Catholic Info
Traditional Catholic Faith => Catholic Living in the Modern World => Topic started by: nctradcath on June 27, 2016, 09:26:37 AM
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Dear forum,
What would be good advice to give to a traditional Catholic in a state of mortal sin who cannot get to a real priest for confession for two weeks due to distance and work? How did Catholics in the past handle this very real situation? Obviously those of us in the US are luckier than those in other countries? What advice should be given to those poor souls that will give them hope that they would not be fired into hell if they died before two weeks? Going to a fake novus ordo priest would not be an option or good advice.
thank you for your time,
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Dear forum,
What would be good advice to give to a traditional Catholic in a state of mortal sin who cannot get to a real priest for confession for two weeks due to distance and work? How did Catholics in the past handle this very real situation? Obviously those of us in the US are luckier than those in other countries? What advice should be given to those poor souls that will give them hope that they would not be fired into hell if they died before two weeks? Going to a fake novus ordo priest would not be an option or good advice.
thank you for your time,
Traditionally, the immediate action has always been to make a Perfect Act of Contrition, which consists in heartfelt sorrow only for offending God, without regard to fear of punishment (Hell). This is also a good practice, period. For example, recently I committed a single sin which was a result of poor judgment on my part but was most likely venial. Nevertheless, it made me feel very uncomfortable. (I am more sensitive to all of my sins lately, including venial ones; if they trouble me, for whatever reason, I am uncomfortable until I can confess them. That's not scruples; it's just where I am in my spiritual life right now.)
I made a perfect Act of Contrition-- in fact, more than one. I also made a visit to chapel and said two rosaries. Then, two days later, I went to confession (trad priest, yes). I will say, though, that I sensed that my friendship with Our Lord was definitely restored and renewed prior to getting, actually, to the Sacrament. He knew that the sacrament was my intention, and that the previously expressed sorrow was out of love, not out of fear.
If I were you, I would just keep saying a daily act of perfect contrition, along with a rosary centered on the Sorrowful Mysteries, until you can get to confession. I would also say the Litany to the Sacred Heart, daily.
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My advice is to encourage the soul to develop a devotion to the Pardon Crucifix, many Traditional Catholics today do not know or understand the Pardon Crucifix however, there is much information on the Internet about it.
I learned about it before Vatican II and have always believed in its promises, but I remember learning that it must be blessed. So in this case, you who might have an opportunity to have it blessed by a priest can do so and send it to your friend.
Pope St. Pius X and the Pardon Crucifix
Pardon Crucifix and Indulgences:
Whoever carries on his person the Pardon Crucifix, may thereby gain an indulgence.
For devoutly kissing the Crucifix, an indulgence is gained.
Whoever says one of the following invocations before this crucifix may gain each time an indulgence: “Our Father who art in heaven, forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.” “I beg the Blessed Virgin Mary to pray to the Lord our God for me.”
Whoever, habitually devout to this Crucifix, will fulfill the necessary conditions of Confession and Holy Communion, may gain a Plenary Indulgence on the following feasts: On the feasts of the Five Wounds of our Lord, the Invention of the Holy Cross, the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, the Immaculate Conception, and the Seven Dolors of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Whoever at the moment of death, fortified with the Sacraments of the Church, or contrite of heart, in the supposition of being unable to receive them, will kiss this Crucifix and ask pardon of God for his sins, and pardon his neighbor, will gain a Plenary Indulgence.
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I don't have any problems with access, but these are very good suggestions. Thanks for them.
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I think this book (http://www.saintsbooks.net/books/Fr.%20John%20Furniss%20-%20Confession.html) is good for learning how to and encouraging a person to make a perfect act of contrition.
A person should make an act of contrition immediately after becoming aware of any sin throughout the day.
'Good Christians make an examination of conscience and an act of contrition every evening. There was a devout monk lying at the point of death; when his Superior came and told him to make his confession, he answered: "Blessed be God! I have for thirty years made an examination of conscience every evening, and have made my confession every day as if I were at the point of death."'
St. Alphonsus Maria de Liguori
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I think this book (http://www.saintsbooks.net/books/Fr.%20John%20Furniss%20-%20Confession.html) is good for learning how to and encouraging a person to make a perfect act of contrition.
What a joy that link was to read. Very edifying. Thank you for that.
A person should make an act of contrition immediately after becoming aware of any sin throughout the day.
Absolutely we should.
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Thank you all. I was able to get to mass and confession this weekend. Deo Gratias!
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Very glad that we could be of help, if we were, but as you said, the greater thanks belongs to God.