Further Reference to: Sacraments | Eucharist

General Confession

  Introduction to the Devout Life, Part I, Chapter 19

These are the meditations, my dear Philothea, needed for our purpose.  Having made them, go with courage, in a spirit of humility, to make your general confession.

(Read further in Introduction to the Devout Life, Part I, Chapter 19)

Resolutions

  Introduction to the Devout Life, Part I, Chapter 20

I, the undersigned, placing myself confidently in the presence of the eternal God, and of the whole court of heaven.

(Read further in Introduction to the Devout Life, Part I, Chapter 20)

  Introduction to the Devout Life, Part I, Chapter 21

After you have made the firm resolution, be attentive and open the ears of your heart.

(Read further in Introduction to the Devout Life, Part I, Chapter 21)

Regular Confessions

  Introduction to the Devout Life, Part II, Chapter 19

Our Saviour has entrusted to his Church the Sacrament of Penance and Confession.

(Read further in Introduction to the Devout Life, Part II, Chapter 19)

A great respect for our confessors

  Spiritual Conferences, Vol. 1, Conference 2

We are greatly obliged to honour the priesthood, and so I say that you should show a great respect towards your confessors when you go for confession.  You should consider them as Angels whom God sends us to reconcile with His goodness.

(Read further in Spiritual Conferences, Trans. by Fr. Ivo Carneiro)

Answering questions in confession

  Spiritual Conferences, Vol. 1, Conference 2

In case you hesitate to say something in reply to what they ask, for fear of feeling ashamed as when asked if you have any temptations, and you feel uneasy to speak about these things, in case they want all the details, you can make a mental reservation and say, no, meaning: “I have nothing to tell you.”

(Read further in Spiritual Conferences, Trans. by Fr. Ivo Carneiro)

Receiving advice from confessors

  Spiritual Conferences, Vol. 1, Conference 2

Accept their counsels as simple guidance, and do not take the trouble to practise them, if, as I have said, they go against your Rules.  But, apart from that, you have to respect all that is told to you in confession.

(Read further in Spiritual Conferences, Trans. by Fr. Ivo Carneiro)

Confessing what is matter for absolution

  Spiritual Conferences, Vol. 1, Conference 2

To be sinful, anger should be immoderate and lead us to uncontrolled behaviour.  You should not, then, accuse yourself of feelings of anger.

(Read further in Spiritual Conferences, Trans. by Fr. Ivo Carneiro)

Being truthful and charitable in confessing our sins

  Spiritual Conferences, Vol. 1, Conference 2

I would also like very much that you pay great attention to being truthful, simple and charitable whenever you make your confession.  I say this with a purpose.  To be truthful and simple is one and the same thing.

(Read further in Spiritual Conferences, Trans. by Fr. Ivo Carneiro)

Avoid useless accusations in confessions

  Spiritual Conferences, Vol. 1, Conference 2

You should not make useless accusations in your confession. In case you have had thoughts of dissatisfaction, of vanity, even more evil ones, mention clearly whether you entertained them deliberately; similarly, if you have had voluntary distractions; or if you were distracted during Office because you did not prepare yourself properly at the beginning.

(Read further in Spiritual Conferences, Trans. by Fr. Ivo Carneiro)

How to receive fruitfully the sacraments of penance and the Eucharist

  Spiritual Conferences, Vol. 2, Conference 1

The Sacraments are, so to say, the channels through which God comes down into us, just as through prayer we throw ourselves into God.  In fact, prayer is nothing else than an uplifting of our spirit into God.  Each Sacrament has its own effect, even though all of them have but one aim and purpose, which is to unite us to God.

(Read further in Spiritual Conferences, Trans. by Fr. Ivo Carneiro)

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