Nurturing Faith

A reader asks the following question: “Is it necessary to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation before receiving the Eucharist if one has missed Sunday Mass?”

Dear Reader, it depends on why you missed Sunday Mass. If the reason that you were not able to attend Mass on one particular Sunday was that you were caring for your sick child, or you were traveling to come to the aid of a friend or you were sick yourself, have no fear! When doing a good deed or an illness prevents you from attending Sunday Mass, Jesus loves you and welcomes you back the following Sunday with open arms.

However, if you consider yourself to be in a state of mortal sin, paragraph 1457 of the Catechism of the Catholic Church seem to answer your question.

“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.”

Remember though, how serious mortal sin is. The Catechism of the Catholic Church. says in paragraph 1874 that "to choose deliberately - that is, both knowing it and willing it - something gravely contrary to the divine law and to the ultimate end of man is to commit a mortal sin. This destroys in us the charity without which eternal beatitude is impossible. Unrepented, it brings eternal death. "

You may be trying to answer the question, “If I miss Mass ONCE, have I committed a mortal sin?” In paragraph 2192, the Catechism reminds us. “Sunday is to be observed as the foremost holy day of obligation in the universal church. On Sundays and other holy days of obligation the faithful are bound to participate in the Mass”

Only you in the depths of your conscience, perhaps with the help of a Spiritual Director, can determine if you have committed a mortal sin. In the Church Today a document of the Second Vatican Council, the Church teaches that “Conscience is the most secret core and sanctuary of a man (and woman). There he (and she) is alone with God whose voice echoes in his or her depths.”

But always remember, Dear Reader, that no matter what you do, Jesus loves you and welcomes you always with open arms.

Marie Murphy, Ph.D., serves as William. H. Sadlier's National Catechetical Consultant, conducting workshops nationwide on catechetical and theological topics as part of Sadlier's Consultant Services. Marie received her doctorate in theology from Fordham University and has served as a parish catechist and Director of Religious Education.