Dear Col:

It is good that you are reflective of your own soul and careful not to offend God by receiving Him in the Eucharist unworthily. But, be careful not to be scrupulous.

First, remember that it is grave sin, not venial sin, that must be confessed before receiving our Lord in the Eucharist. If you sin between the time you go to Confession and the time you go to Mass what type of sin was it?. If it is actually venial sin you may still receive the Eucharist and in fact the Eucharist is a way to have venial sin forgiven.

For example, saying vulgar words is generally not grave sin. Saying God's name in vain is grave, but saying other "cuss" words is normally not grave.

Be sure to check with your priest about discerning which sins are grave and which are venial.

Second, daily Mass is not a requirement. We are required only to celebrate Sunday Mass. If you have the opportunity to go to daily Mass and receive the Eucharist daily that is great, but it is not required. Thus, if you do commit a grave sin during the week to not receive the Eucharist until the weekend after you have been to confession is not a problem

As for the Sunday Mass, most parishes have confession on Saturday and then 30 minutes later have Sunday vigil Mass. Surely you can go to confession, then stay in the church to pray for 30 minutes or so without sinning, and then attend Mass and receive the Eucharist.

So what is this about not receiving the Eucharist for two months? That does not make any sense. Go to confession and then go immediately to Mass afterward as I mentioned above. There is no excuse to not receiving our Lord for two months.

I suspect that there is some scrupulosity going on here. Talk with your priest about this.

As for the story of the nun, she REFUSED to confess a mortal sin. If we die with mortal sin on our soul then we go to hell. There is NO EXCUSE to have mortal sin on one's soul at death. That is what confession is for. If you have mortal sin on your soul -- CONFESS.

The only people who go to hell are those who deliberately REFUSE God's invitation of mercy. God is merciful, but we must accept that mercy willingly. God will not force his mercy upon us.

1 John 1:9 says "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness."

God will forgive us, but we must ask. The nun did not ask.

What chance have you to go to heaven if this nun didn't? You have an EXCELLENT hope of heaven because you are willing to ask God for forgiveness.

Because she was a nun means nothing. What matters is if we are willing to ask God for forgiveness and to receive His mercy. ANYONE -- a nun, priest, bishop, Pope, or laymen -- who refuses to ask forgiveness and refuses God's mercy at the point of death will spend eternity without God.

How do you avoid that? By participating in the Sacraments, receiving the Eucharist, attending to Confession, and living the good Christian life. There is no excuse for anyone to go to hell. God provides us with everything we need to spend eternity with him in heaven.

Talk with your priest about how to define grave sin. I think you are probably not defining grave sin properly. Receive the Eucharist at the Sunday liturgy. If you need, go to Saturday confession and then go to the vigil Mass right after Confession. Surely you can spend 30 minutes or so between confession and Mass without committing a grave sin.

God Bless,
Bro. Ignatius Mary