Hi I have a question about mortal sin. I recently cheated on a math test in my 11th grade class, by using a type of calculater that might not have been allowed had I asked about it, and this gave me an unfair advantage so I got some more problems right because of it. I felt this was pre-meditated and that I think I knew it was a significantly sinful act,but could this be a mortal sin?or Would it be sufficient to continue recieving communion and confess this at my next monthly Confession? It is sometimes difficult for me to determine if sin is mortal or not like this because of feelings of guilt that I have for some sins, but often only after I reflect on the sinful act, and I am simply learning how to form a better conscience, and become more repentant, and would appretiate any advise anyone has on this. Thank you!

-- Matt (slywakka250@msn.com), January 23, 2004

Answers

Matt, the three things needed for a sin to be mortal are that 1) it be a serious matter 2)you realize that it is a serious matter and possibly a mortal sin, and 3)and you have full consent. I think you have to go over the circumstances to determine if it was truly a serious matter. Was it a "chapter test" or a semester final? At the time, did you fully realize that what you were doing was wrong? (obviously you had full consent, unless someone was forcing you to use the calculator). Maybe you should go to confession as soon as possible and explain this to a priest and have him give you advice.

-- Christina (introibo2000@nospam.com), January 23, 2004.

Best advice I can give: when in doubt: go to confess the act. God will understand and you will feel better about it.

By the way learning how to form a better conscience and to learn discretion will take a long time and is a sign of maturing.

In Christ,

Bill

-- Bill Nelson (bnelson45@hotmail.com), January 23, 2004.

Bill, It might be good advice, perhaps. But when in doubt, there is no mortal sin. If the matter is troubling you, and a sin seems serious, make a fervent act of contrition. That would suffice for a soul to be saved if dead without absolution.

Naturally, a confession would serve the same purpose. But doubt about the gravity of an action (sin) renders the soul innocent of mortal sin.

-- eugene c. chavez (loschavez@pacbell.net), January 23, 2004.

matt,

to you i would suggest one thing... study. go and take the test over. well, not necessarily. tell the teacher about your calculator, and that you didnt think at the time that it might not be allowed. you may be surprised that your teacher may not care. if your teacher does care, however, offer to take the test over again with a different calculator. this presents you several advantages: you find out IF you cheated in the first place, you confess it and appologize, and you make up for it if you did by retaking the test. if it still troubles you, go to confession about it. in my experiences however, most high school math teachers let you use whatever calculator you like...

-- paul h (dontSendMeMail@notAnAddress.com), January 23, 2004.

Eugene is correct here.

-bill

-- Bill Nelson (bnelson45@Hotmail.com), January 24, 2004.

But when in doubt, there is no mortal sin. If the matter is troubling you, and a sin seems serious, make a fervent act of contrition. That would suffice for a soul to be saved if dead without absolution.

Imprudent advice, at best.

This is a matter between him & his confessor.

-- jake (j@k.e), January 24, 2004.

Why is it that when someone mentions 'go to confession to be on the safe side', someone else pops in with 'oh, that's not necessary' or a hundred other 'instead you can do this' scenarios?

I don't get it. Honestly. I'm just having a hard time understanding why any good Catholic would try and.....well.....what appears to be talking them out of Confession.

Matt, Confession is an awesome Sacrament. One not need be in mortal sin to take advantage of this sacrament. Going to Confession regularly, even with no mortal sin on the soul, helps to 'fine tune' one's conscience, gives the one confessing a chance for great advice from his confessor, and gives extra graces to help us avoid those sins we confess. This should never be something to avoid.

As far as your situation, like jake said, that is between you and your confessor. He would know best what advice to give you. It is always best to speak with him. And when in doubt, be on the safe side. We here cannot judge your heart and/or soul. Don't let anyone ever try and talk you out of receiving a sacrament.

Padre Pio recommended weekly confession, so as to keep one's conscience sharp. Don't get me wrong, I am not trying to tell you that once a month for you is not enough, only that should you go sooner than that, that is OK, too.

-- Isabel (joejoe1REMOVE@msn.com), January 24, 2004.

"Confession is the soul's bath. You must go at least once a week. I do not want souls to stay away from confession more than a week. Even a clean and unoccupied room gathers dust; return after a week and you will see that it needs dusting again!"

St. Padre Pio

-- jake (j@k.e), January 24, 2004.

