ASK A PRIEST
QUESTIONS ABOUT SIN & REPENTANCE
“Ask a Priest: What is Sin of Omission?”
Q: I do not understand what a sin of omission is. There are many good things I can do every day. Am I sinning if I do not do them? For example, sometimes I can get frustrated because I see a good thing I can do, that might not be ...
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“Ask a Priest: Could My Relationship With God Be Beyond Repair?”
Q: I’d been struggling with a particular mortal sin for a very long time. I hadn’t been taking it seriously. However, I started to notice that my mental health was declining. I was doubting God and fearing that he doesn’t exist because I didn’t feel a closeness to him anymore. ...
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“Ask a Priest: How Could I Improve My Confessions?”
Q: My question is about preparation for confession. I review the Ten Commandments and the Beatitudes. I feel I make my confession as I did as a child. I confessed my mortal sins years ago for which I received absolution. I sometimes have uncharitable and unkind thoughts — should these ...
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“Ask a Priest: What About Those 99 Sheep Left Behind?”
Q: My hairdresser, a Protestant who recently returned to her faith, was wondering about the parable of the lost sheep. She understood why Jesus went after the lost sheep but did not understand why he would just leave 99 alone. It seemed she was concerned that they were abandoned or ...
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“Ask a Priest: What If a Dream Involves Something Normally Sinful?
Q: If a person is having dreams about sinning against the Ten Commandments like mortal sins but he does not wish them, what does it mean? I ask this because I have been experiencing this off and on, and I wake up feeling shame and guilt. I have felt many ...
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“Ask a Priest: How often can I go to confession?”
Q: Can a person go to confession every week even if they have no mortal sins? Can a person still go and confess venial sins? Or do you need to include one mortal sin from the past? Is it an abuse of the sacrament if you go to confession more ...
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“Ask a Priest: What If a Confessor Didn’t Want to Hear of My Forgotten Sins?”
Q: Years ago, I led a sinful lifestyle. I have since returned to the Church and have been going to confession regularly. I still sometimes remember old sins from my past that I have inadvertently left unconfessed. It’s nearly impossible to remember everything I’ve done, though I am truly sorry ...
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“Ask a Priest: What Needs to Be Confessed Before Baptism?”
Q: What does a 7-year-old or adult have to confess, right before a priest will baptize them? – J.S. Answered by Fr. Edward McIlmail, LC A: A person who isn’t baptized cannot receive the sacrament of confession. A person must be baptized to be able to receive the other sacraments. Baptism, ...
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