MORTAL VS. VENIAL SIN

Because Lent is a season of penance, I thought it would be a good time to discuss the difference between mortal and venial sin.

All sin is serious and wounds our relationship with God and with our brothers and sisters. Sometimes, people have the impression that venial sins are not serious sins. They are. The difference lies in the consequences of the sin. Mortal sin breaks our relationship with God. Venial sin weakens our relationship with God.

Mortal sins must ordinarily be absolved in the confessional. If you are aware of mortal sin on your conscience, refrain from receiving communion until you confess the mortal sin. Venial sins can be absolved in the confessional, but in other ways as well. Personal prayer; scripture study; acts of charity: each of these holy acts can be an occasion of forgiveness of venial sin.

For a sin to be a mortal sin, three elements must be present. First, you must be free to do the sin or not do the sin. Second, you must be aware that the sin is mortal rather than venial. Third, it must be grave matter. If ANY of these elements are not present, the sin is venial and not mortal. For example, if you stole a dollar from me, you would not be guilty of a mortal sin. Now, if you stole a dollar from a hungry person on the street, it’s probably mortal sin. Another example: if you have developed a habit of cursing, the habit compromises your freedom, and your sin is probably venial rather than mortal.

Bear in mind that some sins are so horrific that there would be no chance of them ever being a venial sin. Murder, for instance. Also, some acts are always evil, no matter the circumstances. A penitent could not say “Oh, I did not know that blasphemy was a mortal sin”. When you examine your conscience before youR next confession, I hope this will help you discern whether your sins are mortal or venial.