How can one enter seriously on the road to holiness without considering one's venial sins, which are impediments to perfection? How can one enter into purgation without admitting that these supposedly small sins do not affect one's discernment?
The will is weakened by venial sins. And, we cannot become saints if we tolerate these sins, as these are huge stumbling blocks for the use of the virtues and gifts of the Spirit.
Venial sins form walls and allow for the continuation of egotism. Venial sins reveal areas of self-love which must end before Christ allows us to experience the fullness of His love. Otherwise, we would misuse this love and merely feed ourselves, instead of the Church.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church states this:
CCC
1863 Venial sin weakens charity; it manifests a disordered affection for created goods; it impedes the soul's progress in the exercise of the virtues and the practice of the moral good; it merits temporal punishment. Deliberate and unrepented venial sin disposes us little by little to commit mortal sin. However venial sin does not break the covenant with God. With God's grace it is humanly reparable. "Venial sin does not deprive the sinner of sanctifying grace, friendship with God, charity, and consequently eternal happiness."134 |