What Does “Venial sin” Mean in the Bible?
A light sin. It wounds our friendship with God but does not break it.
It can mean
- When it is venial: when the matter is light, or when it is serious but done without full knowledge or without full consent.
- What it does: it weakens our love for God and for others, but it does not take away God’s grace.
- How it is wiped away: the Eucharist stirs up love, and that love wipes away venial sins.
- Careful: serious sin is called “mortal.”
Today
Confessing venial sins is not required, but the Church strongly recommends it: it helps us grow.
Source: Catechism 1855, 1862, 1863, 1394 and 1458