Venial Sin: What Is It?-- or mortal sin is what again

Venial Sin: What Is It?

How Much Attention Does It Deserve?

. Mike Van Sloun

Venial Sin

. Venial sin is also known as less serious sin, lesser sin, smaller sin, pardonable

sin, excusable sin, or forgivable sin. The word “venial” is derived from the Latin

word

venia which means “grace,” the grace of mercy and pardon, forgiveness and a

new beginning.

Sin

. Sin is an off ense against God and neighbor; it is a transgression against the Mosaic

Law or Jesus’ gospel Law of Love; it is the choice to live in the darkness rather than

the light; to live according to fl esh rather than the Spirit; to act against love, joy, peace,

patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Gal 5:22,23).

Sin varies in the degree of severity: grave sins are mortal, less serious sins are venial.

Venial vs. Mortal Sin

. Venial sin is a degree below mortal sin. Mortal sin is also known

as grave, grievous, or serious sin. It is derived from the Latin words mors or morte which

mean “death,” death to the soul and one’s relationship with God and neighbor, and unforgiven,

damnation or eternal death. There are three criteria for a mortal sin: “a sin

whose object is grave matter which is also committed with full knowledge and deliberate

consent” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, No. 1857). Any sin that is not grave matter,

is not committed with full knowledge, or lacks deliberate consent is venial.

Not Mortal but Bad

. If mortal sin is death to the spiritual life, a venial sin is a wound or an

injury; and while it may not be lethal, it causes spiritual damage and pain. The harm might

be extensive, moderate, or minimal, but no matter how much damage is done, it is bad.

A Major Conversion Campaign

. When Jesus announced the Reign of God, his fi rst

words of instruction were, “Repent, and believe in the gospel” (Mk 1:15). To repent is

to turn away from all sin, mortal and venial. Hopefully most Christians are free of mortal

sin most of the time, and aware that all Christians are guilty of some sin nearly all of

the time, when Jesus says, “Repent,” he is asking us to examine our day-to-day lives and

to eliminate all of the big, medium, and small sins that we commit either habitually,

regularly, occasionally, or even rarely. If we wish to grow in holiness as Jesus asks, we

need to be on an all-out campaign to reduce the size and frequency of the venial sins

that we commit.

Forgiveness of Venial Sins

. All sins deserve attention because no sin is unimportant

in God’s eyes. The sacramental forgiveness of venial sins is available through the sacraments

of Baptism and Anointing, the reception of the Eucharist, and absolution in the

Sacrament of Reconciliation.

Sacramental Absolution

. It is only mandatory to bring mortal sins to Confession for

sacramental absolution, and within one year, but it is highly recommended to bring venial

sins because it is such a powerful way to address the sins that we most persistently

commit and to receive God’s healing grace where it is greatly needed.