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Hi! I was told by a Byzantine Catholic that in the Byzantine Churches there is no Sunday "obligation" and that it is not considered a mortal sin to miss Sunday Mass [Liturgy]. Also, the same person told me that when confessing in the Eastern rite, one need not actually say each sin out loud if one doesn't want to, as long as one bears the sorrow and repentance in one's heart and mind. I am just wondering if this is correct?

Thanks. Tessa

Dear Tessa,

That is really a caricature of confession in our tradition!

We need to say our serious sins out loud and to miss Sunday Divine Liturgy out of laziness and no good reason is most certainly a sin.

St Basil the Great mentions excommunication in his canons for any who misses Divine Liturgy in this way three Sundays in a row . . .

As that is a liberal priest, I would recommend you going to another parish.

Alex

Tessa, there are often language differences between east and west that are confusing. While easterners don't usually speak of mortal sin, venial sins, etc. they do know that they have a responsibility to be at Divine Liturgy whenever possible. It is not so much that there is a penalty for not being there as there is a need to be there, for the good of one's soul. I guess you could say that puts a more positive spin on the need to faithfully attend.

As to confession, spiritual advisors will differ on the need to be explicit about sins. Does giving a quantity of a given sin really add to its significance when it comes to confession? It is not necessarily required that a parishioner give a detailed, explicit account (It can derail the purpose of confession itself, if it becomes too detailed.) or give quantities when confessing. The priest is there as God's representative, to help in your reconciliation by assisting you in the receiving of God's grace. Father Thomas Hopko (OCA) put out a booklet on confession that basically recommends turning the Beatitudes into questions for use in a good examination of conscience prior to confession. I think that you'll find that quantities seldom make a big difference. We are all works in progress- not perfect, but striving to do better.

I feared this would be taken the wrong way. No one wants to skip out n Liturgy/Mass! The person who told me this was not a priest, but a regular parishioner. I think he was trying to demonstrate the differences in approach to the faith between Eastern and Western rites i.e. that the Roman church is a bit legalistic while the Eastern church more understanding of human frailty. I know no one would want to miss Divine Liturgy/Mass purposely, but I understood him to mean that you don't have to confess missing Mass, if you do miss it for other than serious reasons, before receiving Communion, as you do in the Roman rite.

As for confession, I think he meant that sometimes people are embarrassed to blurt out some sins, especially in front of a well known priest in the face-to-face format of the Eastern rite, and that you don't have to say it out loud in that case.

Hmm - I didn't want to come into this really - Im too new myself.

However to me the difference between confessing Latin and Eastern is chalk and cheese. In the Latin Church even avoiding the shopping list type [ Laundry list ?] it still tends to be number and kind - though more nowadays as generalisations.

I have found it actually easier in the East - I mention areas which can include missing prayers , Services etc . My SF will decide what is serious [ oh yes everything is serious] and suggest how to overcome it - but somehow I seem to receive more healing.

When standing before Christ as I do , at the Iconostasis , I am not aware of the Priest - I am telling Christ Himself of my perceived failings - it's incredibly humbling ,

Our Lady's Slave, that is the right attitude, I know. What is an SF?

Also, at the risk of posting severely off-topic [very briefly]: I see you are from Scotland -- I understood Scotland to be a separate sovereign independent nation, but at the BBC website it falls under the UK, with it's capital city being listed as London. Why?

Dear Tessa,

I think Scotland is in a similar situation as the Byzantine Catholics - the Scots see themselves as a sovereign nation in communion with England, but England sees "Britain" as one big nation governed from London.

Alex

That's a terrific example Alex! Thank you.

Dear Tessa,

God Save The Queen (nevertheless)!

Alex

Amen to that Alex

So....back to the matter at hand...if I miss Liturgy because I overslept [for e.g.] do I confess it in the Eastern Rite before I can receive Communion?

Sorry Tessa forgot to reply to

An SF is a Spiritual Father someone who guides you on your journey - helps you understand things , walks with you etc.

He is not , using the Latin terminology ,a Spiritual Director - he's far more than that as he really gets to know you , and your personal circumstances.

He need not be your Confessor - though many are.

A good SF is more than worth his weight in gold - he is a treasure

As to your other question which frankly I was hoping our clergy would answer :p

Missing Liturgy for something like sleeping in - yes do Confess it - it is wrong - but get to Confession as soon as you can but if you cannot manage that before the next DL - well since it was not a deliberate act I personally do not see a reason to forgo Receiving the Holy Gifts . After all accidents do happen

now to put my asbestos suit on and put the shield over my head to save me from the bricks that will surely come my way

Anhelyna

Where are all our clergy ? Never around when you need 'em

Thank you Our Lady's Slave.

God bless you!

Dear Alex,
"God save the Queen"? But the King is not married!

Incognitus

Tessa,
It is also important to find the underlying cause to why you are sinning. For instance if you just confess each time that you yell at your family that isn't getting to the real cause.
You would look inwards and find out WHY you were becoming angry. Once you find out why you are angry that will help you not yell at your family, make you a better person, and find ways to lessen your anger. See what I mean?
I'm not saying you are mad, I am using an example.

Pyrohy, how did you know I was yelling at my family?

[just kidding! ]

Yes I understand what you mean. Actually I am often troubled by the lack of teaching on how to grow as a Christian. Things always seem to stay at the basic level: don't kill, don't steal, etc. etc. in homilies. I like to read Thomas a Kempis's Imitation of Christ, because it is the only book I know that provides instruction on the daily-life issues, and growing in Christ. I know it is geared toward the monastic life, but still I think it's very helpful.

Perhaps I can simplify matters by broadening my "confession" question to be:

Do the Byzantine Catholics follow the Catechism of the [Roman] Catholic Church?