Salesian Literature

Salesian Views on

Charity  ::   Chastity  ::   Confession  ::   Confidence in God  ::   Contemplation  ::   

Conversation  ::   Cordiality

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

​

Confession

Related Topics: Sacraments | Eucharist

 

General Confession:

 

Introduction to the Devout Life, 1:19. 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. 

 

Resolutions:

 

Introduction to the Devout Life, 1:20. I, the undersigned, placing myself confidently in the presence of the eternal God, and of the whole court of heaven.

 

Introduction to the Devout Life, 1:21. After you have made the firm resolution, be attentive and open the ears of your heart. 

 

Regular Confessions:

 

Introduction to the Devout Life, 2:19. Our Saviour has entrusted to his Church the Sacrament of Penance and Confession. 

 

A great respect for our confessors

 

Spiritual Conferences, Vol.1, 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. 

 

Answering questions in confession

 

Spiritual Conferences, Vol.1, 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.” 

 

Receiving advice from confessors

 

Spiritual Conferences, Vol.1, 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. 

 

Confessing what is matter for absolution

 

Spiritual Conferences, Vol.1, 2. To be sinful, anger should be immoderate and lead us to uncontrolled behaviour.  You should not, then, accuse yourself of feelings of anger. 

 

Being truthful and charitable in confessing our sins

 

Spiritual Conferences, Vol.1, 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. 

 

Avoid useless accusations in confessions

 

Spiritual Conferences, Vol.1, 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. 

 

How to receive fruitfully the sacraments of penance and the Eucharist

 

Spiritual Conferences, Vol.2,1. 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. 

 

​

Back to Top

​