Mortal Sin

 BASIC R.C.BELIEF

A serious offense against the law of God, called mortal because it renders the soul dead to sanctifying grace and makes it subject to the eternal punishment of Hell. The conditions that must be present for this sin to be mortal are: serious matter, sufficient reflection, full consent of the will.

Venial sin is a minor offense, and by committing it one does not lose sanctifying Grace, but will go to Purgatory because of unforgiven venial sin.

From THE SINS ARE FORGIVEN, by Francis Connell, C.SS.R., Imp. Francis Spellman. p. 28, "One who remains in sanctifying grace for any length of time ... amasses an abundance of supernatural treasure. ... But even one mortal sin suffices to deprive a person of this treasure."

From FATHER SMITH INSTRUCTS JACKSON, page 77. "Father Smith: In closing this instruction I might note that by mortal sin we relinquish all past merit, but when the mortal sin is forgiven through the Sacrament of Penance, merit revives in proportion to the sincere and loving sorrow with which the sinner receives the Sacrament."

Deliberately breaking any of the laws of the church (see below) with full consent of the will and having had sufficient reflection, is a mortal sin.

From AN EXPLANATION OF THE BALTIMORE CATECHISM, Imp. Cardinal Patrick Hayes, page 185. "...examine yourself on the Commandments of the Church.

"First, To hear Mass on Sundays and holy-days of obligation.

"Second, To fast and abstain on the days appointed.

"Third, To confess at least once a year.

"Fourth, To receive Holy Eucharist during the Easter time.

"Fifth, To contribute to the support of our pastors.

"Sixth, Not to marry persons who are not Catholics, or who are related to us within the third degree of kindred, or privately without witnesses, nor to solemnize marriage at forbidden times."

POST VATICAN II

The conditions necessary for mortal sin are causing some modern theologians to wonder if a person can commit a mortal sin, for if he reflected sufficiently, he would know the sin could send him to Hell, and he could never give full consent of his will. Therefore the conditions could never be met.