What is a venial sin?
A. The Catechism of the Catholic Church defines a venial sin as follows: “Venial sin allows charity to subsist, even though it offends and wounds it.” (To “subsist” means to “exist.”) (C.C.C. # 1855) “Venial sin constitutes a moral disorder that is reparable by charity, which it allows to subsist in us.” (C.C.C. # 1875) “One commits venial sin when, in a less serious matter, he does not observe the standard prescribed by the moral law,or when he disobeys the moral law in a grave matter, but without full knowledge or without complete consent.” (C.C.C. #. 1862) “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 set us in direct opposition to the will and friendship of God; it does not break the covenant with God. W
