A question for fellow Catholics...?

Question

Is it possible to receive forgiveness from God even without having to do the sacrament of Reconciliation?

I'm not asking this because I don't want to do Reconciliation, but because I'm worried that when the priests aren't available or I'm too busy, I want to be able to ask for forgiveness anyway.

I believe that it is possible, when you have no other choice. I myself don't see why God wouldn't forgive me of my sins right now if I couldn't ask for it any time later. I've heard of this prayer called the "Perfect Contrition" or something like that which you can use outside of the sacrament of Reconcilation. Is there such a prayer? If there is, I would appreciate knowing what it is.

Answers are greatly appreciated. (For those who aren't Catholicsor theists, please keep insults, mockery, and sarcasm to a minimum.)

Answer 1

Yes you can

The act of contrition as it is found in the Small Catechism of the Catholic Religion by Bishop John Neumann of the Congregation of the most holy Redeemer, Fourth Bishop of Philadelphia, Imprimatur by the Most Rev. James Gibbons, Archbishop of Baltimore, given 24 July 1884:  



"O my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended Thee, and I detest all my sins, because I dread the loss of Heaven and the pains of h**l, but most of all because they offend Thee, my God, Who art all-good and deserving of all my love. I firmly resolve, with the help of Thy grace to confess my sins, to do penance and to amend my life. Amen

Michael: we have a right to be here just as much as you have

Answer 2

<<Is it possible to receive forgiveness from God even without having to do the sacrament of Reconciliation?>>

It's possible, but only in extreme situations - when you repent for sins and, for whatever reason, do not have access to the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

Under normal circumstances, you can only be absolved by receiving the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

Think logically - what would be the point of having this sacrament if it was not necessary.

<<I'm not asking this because I don't want to do Reconciliation, but because I'm worried that when the priests aren't available or I'm too busy, I want to be able to ask for forgiveness anyway.>>

Priests are ALWAYS available to hear confessions from 3-4pm on Saturday afternoons.

We're all "busy" - but not that busy. If you can't make Confession on Saturdays, you can always call the rectory and schedule Confession with the priest at a time that works for you.

<<I believe that it is possible, when you have no other choice.>>

When you "don't have a choice" meaning say. . .

a) you're ship sinks at sea and you wash up on a deserted island - no priest.

b) you're on a plane that's crashing

c) God forbid you're in some sort of accident and are unable to confess sins.

. . . yeah it's possible. but most people don't find themselves in these situations.

<<I myself don't see why God wouldn't forgive me of my sins right now if I couldn't ask for it any time later.>>

Those sins you want forgiven. . . do you repent? If you don't repent now, they may not be absolved later. That's why people are better off receiving Reconciliation than trying to "bargain" and "gamble" their way to God's mercy.

<<I've heard of this prayer called the "Perfect Contrition" or something like that which you can use outside of the sacrament of Reconcilation.>>

PERFECT CONTRITION - Sorrow for sin arising from perfect love. In perfect contrition the sinner detests sin more than any other evil, because it offends God, who is supremely good and deserving of all human love. Its motive is founded on God's own personal goodness and not merely his goodness to the sinner or to humanity. This motive, not the intensity of the act and less still the feelings experienced, is what essentially constitutes perfect sorrow. A perfect love of God, which motivates perfect contrition, does not necessarily exclude attachment to venial sin. Venial sin conflicts with a high degree of perfect love of God, but not with the substance of that love. Moreover, in the act of perfect contrition other motives can coexist with the perfect love required. There can be fear or gratitude, or even lesser motives such as self-respect and self-interest, along with the dominant reason for sorrow, which is love for God. Perfect contrition removes the guilt and eternal punishment due to grave sin, even before sacramental absolution. However, a Catholic is obliged to confess his or her grave sins at the earliest opportunity and may not, in norma circumstances, receive Communion before he or she has been absolved by a priest in the sacrament of penance.

<<Is there such a prayer? If there is, I would appreciate knowing what it is.>>

"Perfect Contrition" comes from the heart and the heart alone.

Answer 3

When it arises from a love by which God is loved above all else, contrition is called "perfect" (contrition of charity). Such contrition remits venial sins; it also obtains forgiveness of mortal sins if it includes the firm resolution to have recourse to sacramental confession as soon as possible.

http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/p2s2c2a4.h...

cheir and space captain, try reading John 20: 21-23.  You will see that Jesus gave His disciples the power and authority to forgive and retain sins.

Answer 4

This is not an insult, a mockery or sarcasm, though you do allow sarcasm to be at a minimum!

You guys are just so totally confusing. I just wanted to make the point. I think it better for you to keep off R&S with such questions.

Answer 5

1 John 1:9; ' ... if we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness'.

No mention of having to go to a priest.

Answer 6

Jesus tells you to ask him for forgiveness and not some priest for forgiveness

Answer 7

Actually you are supposed to ask for forgiveness from God and pray to God before going to Confession.  A reflection and true repentance are necessary before going to Confession.  These days it is very hard to find a priest to be obsolved.  Most offer times for Confession on Saturday evenings.  If you are unable to go, you can always call a priest and make an appointment.

Many Catholics do not go to reconciliation because of embarrasement or feel that there is no reason to receive the sacrament.  It's a sacrament of healing.  You're soul is healed and once again embrassed by God.  Don't skip the Sacrament and make excuses for not going if you can.  Catholics are obligated to go to confession at least once a year during the Easter season and encouraged to go as often as they can.  

BTW if you receive the Holy Eucharist without going to Confession with a major sin on your soul, you will committ another one.  Holy Eucharist obsolves only small sins.  It's encouraged that you go to Confession first before receiving the Eucharist.