Question about Reconciliation/Communion

[Hillbeans]

I thought I knew the answer to this, but today I found out something that i've not known before about Reconciliation/Communion and i've been a practicing Catholic almost my whole life.

Anyway, DH and I went to Reconciliation today - and it was ALWAYS my understanding that you could not receive Communion if you do not go to reconciliation after you missed a week of church. We had not been receiving communion because we had missed a few weeks of church over the late summer however DH read in a church booklet today while waiting to speak w/the priest that this rule only applies if you've committed a serious sin during the time of your last reconciliation and you need to absolve yourself before you receive communion again???

I had always thought and practiced the "no communion if you miss a week of mass before reconciliation" and now i'm shocked because I think of all the times i've not received and should/could have.

Does anyone know what is actually the rule on this?

 

[Rafiki Rafiki Rafiki]

There are several things the church considers to be more serious in the sin department, and everyone is much more forgiving than they used to be when it comes to attending church.

However, if you feel like you have committed a serious violation in the eyes of God, it's up to you to make amends for it. DD just made her first reconciliation last week, and the rules they've studied and issue of separation from the church seem to be WAY more relaxed and understanding than they used to be....but that may be my perception.

I've always seen reconciliation as a sacrament that makes you feel better about yourself--one that makes you actually hear a voice representing God to say, "It's okay. You're forgiven."

 

[the kabuki]

Mom taught me that you couldn't receive communion unless you went to confession first (yes I know , it's reconciliation, but grew up saying confession)

Guess they've relaxed the 'rules' a bit

 

[BethanyF]

I had a parents' Reconciliation class while Sam was taking his preparation class. It is taught totally different than when I was a kid. They no longer instill the fear that they did when I was growing up.
Anyway, they now say if you participate in the group Reconciliation prayer during Mass then you are ok to receive Communion. They are teaching that going to the Priest is a way for you to receive guidance to do better, that the actual forgiveness comes from God and you dont necessarily need the Priest to tell you that you are forgiven. By asking for guidance as opposed to forgiveness you are actually showing more of a desire to change. The Priest is also there there as a representative of your community, you need to tell your community you have done wrong, this is why the group prayer during Mass is sufficient for minor infractions.
I was surpised to relearn things, although I did like the new angle on this. It is much less intimidating than it was years ago. I know I am not explaining it as well as they did during class, but I hope you understand what I mean.

 

[Hillbeans]

Wow, this is all news to me.

 

[delilah]

This is an interesting thing, not to change the subject. All of these years, I have been feeling guilty when I miss Mass because I am on call, and needing to see patients in the hosptital. (I try to leave early enough so I can finish on time to go, but, sometimes, I just don't). According to the old Baltimore catechism, that I was reading because my son is making his first Communion this year, it is not a Mortal sin to miss Mass when one is caring for the sick (and I would presume this means like a doctor on call, who is under an obligation to properly care for hospitalized patients on Sunday morning, although at the time this was written, caring for patients in the hospital was much different than it is today. Back when, doctors didn't even round on patients on the weekend!). Made me feel much better.

 

[taximomfor4]

We learned the same thing when attending the Reconciliation prep class for my dd a few years ago. They reiterated many times that the two sacraments are separate from each other.