Q: I always go to Mass and I am a lector, but I do not partake of the Eucharist anymore because I do not have any confidence in the sacrament of confession. I know the three things that need to be in place for a sin to be mortal, but neither the priest nor I can be certain if our judgment is correct. I have never had any peace in confession, right from the start (after RCIA). I would like a dispensation to never have to receive the Eucharist. Is that possible? – P.H.
Answered by Fr. Edward McIlmail, LC
A: The solution here isn’t to forgo the Eucharist permanently.
Catholics need to receive Communion at least once a year (not a very high standard). Giving up on the Eucharist isn’t the way to live one’s Catholic faith, especially since it’s the source and summit of the Christian life.
The real solution would be to form your conscience well.
Scrupulosity might be the problem here, which is why it would help to find a solid, regular confessor to guide you.
I say a confessor (singular) rather than confessors (plural). Multiple confessors might confuse you with their different shades of advice.
A good confessor could help you understand the conditions for mortal sin — grave matter, sufficient knowledge, full consent.
True, we won’t always be 100% correct about every judgment we make. But Christ doesn’t ask that of us. He asks us to do our best.
If we try our best to make a good confession, then God forgives us all our sins, even the ones we might not be aware of, including those dealing with objectively grave matter.
I hope some of this helps. Count on my prayers.
