Venial sin - the low-grade fever of the soul.
“When I see someone sad, I always think she is refusing something to Jesus.” - Blessed Mother Teresa.
Cathy of Alexandria has a beautiful reflection on venial sin and the grace of the Sacrament of Penance. Most Catholics realize venial sins, properly repented of, may be forgiven in many ways without Confession; through an act of contrition, Holy Communion, prayer, good works, etc.. However, it is good to confess venial sins in regular Confession, since the Sacrament itself is a source of actual graces, strengthening us to avoid sin in the future. Sacramental Confession is frequently the source of a deep interior joy which invigorates our generosity in the service of God.
Venial sin deprives us of many graces which could merit greater help from God, as well as hinder our growth in the love of God. Disregard of venial sins can become stepping stones to mortal sin, causing the soul to fall little by little through carelessness. The indifference generated by venial sin can weaken our will and discrenment in recognizing mortal sin. The Sacrament of Penance helps us correct this tendency, and is often the primary source for good spiritual direction in our spiritual life.
I want to go to Confession NOW!
September 23rd, 2007 at 1:19 pm
I’ve not run across it but I regularly read of priests who chastise penitents for “wasting their time” telling only venial sins.
That is really sad. When Popes and Saints like Padre Pio have regularly gone to confession, you know that there must be value in it.
And none of us will make it to Heaven unless we are like Saints ourselves. How can we improve unless we speak spiritual guidance from our confessors?
Right now most of us will have to do many light years of time in Purgatory if we don’t start going to Confession regularly, eliminating first our mortal sins, and then one by one, our venial sins.
September 23rd, 2007 at 2:35 pm
I’ve been chastized for confessing venial sins. Sometimes, when priests are very busy in the confessional, such as at downtown churches, and the lines are long, they can become impatient.
September 23rd, 2007 at 3:03 pm
i went yesterday & only finished my 4 Our Fathers penance today!That’s bad!
September 23rd, 2007 at 3:16 pm
Jackie - Rather - it’s good you completed your penance.
September 23rd, 2007 at 3:20 pm
I think if a priest chastised me for confessing a venial sin, it would be a sign that I needed to find a different confessor. Fortunately that hasn’t happened lately. In the 1980’s when we lived in Colorado, the pastor of the parish where we were members announced that there would no longer be regularly scheduled confessions, “…because the only people who came were old ladies with venial sins.” I solved the problem by going to confession when I visited my hometown, where they still had confession on Saturday afternoon. I understand that the situation in Colorado has changed, under different management.
September 23rd, 2007 at 5:30 pm
Ray: I’m grateful I’ve never run into that kind of thing.
September 23rd, 2007 at 10:09 pm
Ray, a Light year is measure of distance not time.
September 24th, 2007 at 6:32 am
I’ve been going to Confession 3-4 times a month for the past couple of years & sometimes I get self-conscious when I feel like I “don’t have anything to confess.” But my confessor is very patient & kind, and helps me to discover the little things. I can tell a huge difference in my life now vs. how I used to be (read: angry & disdainful of the faith).
September 24th, 2007 at 3:43 pm
Don’t forget…going to confession often is necessary to obtain indulgences for oneself or for souls in purgatory. To obtain a plenary indulgence (remission of all punishment due to sin for the entire lifetime) you must do the following: sacramental confession, communion, prayers for the Pope’s intentions and an indulgenced act - which most often is saying the rosary in the church or the stations of the cross. Think about it, it would take about an hour on a weekday to have all your punishment wiped out - totally. Think of the souls we could release from purgatory! Don’t forget your suffering brethren!
Whenever a Catholic goes to confession it behooves said Catholic to be mindful of indulgences and don’t waste the graces and mercy our Lord offers us! Go here for the Handbook of Indulgences and learn more!
http://www.ewtnreligiouscatalogue.com/shop.axd/Search?keywor ds=handbook+indulgences