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Question
This past Monday I made a confession containing mortal sins. I told the priest the last time I went to Confession was in December(which is true) but the December confession a sacrielouge because I held back a mortal sin.
My question is: Is my Confession I made Monday valid? due to the fact that I told the priest that my last time I made my confession was in December(though that Dec. Confession was invalid?.)
Thank and God Bless you through the Blessed Mother,
Billy
Hi, Billy:
Thanks for the question.
It is a true fact that you went to confession in December, and it is unfortunate that you held back deliberately mention of a mortal sin that you knew you should have confessed. It would not be a lie to say that you "went to confession" in December; however, I hope that in this current confession on the Monday you describe that you confessed the sin you held back in December, and the circumstance that you had held back that sin in December, making it a sacrilegious confession. The Doors of God's Mercy are WIDE-OPEN: God loves you and wants to extend to you His forgiveness and healing power for every sin you confess. Based upon your description of your understanding of this matter, it seems that you truly believe in God's love and forgiveness to you for any and all sins confessed; and you realize that all mortal sins must be confessed. So as Jesus says over and over in the Gospels: Do not be afraid.
If you know that you need to go to confession, then by all means go and receive mercy, grace and peace. Let nothing hold you back, and do not harbor shame and grief. This is a Holy Season of Penance and turning to God with all your heart. May God bless you, Billy.
Fr. Timothy Johnson
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Answers by Expert:
Fr. Timothy Johnson
Expertise
A Traditional Catholic Priest, validly and licitly ordained, incardinated legally and canonically in the Diocese of Fargo, and in good-standing with my Local Ordinary (Bishop) on active assignment at a rural Tri-Parish. I can provide honest and balanced answers to questions on topics pertaining to Traditional Roman Catholicism of the Latin Church (Councils of Trent and Vatican II)and a lot about the Eastern Catholic Churches, including the Sacred Liturgy, Sacred Scripture, Church History, the use of the Latin language, the tradition of Sacred Music, and current events in the Catholic Church from a traditional, historical and balanced perspective.
Experience
I have been ordained a Roman Catholic Priest since June 2001.
Organizations
Knights of Columbus; Church Music Association of America (CMAA)
Education/Credentials
Ordained Priest, 02 JUN 2001; Ordained Deacon, 27 JAN 2001; MA - Dogmatic/Systematic Theology;
MDiv - Professional Degree from Seminary;
2-Years formation with Canons Regular of Premontre including studies and experience in Sacred Liturgy, Chant, Latin, Sacraments, Spirituality.
BA - Scholastic/Thomistic Philosophy;
BA - Liberal Arts;
AA - General Studies.
Past/Present Clients
I serve 3-small, rural Parish Communities in Easter North Dakota
I converted to the Roman Catholic Church in 1981, at the age of 15.
Over the years I have done work as an organist, cantor, and choir director for the Latin Rite (English & Latin) Mass (Liturgy of the Eucharist), and even for the Hours of the Divine Office.
I have worked as a cantor for a Melkite Byzantine Catholic Church.
Presently my pastoral and administrative duties as a Catholic Priest do not allow me as much time as I used to have to devote to Sacred Music; but for my weekend Masses and Solemnities within my Tri-Parish, I offer High Sung Mass in English. Weekday Mass is typically Low Mass (recited Mass) in English, though on occasion I will offer the "Tridentine Mass" in Latin, which I usually offer on my "Day Off", as well. And now, in light of the "Motu Proprio" by his Holiness, Pope Benedict XVI placing the extraordinary usage of the Roman Rite back into the mainstream of the Catholic Church, I have been offering a regularly scheduled SUN, 2:00 PM Tridentine Latin Mass with a community of the faithful that has a stable existence.
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