Expert: Fr. Michael - 3/1/2011

Question
I believe that Christ's death on the cross paid the penalty for my own sins, including those which I committed before believing, and those which I commit from now until the day I die. Because of this theology, I have confidence in my eternal security by trusting that He has completed the work which began at regeneration (His work), and led to belief (my work), sanctification (my work and His), and eventually glorification (His work).

I know that orthodox Catholicism does not believe in eternal security. I think that it believes Christ's blood is re-shed each time a mass is performed (true?). From these two doctrines, please tell me if I am correct in drawing the following conclusion regarding the position of orthodox Catholicism and the atonement as it pertains to the individual:

When someone first believes, they are at that moment justified for sins having been committed past and present. However, the sins that they commit during the week from that point onward must be atoned for by the re-shedding of Christ's blood at mass each week. In this way, Christ's atonement is retroactive only.

Thanks so much,
Ben

Answer
I think that you have confused the Sacrament of Holy Eucharist and the Sacrament of Penance.  This is a subject that is exceeds the possibility of a short answer here, so I would refer you for further information to the Catechism of Pope St. Pius X, which you can access on line at www.traditio.com/tradlib/catpiusx.htm.