Salesian Literature

Chapter 19:  How to make a General Confession

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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.  But please do not let yourself be disturbed by any kind of anxiety.

 

The scorpion that stings us is poisonous when it does so.  But made into an oil it becomes a powerful remedy against its own sting.[1]  Sin is shameful only at the time we commit it.  Changed into confession and repentance, it is honourable and brings salvation.

 

Contrition and confession are so beautiful and of such fragrance, that they remove the ugliness of sin and dispel its stench.  Simon the leper considered that Magdalene was a sinner.  But our Lord denied and spoke only of the perfumes she poured out and of the greatness of her charity (Lk. 7:36-50).[2] 

 

If we have true humility, Philothea, our sins will displease us very greatly since God is offended by them.  But the confession of our sins will be pleasant and delightful because by it God is honoured.  To explain clearly to the doctor, what illness is troubling us, brings us some sort of relief.

 

When you are in the presence of your spiritual father, imagine you are on Mount Calvary, at the feet of Jesus Christ crucified, whose precious blood flows from every side to wash away your misdeeds.  Though it is not the actual blood of the Saviour, nevertheless, it is the merit of his blood poured out which showers down in abundance on the penitents around the confessionals.

 

Hence, open wide your heart to make all the sins go out from it by confession.  To the extent that they go out of your heart, to that extent will the precious merit of the dive Passion enter in to fill it with blessings.

 

Disclose everything clearly, with simplicity and sincerity.  Satisfy your conscience fully in this, once and for all.  Having done so, listen to the advice and direction of God’s minister, saying in your heart: Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening (1 Sam. 3:9).  Yes, Philothea, it is to God that you listen, since he has said to his representative:  whoever listens to you, listens to me (Lk. 10:16).

 

After this, take in hand the solemn resolution given in the next chapter. It serves as the conclusion to all your contrition.  You should have previously meditated on it after reflection.  Read it attentively and with as much earnestness as possible.

 

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[1] Pietro Mattioli (1500-1577), Italian Physician and botanist.

[2]  Magdalen: see footnote Chapter  8, First Part.

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