Ask A Priest Archives - St. James the Less Catholic Church

Is speeding a mortal sin? There was a stretch of a road I think I drove over the speed limit. Should I confess this sin before I receive Holy Communion, or is saying the Confiteor Prayer at the being of Holy Mass and also reading the Act of Contrition prayer enough to forgive my sin of speeding, and therefore, be in a state of grace for me to receive Holy Communion?

No, driving over the speed limit is not a mortal sin. It would not be considered serious matter in the moral life. That being said, if the lives of others or your own life is intentionally or unintentionally (while intoxicated, for instance) put in danger by the choice to drive recklessly, than it would be …

Is speeding a mortal sin? There was a stretch of a road I think I drove over the speed limit. Should I confess this sin before I receive Holy Communion, or is saying the Confiteor Prayer at the being of Holy Mass and also reading the Act of Contrition prayer enough to forgive my sin of speeding, and therefore, be in a state of grace for me to receive Holy Communion? Read More »

When does anger (wraith) become a mortal sin? Is yelling at siblings, friends, parents a mortal sin if they started the conversation angry? And if not, could you give me a example when it would become one? I didn’t understand the definition of mortal sin.

Ask A Priest, Sin & Confession

For a sin to be a mortal sin, there are always three conditions that have to be met: Grave Matter: The act itself is intrinsically evil and immoral Full Knowledge: The person must know that what they’re doing or planning to do is evil and immoral. Deliberate Consent: The person must freely choose to commit …

When does anger (wraith) become a mortal sin? Is yelling at siblings, friends, parents a mortal sin if they started the conversation angry? And if not, could you give me a example when it would become one? I didn’t understand the definition of mortal sin. Read More »

Questions and Answers on the U.S. Bishops’ Vote to Draft a Document on the Meaning of the Eucharist in the Life of the Church

Ask A Priest, Sacraments

To read “Questions and Answers on the U.S. Bishops’ Vote to Draft a Document on the Meaning of the Eucharist in the Life of the Church”, please click here.

Does the Bishop buy your clerical shirts?

Ask A Priest, Miscellaneous

Why do we need to be confirmed if we are already baptized? What do we receive in confirmation?

Ask A Priest, Sacraments

Confirmation is a new outpouring of the Holy Spirit. As Pentecost was for the Apostles, Confirmation is for us. When we are confirmed, we receive the Holy Spirit, the same Spirit who raised Jesus from the dead.

What is the punishment for reading the Quran in Christianity?

Ask A Priest, Miscellaneous

There is no punishment for reading the Quran. We are called to seek the truth wherever it may be found and we believe there to be some truth in the Quran. Thank you for asking that question! I appreciate the opportunity to answer it!

What is lukewarmness and is it a mortal sin?

Ask A Priest, Sin & Confession

The following definition is given in the New Catholic Encyclopedia, “Lukewarmness or tepidity, in spiritual theology, signifies the state of soul to which the warmth and fervor of charity is wanting, but has not yet completely deteriorated into the coldness of indifference and hatred.” In this understanding, lukewarmness would not be a mortal sin as …

What is lukewarmness and is it a mortal sin? Read More »

If I don’t feel bad for a sin, felt very justified doing it and confessed, is the confession legitimate?

Ask A Priest, Sin & Confession

Quick Answer: It would have been best to let the priest hearing your confession know that you did not feel subjectively guilty for the sin and that you felt it may have been justified. Most priests are happy to address such concerns so as to help you make the best confession possible. Longer Answer: A …

If I don’t feel bad for a sin, felt very justified doing it and confessed, is the confession legitimate? Read More »

I simply have a question about love and boasting. I know that 1 Corinthians 13 says love is not boastful. Would you consider it boastful if I told someone that I loved them, despite our views and opinions not being similar? (For example, when it comes to abortion). If I were to misunderstand love, would it be sinful?

Ask A Priest, Miscellaneous

No. Telling someone you love them even if your views are not similar is not boastful. Our love for people goes beyond agreement on issues and opinions.

Can someone commit an act of apostasy if he switches to another religion for few seconds and then goes back to Jesus instantly afterwards. Am I excommunicated?

Ask A Priest, Sin & Confession

The answer is NO. That is not an act of apostasy. It sounds like you are going through a questioning and struggle with faith. That is normal. One of the greatest prayers we can say is, “Lord, I do believe. Help my unbelief.”