Part 111, Chapter V: Prudence of the Confessor

Prudence of the Confessor

Besidess ZEAL, science and charity, prudence is also required, for with out it you will encounter many pitfalls and cause grievous harm to your penitents. Study, therefore, the following rules that should carefully be observed in the confessional.

Examine the penitent according to age, sex and condition. Be careful not to arouse wrong thoughts o r to suggest unknown sins. Do not interrupt him during his confession, but wait until he has finished. Treat each penitent individually. For example, if you notice that a person seems to be ashamed to confess his sins, encourage him by reminding him that priests are not angels but men who. being human themselves, understand the faults and frailties of others. Remind him, too, that although it is human to fall into sin, i t would he positively diabolical to remain in that state; that whatever is revealed in the confessional becomes a really sacred trust because of the seal of confession. Recall to his mind the fact that God commands us to confess our sins to priests and that we should do so for love of Him and in honor of the shame which the God-man bore on the Cross because of our iniquities. It is far better to experience a little shame i n confessing a sin to another man than to have it revealed before all the angels and men on the Day of judgment.

With a bold or flippant person, however, adopt the opposite course. Remind him that he is actually kneeling at the feet of Christ, the Supreme judge, as represented in the person of the priest; that he is not confessing his sins to a mere man, but to God whose place the priest occupies. Induce him to think of himself as a criminal who has merited punishment by his evil doing. With patience seek to have him

understand that his soul's salvation is at stake, impressing upon him the gravity of making a bad confession. Point out to him that at the hour of death he will have to render a strict accounting to God for such a terrible sin.

Use great discretion regarding the Sixth Commandment. Pray to the Holy Ghost for wisdom so as not to ask too much or too little. Inquire cautiously concerning the sins confessed, but be careful not to destroy innocence or to disedify.

Likewise, approach the subject of restitution with great care, being mindful of the problems involved. This applies also to the breaking of sinful associations and the avoidance of the occasions of sin. I f it is obvious that the penitent did certain things in good faith or invincible ignorance, use extreme tact i n enlightening his mind.

Suggest remedies suitable to each particular soul. Give a penance which will be at once salutary and easy for the penitent. This requires prudence so that the penance imposed may not be an impossible task. Be lenient rather than harsh in this matter. In refusing or deferring absolution, be particularly careful to act in such a way that you will not attract the attention of persons near the confessional.

The confessor should imitate the wisdom of the serpent and safeguard his own soul lest in helping others he himself be lost. In this regard, four things are suggested.

First, learn to humble yourself by the knowledge of your own unworthiness and sinfulness, seeing your own image in the crime of your penitents, always being fearful that you, too, may fall unless sustained by divine grace.

Secondly, put into practice the injunction of Sacred Scripture: "Let your modesty be known to all men" (Phil. 4, 5), practising mortification of the eyes, giving an example of true priestly deportment at all times when administering the Sacrament of Penance. If you are careful to observe exterior modesty, God will protect you so that your in.terior life will not be destroyed and the beauty of your soul will not be contaminated. Yet, this can be done only by special grace from God, which will always be given to those who seek it with humility.

Thirdly, have a great horror of anything contrary to holy purity, observing the following seven recommendations: 1. In treating of the

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Sixth Commandment, renounce everything that is contrary to the spirit of purity, begging God for an increase of his virtue He loves so much. 2. Ask nothing out of mere curiosity. 3. Concerning sins against purity, question the penitent only when necessary. 4. In the confessional, avoid anything approaching familiarity with those of the opposite sex. 5. Keep the eyes modestly cast down. 6. Close the heart and mind against every human affection. 7. If you should transgress in any of these matters, make a profound act of humility, and, correcting the fault, beg God's grace for the future and implore the assistance of our Blessed Lady to obtain it.

Fourthly, to preserve your own soul while working for the salvation of others, cultivate constantly the spirit of piety. The following chapter will treat of this important qualification. 154-