Exactly what is wrong with an act of contrition, Jake? Are you in a perpetual state of mortal sin, so only a cold shower in the confessional has power to repair you?

-- eugene c. chavez (loschavez@pacbell.net), January 24, 2004.

Exactly what is wrong with an act of contrition, Jake?

Nothing, unless you use it as a substitute for sacramental Confession.

My turn: What's wrong with Padre Pio's reccommendation?

-- jake (j@k.e), January 24, 2004.

Dear Matt:
There's something called ''devotional confession'' for good Catholics; an exercise in piety.

The reception of devotional confession is a way of obtaining grace in greater abundance; and I would never advise against unnecessary confession for only THAT purpose.

We aren't referring to a devotional act but to mortal sin itself when I councel that for a ''doubtful sin'', just an act of contrition can be adequate. The POSSIBILITY of sin leaves room for doubt. Only a sin committed with real awareness can condemn you without confession. Faithful souls ask God's forgiveness with complete faith if we aren't sure an act was really sinful.

It's fine for you to keep yourself scrupulous and ardent in your love of God. Only, --don't reach out for the sacrament of reconciliation merely from insecurity. God treats us as adults, Matt. He has no wish to ''catch you'' when you're not looking. You can have complete faith in His divine mercy; because you know you'll always be a sinner to Him. All of us are. Yet, we know he gave his beloved Son up to death on the cross for our sake. That proves He has only love for you, and wants to be forgiving always! Search your conscience and your heart. Confess your sins. But if you're left wondering if you have sinned; tell Him you wouldn't knowingly offend Him. Make the act of contrition with faith, and don't be afraid after that. God is your Father. He has all the love in the world for you!

-- eugene c. chavez (loschavez@pacbell.net), January 24, 2004.

/ / /

-- eugene c. chavez (loschavez@pacbell.net), January 24, 2004.

i agree with all the different advices given.

i think eugene's advice to make a fervent act of contrition is the quickest and the safest. We are encouraged by Mother Church to make an examination of conscience and an act of contrition every night before going to bed.

paul h's advice is very practical, leads to honesty and humility

christina's advice to go to confession as soon as possible is very practical as well

bill's advice "when in doubt, confess" is also very practical; covers all the bases, even venial sins

isabel's and jake's advice of weekly confession is great! to gain plenary indulgences for our souls and the souls of the faithful departed, a single confession is only good for a week. weekly confession of venial and mortal sins is the best! i think all catholics should avail themselves of the graces received from weekly confession.

-- andrew (aevans302@yahoo.com), January 24, 2004.

Jmj

Hello, Andrew.
You wrote: "to gain plenary indulgences for our souls and the souls of the faithful departed, a single confession is only good for a week."

I'm sorry, but someone must have given you incorrect information about this. I am not encouraging infrequent Confession, but the truth is that one can gain a plenary indulgence every day even though one goes to the Sacrament of Penance once every five weeks.

This fact was clarified in recent years by the Vatican tribunal known as the Apostolic Penitentiary [which is not a prison, but a sort of court]. The AP's head, U.S. Cardinal William Baum, published updated norms that contain the following provisions:

It is appropriate, but not necessary, that the sacramental Confession and especially Holy Communion and the prayer for the Pope's intentions take place on the same day that the indulgenced work is performed; but it is sufficient that these sacred rites and prayers be carried out within several days (about 20) before or after the indulgenced act. Prayer for the Pope's intentions is left to the choice of the faithful, but an "Our Father" and a "Hail Mary" are suggested. One sacramental Confession suffices for several plenary indulgences, but a separate Holy Communion and a separate prayer for the Holy Father's intentions are required for each plenary indulgence. For the sake of those legitimately impeded, confessors can commute both the work prescribed and the conditions required (except, obviously, detachment from even venial sin).

[The full text of the statement is here.]

So you can see that, if there is even a 40-day span between confessions (almost six weeks), one plenary indulgence may be gained on each day of that period, because the "work" will have been done no more than 20 days before or after the confession. On top of that, people who are incapable of getting to confession except extremely infrequently -- e.g., people in mission lands who see a priest only once or twice a year -- can receive a priest's "commutation" of the conditions of Confession and Communion, thus being able to gain a plenary indulgence every day indefinitely.

God bless you.
John

-- J. F. Gecik (jfgecik@hotmail.com), January 30, 2004.