Forgiven?
            QUESTION from Jamie on May 6, 2004

First of all, I would like to thank you for the work that you do. I have been reading the Q&A and I have learned so much from the answers that you have given people. I have found comfort in the answers, but the more I learn, the more concerned I am about a few things.

I went to Confession 2 months ago and I made, what I thought was, a very good confession. I took a lot of time examining my conscience (I used a guide that was very thorough) and I made a list that I took with me so that I would not forget anything. Now, I realize that I have forgotten some things--some sins that I realize now, are mortal sins. My thinking is that if the Spirit moved me to "remember" these sins and feel sorrow for them, then I need to confess them. I have been so terrified that I will lose my salvation because of this.

I know that for a sin to be considered Mortal, 3 conditons must exist. Serious matter, full awareness of the serious nature of the sin, committing the sin with that knowledge. It seems to me that ALL sin could be considered mortal because I am full aware of the Commandments and what a serious offense it is against God to break them. I worry myself sick that I will be cast into hell because of the knowledge I have of what God expects of his children and my failure to live up to his expectations.

Thank you so much for your help and may God bless you for the work that you do.

             ANSWER by Bro. Ignatius Mary, OLSM on May 10, 2004

Dear Jamie:

I praise God that our apostolate has been useful to you. Thank You.

If one forgets to mention a sin during confession, it is still absolved. If one remembers later, then bring that to your next confession.

You are not losing your salvation over this. One does not accidently trip into hell. Hell is the fate of those who deliberately reject God's love and forgiveness at the point of death.

Many people do not know this, but when we commit a mortal sin, if we offer God a Act of Perfect Contrition that mortal sin is forgiven right there on the spot, even before you go to confession. There is a "but". The "but" is that you must promise to follow-up on your Act of Perfect Contrition with Sacramental Confession and not receive the Eucharist until then.

God always gives us a way. No one has to go to hell because they committed a sin and then died before getting to confession. In such a case, the sins can be forgiven with "Last Rites" (the Sacrament of Anointing), or by offering a Perfect Act of Contrition as soon as possible after committing the sin.

A Perfect Act of Contrition is done out of Love of God, rather than the fear of hell. Here are some examples (example #1 is the most common):

Acts of Perfect Contrition

1) My God, I am sorry for my sins with all my heart. In choosing to do wrong and failing to do good, I have sinned against you whom I should love above all things. I firmly intend, with your help, to do penance, to sin no more, and to avoid whatever leads me to sin. Our Savior Jesus Christ suffered and died for us. In his name, my God, have mercy

2) O my God, I am sorry for my sins because I have offended you. I know I should love you above all things. Help me to do penance, to do better, and to avoid anything that might lead me to sin. Amen.

3) O Lord Jesus, lover of our souls, who, for the great love with which You loved us, willed not the death of a sinner, but rather that he should be converted and live, I grieve from the bottom of my heart that I offended You, my most loving Father and Redeemer, to whom all sin is infinitely displeasing, who so loved us You shed Your blood for me, and endured the bitter torments of a most cruel death. O my God, my infinite Goodness, would that I never offended You. Pardon me, O Lord Jesus, as I most humbly implore Your mercy. Have pity on a sinner for whom Your blood pleads before the face of the Father. Amen.

4) O merciful and forgiving Lord, for the love of Your, I forgive all who have ever offended me. I firmly resolve to forsake and flee from all sins, and to avoid the occasions of them, to confess, in bitterness of spirit, all those sins which I committed against Your divine goodness, and to Love You, O my God, for Your own sake, above all things and for ever. Grant me grace so to do, most gracious Lord Jesus. Amen.

God Bless,
Bro. Ignatius Mary

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