Abby, 15
Gabe, 13
Isaac, 11
Mary, 10
Sam, 9
Henry, 7
Molly, 6
Mark, 5
Greta, 3
Cecilia born 10.29.10
Josephine born 6.11.12
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Lisbet
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| Posted: April 27 2007 at 11:20am | IP Logged
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No takers huh? Can anyone point me in a good direction for a clear answer?
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Lisa, wife to Tony,
Mama to:
Nick, 17
Abby, 15
Gabe, 13
Isaac, 11
Mary, 10
Sam, 9
Henry, 7
Molly, 6
Mark, 5
Greta, 3
Cecilia born 10.29.10
Josephine born 6.11.12
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JennGM
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| Posted: April 27 2007 at 11:31am | IP Logged
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Lisa, I've been noticing with the coming of spring less people are online, and during the day there is a lot less activity (ESPECIALLY on Fridays).
I only have a minute, but I'll bite.
Quote:
When serious sin is committed, (mortal), and one has personally asked for forgivness, begged for Mercy, and resolved to pick up and go forth, and not to commit such sin again, if that person were to die, would heaven be lost to them?
This is assuming this person intends to go to confession as soon as possible. |
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With the intention of going to confession ASAP but they die in the meantime, heaven is not lost to that person.
Quote:
| ALSO, if this person is not able, for whatever good solid reason, not able to get to confession, yet recieves our Lord in the Eucharist, is this mortal sin? Wouldn't the Grace from the communion help? |
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No, the soul is in the state of mortal sin. It is closed to grace. This would add one more mortal sin by receiving communion in the state of sin. One would have to abstain from receiving Communion until confession.
As as aside, one does not have to wait until formal confession times in a parish. Go to church early and talk the priest before Mass. Or call the rectory, make an appointment with the priest. View this as your soul in serious trouble, hemorraging badly and needs emergency care.
Hope that helps. I don't have time to point to resources, but someone else might.
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Jennifer G. Miller
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Family in Feast and Feria
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Lisbet
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| Posted: April 27 2007 at 11:34am | IP Logged
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Thanks Jenn! I know the board has been slow, but it got 18 views! 
Your point about being closed off to grace makes perfect sense.
One more question then, if it is an habitual sin, from before the person knew it was a sin, it is still mortal for that soul?
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Lisa, wife to Tony,
Mama to:
Nick, 17
Abby, 15
Gabe, 13
Isaac, 11
Mary, 10
Sam, 9
Henry, 7
Molly, 6
Mark, 5
Greta, 3
Cecilia born 10.29.10
Josephine born 6.11.12
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helene
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| Posted: April 27 2007 at 11:35am | IP Logged
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I have always understood these matters exactly as Jenn (above) wrote.
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Happy Mom to five girls (20,17,13,11and 4) and five boys (19, 15, 10, 8 and 6)
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helene
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| Posted: April 27 2007 at 11:36am | IP Logged
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I am wondering what you mean by "habitual sin"?
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Bridget
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| Posted: April 27 2007 at 11:46am | IP Logged
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The three conditions for mortal sin are:
Serious matter.
Sufficient reflection.
Full consent of the will.
This is from the Baltimore Catechism, it was the closest one to the computer. I don't know if that helps you sort it out.
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God Bless,
Bridget, happily married to Kevin, mom to 8 on earth and a small army in heaven
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hylabrook1
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Doesn't sin require an element of intent? So then, if you didn't know it was a sinful action you wouldn't have had the intent so it doesn't add up to being a sin? (Or am I just poorly catechized?) BUT if there is something that is a sin and the only reason you don't *know* that it is is because you have chosen not to explore that issue, then I would think you would still be responsible. (Does that make sense? There is undoubtedly a word for that kind of attitude.)
Peace,
Nancy
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teachingmom
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| Posted: April 27 2007 at 11:55am | IP Logged
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Lisbet wrote:
| One more question then, if it is an habitual sin, from before the person knew it was a sin, it is still mortal for that soul? |
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This is how I understand it: Only God could say for sure whether a sin is a mortal sin for a particular soul. But, based on the three requirements for mortal sin that Bridget helpfully posted, it is POSSIBLE for something that is objectively seriously sinful to not be mortally sinful for someone who is dealing with, say, an addiction or habitual sin. I'd recommend that a person who thinks he or she might be in this situation talk to a good, solid priest to better understand what the case may be for him or her.
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~Irene (Mom to 6 girls, ages 7-19)
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JennGM
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| Posted: April 27 2007 at 11:57am | IP Logged
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I remember learning in simple terms:
1) The matter must be evil
2) You must know that it wrong
3) You decide to do it anyway.
Before a person knows it a serious evil for solid reasons (not, like Nancy says, because you chose not to find out), they are not fully culpable or responsible for a grave sin.
But once they found out, if they continue to do this evil, it is now a mortal sin.
Does that make any sense?
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Maryan
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This is a question and sort of answer...But I think I've heard that (and like Jenn can't find the source):
If you didn't know something was serious matter, and weren't culpable for your ignorance, then if you got into the HABIT of something sinful THEN discovered it was serious matter...
I THINK the HABIT takes away some of your free will (the third thing necessary for mortal sin) IYKWIM.
Let's use an example that's not mortally sinful..
So say you didn't know that "peaches" was a bad word, and you got in the habit of saying it all the time. Then someone told you that it was a bad word and you shouldn't say it. Well... peaches might slip from your lips before you even got a chance to think about it.
However, not knowing what sin you're talking about (and I don't think we need to be specific), but I would think that for some mortal sins this HABIT theory might not apply. Anybody else have thoughts on this?
Also, determining MORTAL sin can be tricky -- so asking a GOOD priest is always a good rule of thumb too.
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Maryan
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JennGM
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Good example, Maryan.
But I don't think all "habitual sins" could fall into that category....it depends on the definition of habitual. Repeated contraception use, living together before marriage, that kind of sins can be "habitual" but not necessarily something that doesn't require thinking before doing.
I don't mean to muddy the waters...
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Jennifer G. Miller
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Maryan
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Totally agree Jenn -- I think because you would have "sufficient reflection" --
But I do agree with Irene that "addiction" type sins do reduce culpability and MAY not make something MORTAL...
(Again with the priest recommendation - I don't want to be repetitive -- but I don't want to be misunderstood that *I* have the answer. I totally think consulting a good priest is key! )
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Maryan
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Lisbet
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| Posted: April 27 2007 at 12:09pm | IP Logged
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Great discussion ladies, and I think I'm begining to 'get it'. Sometimes I just need real simple logical terms. This stemmed from a discussion I was having with a friend. (non-Catholic) Thanks!
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Lisa, wife to Tony,
Mama to:
Nick, 17
Abby, 15
Gabe, 13
Isaac, 11
Mary, 10
Sam, 9
Henry, 7
Molly, 6
Mark, 5
Greta, 3
Cecilia born 10.29.10
Josephine born 6.11.12
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4Real Forums : Domestic Church
Topic: Question about sin
