Videos

Mortal vs. Venial Sin

Mortal vs. Venial Sin

In this video Fr. Mike Schmitz discusses the difference between venial sin and mortal sin.

Mortal vs. Venial Sin

Fr. Mike Schmitz

Fr. Mike opens with the scripture passage from 1 John 5: 16-17. "There is such a thing as deadly sin", writes John.

There are 3 stipulations for a sin to be mortal:

  1. The offense must be serious
  2. You must know it's serious
  3. You must give full consent to committing the offense

All sin is wrongdoing and an offense against God. Venial sins harm our relationship with God, but mortal sin breaks our communion with Him. This is true in all relationships. Some offenses will weaken our friendship, but some will cause irreparable damage. We should strive to not offend anyone we're in a relationship with, particularly our Lord.

The wonderful gift is that grace is always available to us. God desires to restore our relationship with Him. No one is beyond the reach of God's grace. It's time to be forgiven.

Key Takeaways

There is a difference between mortal and venial sin.

  • There is a difference between venial and mortal sin.
  • Mortal sin is a grave action, committed in full knowledge of its gravity and with full consent.
  • Venial sin weakens us to the point where it makes committing a mortal sin easier.
  • Confession is the Sacrament of Mercy.
  • Sin is a wound in our relationship with God and others.
  • Grace is always available to us

Questions for Reflection

  1. Are you sensitive to the difference between a mortal and venial sin and realize when you have committed one or the other?
  2. Do you try to avoid venial sins and confess them regularly to avoid falling into more serious sin?
  3. Do you think it's important to examine yourself daily to see a pattern of behaviors which may be sinful or ways where you have failed to love God and others?

Other Resources

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A Guided Examination of Conscience

This Examination of Conscience is a wonderful tool that can be used every time you prepare for the Sacrament of Reconciliation. One good word of advice: Make sure you pray before you prepare.
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Father Mark-Mary
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Fr Mark-Mary walks you through the Ten Commandments in a way which enables you to go deeper into your examination before going to Confession. The questions he asks are helpful to anyone who desires to more thoroughly prepare to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

Videos

Why Confess My Sins to a Priest?

Fr. Mike Schmitz discusses the authority of priests to offer forgiveness of sins through the ministry of the Church.
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Fr. Mike Schmitz
Ascension Presents

Jesus gave His disciples the power to forgive sins when He breathed His Spirit on them after the Resurrection. Through apostolic succession, each priest has the same power entrusted to him. This gift was given to the Church so that the forgiveness of Christ can go out to the whole world.

Through this power and authority of Jesus, we are absolved of our sins. Reconciliation between us and God and the community is obtained.

Key Takeaways

  • Christ established the Sacrament of Reconciliation to bring forgiveness to the world.
  • Priests represent Christ.
  • Authority to forgive sins is lived in and through the priest.
  • One person's sins affect the whole body of Christ.

Questions for Reflection

  1. Do you believe in the authority of priests to forgive your sins?
  2. Why is going to a priest to confess your sins different than just saying them to yourself?
  3. What do you think of the reality that our sins harm the Body of Christ?
Examinations

Bulldog Catholic examination of Conscience

Complete Examination of Conscience to help prepare you to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
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Bulldog Catholic

This Examination of Conscience is very thorough covering:

Making an Examination of Conscience

The difference between mortal and venial sin

The Ten Commandments

The precepts of the Church

How to go to Confession

Catechism of the Catholic Church regarding Confession

Quotes from Saints on Confession

Pope Francis on Confession

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Catholicism 101: Confession!

Learn the importance of making a good Confession and how to improve your Confessions.
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Institute for New Media
Institute for New Media

In this short, humorous video created by the Institute for New Media, we are given the boost we may need getting to Confession. It covers many of the fears we may face returning to the Sacrament if we've committed a sin we are especially embarrassed about.

Key Takeaways

  • The video is short and to the point
  • Clever images and vocalizations used to ease anxiety about Confession
  • Highlights God's Mercy
  • Emphasizes Confession is not about judgement

Questions for Reflection

  1. Did this video put your mind at ease regarding Confession?
  2. Is it easier for you to believe that Confession is not something you should fear after watching this video?
  3. Can you identify what's keeping you from returning to Confession?
Videos

Most Common Problems I See in Confession (and how to fix!)

Learn the importance of making a good Confession and how to improve your Confessions.
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Fr. Casey Cole OFM
Breaking in the Habit

It is evident in this video that Fr. Casey Cole has a great love for the Sacrament of Reconciliation. One of his disappointments is that some who come to to Confession have not been given proper formation in how to make a good Confession.

Because the confessional is not always conducive for instruction on "How to make a proper Confession", Fr. Casey has created Tik Tok videos featuring seven different common ways people can misuse the sacrament.

The videos are exaggerated scenarios where Fr. Casey plays the priest hearing Confession and the penitent individual. What is most clearly expressed in this video is Fr. Casey's deep love and respect for those coming to Confession and his hope that all who come to the sacrament can experience God's amazing love for them.

Key Takeaways

  • Fr. Casey desires to "teach" and "form" individuals in the proper use of the Sacrament of Confession

Some ways people do not use the sacrament properly:

  • List - Individuals can come to Confession with a long list of sins without much evidence of contrition for any of them.
  • Burying the Lede - There are some who hurriedly squeeze a serious sin between two venial sins without giving an indication that there's a difference between the two.
  • Confessing everything as mortal - Not all sins are serious. It is important to know the difference between the two.
  • Scrupulosity - The frequent, habitual use of Confession is usually an indication of a mental health issue. The CCC #1393 and 1394 show how our sins are expiated through our reception of the Eucharist at mass. This may not be enough for those who suffer from obsessive, compulsive disorder, but it may give some comfort to them.
  • Vagueness - Confessing that you have broken commandments 1, 5 and 8 is not enough information for the priest to understand what you are struggling with.
  • Naming other's sins - Confession is about your relationship with God. It is not meant to be a time to discuss the faults of others.
  • The Rambler - Confession is not the time to discuss theological questions or sorting out how you feel about things. It is always about confessing the ways in which you've failed to love God.
  • Welcome Home - It it clearly shown how much having someone return to the Sacrament of Confession means to Fr. Casey in this last short Tik Tok video. True contrition is a joy to see.

Questions for Reflection

  1. Did any of the videos make you think of the way you go to Confession?
  2. Were you convicted by any of the videos?
  3. Will viewing these videos help you think about how you approach the sacrament the next time you go?
  4. Can you sense how Fr. Casey feels about the Sacrament of Confession?
Testimonies

Confession Changed Me

Confession changed the life of several people who were away from the Sacrament for many years.
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Joseph Pronechen
NC Register

Joseph Pronechen collects stories about several people who returned to the Sacrament of Reconciliation after being away for many years. Beautiful testimonies! There is so much joy in their return to God.