Lesson 27: On Confession, and on Indulgence

1. What is the best method to prepare for a good confession?

First: earnestly to beg of God the grace to make a good confession. — Secondly: to examine ourselves, carefully, on the commandments of God and of his church; on the seven deadly sins, and particularly on our predominant passions; and the duties of our stations in life: that we may know in what: and how often we have sinned by thought, word, deed, or omission. Thirdly: to make acts of faith, hope, and charity. — And fourthly: to excite ourselves to sincere contrition for our sins,

2. What is contrition 1

A hearty sorrow and detestation of sin, for having offended God, with a firm resolution of sinning no more.

3. How may we excite ourselves to contrition?

By the following motives or considerations: the fear of hell; the loss of heaven; our ingratitude in offending God, who is so good to us; and the injury our sins do to God, who is infinitely good in himself.

4. Do you recommend any other motive to excite sorrow for our sins 1

Yes; to consider that the son of God died for our sins: and that we crucify him again as often as we offend him. Heb. vi. 6.

5. Which of these motives is the best to excite contrition?

To be sorry for our sins because they are offensive to God, who is infinitely good and perfect in himself

6. What should we do at confession?

We should beg the priest's blessing • say the confiteor; accuse ourselves of our sins; listen attentively to his instructions: and renew our sorrow, when he gives absolution.

7. What do you think of those who conceal a mortal sin in confession %

They commit a most grievous sin by telling a lie to the Holy Ghost — and instead of obtaining pardon, they;n— r milcn. more the wrath of God. Acts. v.

8. What must persons do, who did not carefully examine their conscience; or who had not sincere sorrow for their sins; or who wilfully concealed a mortal sin in confession?

They must truly repent of all such bad and sacrilegious confessions; and make them all over again.

9. What is the surest sign that our confessions wer good; and that we had a sincere sorrow for our sins?

The amendment of our lives.

10. What should we do after confession?

We should return God thanks; and diligently perform the penance enjoined by the confessor.

11. What do you mean by the penance enjoined by the confessor?

The prayers and other good works which he enjoins on penitents, in satisfaction for their sins.

12. Will the penance, enjoined in confession, always satisfy for our sins?

No; but whatever else is wanting may be supplied by indulgences, and our own penitential endeavours.

13. What does the church teach concerning indulgences?

That Christ gave power to the church to grant indulgences; and that they are most useful to Christian people. Cone. Trid. xi. 25.

14. What is the use of an indulgence?

It releases from canonical penance, enjoined by the church on penitents, for certain sins.

15. Has an indulgence any other efFect?

It also remits the temporary punishments, with which God often visits our sins — and which must be suffered in this life, or the next; unless cancelled by indulgences, by act of penance, or other good works.

16. lias the church power to grant such indulgences?

Yes; Whatsoever, says Christ to St. Peter, thou ihalt loose upon e:trth, it shall be loosed also in heaven. Matt xvi. 19. 2 Cor. ii. 10.

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17. To whom does the church grant indulgences 1

To such only as are in the state of grace; and are sincerely desirous to amend their lives; and to satisfy God's justice by penitential works.

18. An indulgence is not then a pardon for sins to come nor license to commit sin?

No; nor can it remit past sin — for sin must be remitted by penance, as to the guilt of it, and the eternal punishment due to mortal sin, before an indulgence can be gained. 1 Cor. v. and 2 Cor. ii.

%). Why does the church grant indulgences?

A. To assist our weakness, and to supply our insufrt ciency in satisfying the Divine Justice for our transgress sions.

19. What conditions are generally necessary to gain indulgences?

A good confession and communion, and a faithful compliance with the other good works, which the church requires on such occasions.

20. What are the other good works, which the church usually prescribes, in order to gain indulgences %

Prayer, fast, and almsdeeds; which good works indulgences promote: and on this account also they are most useful to Christian people.