"As soon as possible"--what does the CCC mean exactly?

timeandeternity · #1 Apr 25, '10, 6:28 pm

CCC1452 says that perfect contrition needs to include the intent to go to confession "as soon as possible" in order for the contrition to obtain forgiveness of mortal sins. Does this mean that after such a sin, I ought to call and make an appointment straightaway, or grab the priest after Mass, or that it's adequate if I go to the next regularly scheduled confession time? I was just at Mass this evening, and thought of asking the priest to hear my confession afterward, but decided to just go tomorrow instead--in black and white, I put off going to confession. If it had been unreasonable to ask him that favor, I wouldn't be worrying, but it would definitely have been within reason to ask him to take five minutes to hear my confession.
I really need some help.

**Fr. Vincent Serpa** · #2 Apr 25, '10, 9:20 pm

Hi,

The tricky thing about making a perfect act of contrition is that one never knows if it is perfect. So “as soon as possible” means as soon as possible. Yes, it means making an appointment right away or asking the priest when you see him to hear your Confession. I wouldn’t receive Holy Communion until I KNEW that I was in the state of grace. Otherwise, I could be offending our Lord with another mortal sin. Nothing is worth such an offense against Him who loves us so much.

Fr. Vincent Serpa, O.P.