Posted on 04/29/2013 7:35:05 PM PDT by Salvation
Lesson 32 from the Baltimore Cathechism
Before entering the confessional, we should prepare ourselves for a good confession by taking sufficient time not only to examine our conscience but, especially, to excite in our hearts sincere sorrow for our sins and a firm purpose not to commit them again.
We should begin our confession in this manner: Entering the confessional, we kneel, and making the sign of the cross we say to the priest: "Bless me, Father, for I have sinned"; and then we tell how long it has been since our last confession.
After telling the time of our last confession, if we have committed any mortal sins since that time we must confess them, and also any that we have forgotten in previous confessions, telling the nature and number of each; we may also confess any venial sins we wish to mention.
If we cannot remember the exact number of our mortal sins, we should tell the number as nearly as possible, or say how often we have committed the sins in a day, a week, a month, or a year.
When we have committed no mortal sin since our last confession, we should confess our venial sins or some sin told in a previous confession, for which we are again sorry, in order that the priest may give us absolution.
Remember not the sins of my youth nor my offenses. According to thy mercy remember thou me, for thy goodness' sake. (Psalm 24:7)
We should end our confession by saying: "I am sorry for these and all the sins of my past life, especially for ..."; and then it is well to tell one or several of the sins which we have previously confessed and for which we are particularly sorry.
After confessing our sins, we should answer truthfully any question the priest asks, seek advice if we feel that we need any, listen carefully to the spiritual instruction and counsel of the priest, and accept the penance he gives us.
When the priest is giving us absolution, we should say from our heart the act of contrition in a tone to be heard by him.
After leaving the confessional we should return thanks to God for the sacrament we have received, beg Our Lord to supply for the imperfections of our confession, and promptly and devoutly perform our penance.
The Baltimore Catechism: Part Three: The Sacraments and Prayer, Contrition
The Baltimore Catechism: Part Three: The Sacraments and Prayer, Penance
The Baltimore Catechism: Part Three: The Sacraments and Prayer, Holy Communion
The Baltimore Catechism: Part Three: The Sacraments and Prayer, The Sacrifice of the Mass
The Baltimore Catechism: Part Three: The Sacraments and Prayer, The Holy Eucharist
The Baltimore Catechism: Part Three: The Sacraments and Prayer, Confirmation
The Baltimore Catechism: Part Three: The Sacraments and Prayer, Baptism
The Baltimore Catechism: Part Three: The Sacraments and Prayer, The Sacraments
The Baltimore Catechism: Part Two: The Commandments, The Commandments of the Church;The Third, Fourth, Fifth, and Sixth Commandments of the Church
The Baltimore Catechism: Part Two: The Commandments, The Commandments of the Church; First and Second Commandments of the Church
The Baltimore Catechism:Part Two: The Commandments, The Seventh, Eighth, Ninth, and Tenth Commandments of God
The Baltimore Catechism: Part Two: The Commandments, The Fourth, Fifth, and Sixth Commandments of God
The Baltimore Catechism: Part Two: The Commandments, The Second and Third Commandments of God
The Baltimore Catechism: Part Two: The Commandments, Honoring the Saints, Relics, and Images
The Baltimore Catechism: Part Two: The Commandments, The First Commandment of God
The Baltimore Catechism: Part Two: The Commandments, The Two Great Commandments
The Baltimore Catechism: Part One: The Creed, The Resurrection and Life Everlasting
The Baltimore Catechism: Part One: The Creed, The Communion of Saints and the Forgiveness of Sins
The Baltimore Catechism: Part One: The Creed, The Marks and Attributes of the Church
The Baltimore Catechism: Part One: The Creed, The Catholic Church
The Baltimore Catechism: Part One: The Creed, The Virtues and the Gifts of the Holy Ghost
The Baltimore Catehcism: Part One: The Creed, The Holy Ghost and Grace
The Baltimore Catechism: Part One: The Creed, The Redemption
The Baltimore Catechism: Part One: The Creed, The Incarnation
The Baltimore Catechism: Part One: The Creed, Actual Sin
The Baltimore Catechism: Part One: The Creed, The Creation and the Fall of Man
The Baltimore Catechism: Part One: The Creed, Creation and the Angels
The Baltimore Catechism: Part One: The Creed, The Unity and Trinity of God
The Baltimore Catechism: Part One: The Creed, God and His Perfections
The Baltimore Catechism: Part One: The Creed, The Purpose of Man's Existence
Baltimore Catechism Ping for Lent and Eastertide!
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