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Original poster

New Catholic, do you (lifelong Catholics) go to Confession for missing Mass before taking holy communion again?

40 replies

Otterspotter · 13/05/2017 12:23

I have recently converted through the RCIA process.

We are going camping in Cornwall at half term and it is going to be extremely impractical to go to Mass for the two Sundays of half term.

I understand that missing Mass is classed as a mortal sin. Do I need to receive Reconciliation before I can receive communion again?

OP posts:
BawbagBiggins · 13/05/2017 12:32

Missing Mass is not a mortal sin.

Go and enjoy your holiday and take communion as usual when you return Smile

MaybesAye · 13/05/2017 15:31

Missing mass IS a mortal sin. Yes. Go to confession upon your return before you receive communion. OR make a heroic effort to get to mass. If it's genuinely not possible and you tried then you haven't deliberately gone out of your way to miss mass.

SwedishEdith · 13/05/2017 15:36

Oh, my gosh, yes. We were always dragged to Mass even when on holiday. It's Bad. Black mark on your soul Bad.

NannyR · 13/05/2017 16:38

Does anyone have the bible reference for where Jesus said missing weekly mass was a mortal sin?

ollieplimsoles · 13/05/2017 19:01

I understand that missing Mass is classed as a mortal sin. Do I need to receive Reconciliation before I can receive communion again?

Why on EARTH would you chose to pander to a belief system with this rule in place. Its ridiculous, 'a mortal sin'.

Why is this a 'mortal sin', I'm genuinely interested.

MaybesAye · 13/05/2017 21:01

Good grief. Someone comes on to MN to clarify something about their faith and it's practice and the anti Catholics come out to slate everything. No one dragged her to RCIA. The OP was asking for clarification. Her decision re her faith and religion is already made.

Btw NannyR you can google the answer to your question for yourself.

LauraMipsum · 13/05/2017 21:06

Because there is grave matter, full knowledge and full consent ollie - two out of three gets you only a venial sin.

In the unlikely event that you actually wanted to know, that is.

reallyanotherone · 13/05/2017 21:14

This was taught in my dad's days, c.1930.

When I took fhc in the 80's was no longer taught that you needed to go to confession (as reconciliation was called) if you missed mass.

So I wouldn't worry about it. My dad would though.

Luckystar1 · 13/05/2017 21:18

I'm a lifelong Catholic and it would never in a million years cross my mind to go to confession for missing mass.

Enjoy your holiday!

LedaP · 13/05/2017 21:20

I had an entirely catholic education and studied theology. One of my closest friends is a priest.

No one expects you to go to confession for missing mass.

Waterlemon · 13/05/2017 21:27

So this is taken from DS book that he is using for his First holy communion programme.

Missing Mass is not a sin!

New Catholic, do you (lifelong Catholics) go to Confession for missing Mass before taking holy communion again?
NannyR · 13/05/2017 21:28

maybe I did Google before I made my post. I found reference to a passage in Hebrews (10;26-31) which a priest had loosely interpreted to fit his argument and lots of references to the Catholic catechism and Canon law, written by man, but nothing referring to what Jesus himself actually taught in the gospels.

MaybesAye · 13/05/2017 22:10

Well then Nanny nothing I provide you with will answer your question. Ask your local parish priest. I googled too and found a tonne of info. Mass isn't just any old church service. It's the celebration of the Eucharist. Catholics believe that this is the body, blood, soul and divinity of our lord Jesus Christ. The bible is part of the revelation. There's sacred tradition too.

Waterlemon · 13/05/2017 22:27

The first part of Sunday Mass is the Penetintial act, so by taking part, you would have confessed your sins anyway.

www.ourcatholicfaith.org/mass/penitentialrite.html

NannyR · 13/05/2017 22:29

I was asking specifically about where in the Bible does Jesus say that missing weekly mass is a mortal sin?

I was baptised and brought up in a Catholic family, educated in Catholic schools, I went to mass every week as a child. I know about the sanctity of mass and what Catholics believe about the eucharist, I just wanted to know if there was any Biblical basis to not fulfilling your Sunday obligation being a sin, as I don't remember being taught it. I will ask my vicar in the morning though.

Radishal · 13/05/2017 22:33

I'm a Catholic. Relax.
My Mum used to follow that sort of rule. I know of no Catholic (and I know plenty who aren't as rubbish at it as I am) who does it now.
If it makes you feel better then best yourself up about it. It's not a mortal sin.

Napoliforte · 13/05/2017 22:35

Catholicism doesn't have a huge lot to do with the bible, which you'd know, NannyR if you were Catholic!Wink

I was raised as a highly trad Catholic and we were taught that missing Mass is a mortal sin, and you can't take communion if you've got a mortal sin on your soul, because if you do, it'll burn through your tongue.

Fact.

Radishal · 13/05/2017 22:35

I meant "beat yourself up" not "best yourself up". Freudian slip of the post.

imip · 13/05/2017 22:36

Hmmm, I was brought up catholic but am now an atheist. My uncle is a priest, has been for 50 odd years. He often stays with us when in the UK. I've never seen him go out of his way to go to Mass when with us. He's not a parish priest as he is retired, but he does supply, when priests are on holidays, so he still often says mass.

We live in London, lots of chances to attend mass. Interesting thread....

Radishal · 13/05/2017 22:38

If your uncle is over 80 , I think he isn't under an obligation . Something like that.

Friendofsadgirl · 13/05/2017 22:39

This is taken from Catholiceducation.org :

Of course, serious circumstances arise which excuse a person from attending Mass, such as if a person is sick, has to deal with an emergency, or cannot find a Mass to attend without real burden .

If there is nowhere you can feasibly go to attend mass while you're away, I'd say you were excused? There's a list of Catholic churches in Cornwall here.

Radishal · 13/05/2017 22:45

My atheist Dad would make a point of finding Catholic Churches for my mum on holiday. He found one when in Sri Lanka. It was like a challenge for him.
I won't tease you, op, because you are a newbie and it's obviously very important to you.

imip · 13/05/2017 22:54

Not 80 yet 😃 I know he is very religious but I also think he is progressive (we don't really talk religion). However, he has stayed with dh and I before we were married, and he is very close to his brother (my other uncle), who is gay. So I suppose he has been aware or mortal sin (I guess homosexuality and sex before marriage is a mortal sin?). I'm in my mid 40s googling catholic catechism on a Saturday night 😃

Luckystar1 · 14/05/2017 07:13

Didn't Jesus say in the bible about wherever 2 or 3 gather in my name I am there? Say some prayers with your husband.

Unless you attend mass and take communion every day, then you are just missing another daily mass surely?

DitheringSJ · 15/05/2017 13:51

I was previously informed: If you cannot make Mass for reasons outside your control you are exempt from the Sunday obligation. Travel is the main example given.

So I'd say if it's really not possible to get to a Mass whilst you are camping (no reasonable form of transport to nearest Catholic church) then this is somewhat outside of your control. I know that our PP would most likely make little of it but if weighs on your mind why not query with your parish priest, either in person or by email?

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