sin

[Scofizzle]

I always have trouble descerning between venial and mortal sins. I feel like I am to hard on myself b/c I count almost everyhting as a mortal sin. I guessI just need a more specific definition. I have the basic def. but I'm looking for soemthing specific.

[Pio Nono]

JMJ
3/4 - St. Casimir

Scofizzle,

[i]Prima primo[/i] (that's a fancy Latin way of saying, "First things first"), let's review. Two classifications of sin exist - mortal sin and venial sin.

In order for a sin to be mortal, there must be three components - grave matter, full consent of the will, and full knowledge of the gravity of the sin. Full consent can be mitigated by a number of factors - psychological factors, whether the action is an habit/addiction, and the like. Full knowledge can be mitigated by things like ignorance, psychological factors, whether one was in his "right mind" and the like. Finally, my fundamental moral theology prof in Rome said that any sin is grave that fulfills two requirements - (a) it is in direct violation of one of the Commandments and (b) it is an action actually committed. In the case of thoughts, (b) would have to be fulfilled by actually [i]willing[/i] the thoughts and conjuring them up yourself.

Venial sins are those sins which are not mortal. I hope this helps; I encourage you to seek out a priest friend who can help you sort through these issues and help you conclude whether certain actions are mortal or venial sins.

Yours,
Pio Nono