venial sin

American  

noun

Roman Catholic Church.

1. a transgression against the law of God that does not deprive the soul of divine grace either because it is a minor offense or because it was committed without full understanding of its seriousness or without full consent of the will.

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venial sin British  

noun

1. Christianity a sin regarded as involving only a partial loss of grace Compare mortal sin

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Etymology

Origin of venial sin

Middle English word dating back to 1350–1400

Example Sentences

Venial sin is not disobedience, because it is not contrary to a precept, but beside it.

From Summa Theologica, Part II-II (Secunda Secundae) Translated by Fathers of the English Dominican Province by Thomas, Aquinas, Saint

Venial sin does not destroy the state of grace and consequently cannot augment or diminish grace.

From Grace, Actual and Habitual A Dogmatic Treatise by Preuss, Arthur

Venial sin is not contrary to this latter perfection, because it does not destroy the habit of charity, since it does not tend to a contrary object, but merely hinders the use of charity.

From Summa Theologica, Part II-II (Secunda Secundae) Translated by Fathers of the English Dominican Province by Thomas, Aquinas, Saint

Venial sin is not, strictly speaking, opposed to the commandment of love, since it does not destroy love.

From Moral Theology A Complete Course Based on St. Thomas Aquinas and the Best Modern Authorities by Callan, Charles Jerome