Confession Before Communion?

[Ellenita]

My local Catholic church has a mass on Saturday evening and two on Sunday mornings. Do priests have to make confession before they administer communion, since it's part of every mass isn't it? I've also read at phatmass that some people go to mass more than once a week - would they make confession everytime beforehand if they intend to take communion?

[jrndveritatis]

Catholics are only REQUIRED to go to confession before communion if they have a mortal sin on their soul. A mortal sin occurs if it is a serious matter, they know it is wrong, and they give full consent.

Confession, however, is valuable even if you don't have a mortal sin...it helps you defeat venial sin and gives you grace for the fight.

Catholics are required to go to confession once a year, during Lent, to prepare for the Paschal Triduum: Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and the Easter Vigil. They also must go before they receive communion if they have a mortal sin on their soul.

[Aloysius]

i think she's talkin about specifically the priest. the priest is able to receive communion even if he has not confessed mortal sins because of the washig of the fingers and the penitential rite and stuff. it is an extreme circumstance, as he is needed for everyone else to receive communion, so as long as he has the intention of confessing, he's good 2 go. :priest: