Prayer.
Prayer is a devout raising of the soul to God to worship Him, to give thanks for the benefits received, to ask Him for the forgiveness of sins, and for other things necessary or useful either for ourselves or for others. We need to pray because it is God’s will and also because the help we constantly need is generally granted by God only to those who ask for it. There are two kinds of prayer: the first is internal prayer, which is done in thought; it consists in a person conversing with God in their thoughts and heart and reflecting on eternal truths. The second kind of prayer is vocal prayer, which is done in words; it consists in a person pronouncing the words of prayer with inner attention and a devout heart.
On the Sacrament of Penance.
413. What is the Sacrament of Penance?
The Sacrament of Penance is instituted by Jesus Christ for the reconciliation of the faithful with God, should they fall into sin after Baptism.
414. When did Jesus Christ institute this sacrament?
Jesus Christ instituted this sacrament primarily when, after His Resurrection, He breathed on His disciples gathered in one place and said to them: "Receive the Holy Spirit; if you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained."
415. In what manner did Jesus Christ institute this sacrament?
Jesus Christ instituted this sacrament as a tribunal in which the confessor acts as the judge; the penitent sinner is both the accuser and the witness; and the object of judgment is sins committed after Baptism, which the penitent confesses.
416. Who is the rightful minister of the Sacrament of Penance?
The rightful minister of the Sacrament of Penance is a priest who is duly authorized to hear confessions. Any faithful individual can confess their sins to any properly authorized priest, regardless of his rite.
417. What are the parts of this sacrament?
This sacrament consists of two parts: the acts of the penitent—namely contrition, confession, and satisfaction—and absolution given by the authorized priest. The acts of the penitent constitute the matter of the sacrament, while absolution is its form.
418. How do the three acts of the penitent encompass both an examination of conscience and a firm purpose of amendment?
The three acts of the penitent inherently include an examination of conscience and a firm purpose of amendment, as all the acts must be preceded by an examination of conscience, and contrition for sins cannot exist without a resolution to amend one’s life.
419. Which sins constitute the necessary matter for this sacrament?
The necessary matter for this sacrament consists of mortal sins committed after Baptism that have never been directly absolved through the power of the keys.
420. Why are these sins called the necessary matter of this sacrament?
These sins are called the necessary matter of this sacrament because there is a strict obligation to confess them.
421. Which sins constitute the optional and sufficient matter for this sacrament?
The optional and sufficient matter for this sacrament includes sins committed after Baptism, whether venial or mortal, that the penitent has already confessed and been absolved of through sacramental absolution.
422. Why are these sins called the optional and sufficient matter of this sacrament?
These sins are called the optional and sufficient matter of this sacrament because, although it is not obligatory to confess them, it is beneficial and commendable to do so.
On the Examination of Conscience.
423. What should a penitent do before approaching the tribunal of sacramental penance?
Before approaching the tribunal of sacramental penance, a penitent should perform an examination of conscience.
424. What is an examination of conscience?
An examination of conscience is a thorough review of the sins committed since the last good confession.
425. How is an examination of conscience conducted?
An examination of conscience is conducted by invoking God’s assistance and then carefully recalling the sins committed in thought, word, deed, or omission against God’s commandments, the precepts of the Church, and the duties of one’s state in life.
426. What should one consider during the examination of conscience?
During the examination of conscience, one should consider the number and type of sins, as well as their circumstances that change the nature of the sin.
427. Which circumstances altering the nature of sin must necessarily be confessed?
Circumstances that alter the nature of the sin and must be confessed include those that make a venial sin mortal (e.g., a lie causing significant harm) or that multiply the gravity of the sin (e.g., theft of a sacred object or theft committed in a sacred place).
On Contrition and a Firm Purpose of Amendment.
428. What is contrition for sins?
Contrition for sins is sorrow of the soul and hatred for the sins committed, accompanied by a firm resolve not to sin again.
429. What is a firm purpose of amendment?
A firm purpose of amendment is the sincere determination not to commit sin again and to avoid, as far as possible, the occasions of sin.
430. What qualities must contrition for sins have?
Contrition for sins must be interior, supernatural, supreme, and universal.
431. What is interior contrition?
Interior contrition arises not merely from words but from the depths of the heart.
432. What is supernatural contrition?
Supernatural contrition is contrition that arises under the influence of grace from motives rooted not in human reasoning but in faith.
433. What is supreme contrition?
Supreme contrition is contrition that detests sin more than anything else.
434. What is universal contrition?
Universal contrition extends to all sins committed after Baptism that have not yet been directly absolved through the power of the keys.
435. What should be done if the penitent has only venial sins or mortal sins already directly absolved?
If the penitent has only venial sins or mortal sins already directly absolved, it suffices and is required to make an act of contrition for at least one of these sins.
436. How many kinds of contrition for sins are there?
Contrition for sins can be either perfect, called attrition, or less perfect.
437. What is perfect contrition?
Perfect contrition is sorrow for sins and hatred for them out of love for God, who is the highest good and most worthy of love.
438. What is the effect of perfect contrition?
Perfect contrition immediately remits sins and reconciles one with God, even outside the sacrament of penance, though not without a desire for the sacrament.
439. What is less perfect contrition?
Less perfect contrition is sorrow for sins and supernatural hatred for them, typically arising from considerations of the sin’s ugliness or fear of hell and punishment.
440. What level of contrition suffices for the valid reception of the Sacrament of Penance?
For the valid reception of the Sacrament of Penance, less perfect contrition suffices, though perfect contrition is preferable.
441. What sin does one commit by knowingly approaching the Sacrament of Penance without any contrition for sins?
One who knowingly approaches the Sacrament of Penance without any contrition for sins not only fails to obtain absolution but also commits the grave sin of sacrilege.
On Confession.
442. What is confession?
Confession is the act of confessing one’s sins to a priest authorized to hear confessions, in order to receive absolution.
443. Why did Jesus Christ establish confession as the means of obtaining forgiveness of sins?
Jesus Christ established confession as the means of obtaining forgiveness of sins so that the sinner might humble themselves and reveal their sinful deeds and needs before the priest, who acts as a judge and a healer. This is to receive appropriate penance and listen to suitable advice.
444. What is required for confession to be valid in the sacrament of penance?
For confession to be valid in the sacrament of penance, it must be conducted verbally or at least in a manner that suffices for words, and it must be complete.
445. When is confession considered complete?
Confession is complete when the penitent confesses all mortal sins that have not been directly absolved, which they recall after a thorough examination of conscience. The confession should include the number, type, and circumstances that change the nature of the sin.
446. What should someone do if they cannot remember how many times they committed a mortal sin?
If someone cannot remember the exact number of mortal sins committed, they should give an approximate number, using expressions like "more or less" or "about."
447. What should be done if someone, through no fault of their own, omits a mortal sin during confession?
If someone omits a mortal sin during confession through no fault of their own, the sacrament is still valid, and the sin is indirectly forgiven. However, the penitent must confess the omitted sin at their next confession upon remembering it.
448. What sin does a person commit by willfully concealing a mortal sin during confession?
Anyone who willfully conceals a mortal sin during confession not only fails to benefit from the confession but also commits the grave sin of sacrilege.
449. What must be done by someone who has willfully concealed a mortal sin during confession or confessed without true contrition?
A person who has willfully concealed a mortal sin during confession or confessed without true contrition must confess how many confessions were invalid, the number of sacrilegious communions received, repeat all concealed mortal sins, and confess any other mortal sins they may have committed afterward.
450. What additional qualities should confession have for the proper reception of the sacrament of penance?
For the proper reception of the sacrament of penance, confession should also be devout and humble. The penitent should confess their sins briefly and clearly, with humility, simplicity, and honesty, avoiding unnecessary words. They should not justify, diminish, or exaggerate their sins and should accept the confessor’s admonitions.
On Satisfaction.
451. What is satisfaction?
Satisfaction is the penance for sins confessed during confession, imposed by the confessor, which through the merits of Jesus Christ, applied by the sacramental judgment, has a special power to remit the temporal punishment due to sins.
452. Why does the confessor impose penance?
The confessor imposes a salutary and appropriate penance, guided by the spirit and prudence, according to the gravity of the sins and the capacity of the penitent. This penance serves not only to safeguard new life and assist human weaknesses but also as a punishment for past sins and a means of amendment.
453. When should the penitent fulfill the penance imposed by the confessor?
If the confessor has not specified a time for fulfilling the penance, the penitent should strive to complete the assigned penance as soon as possible.
454. What should a penitent do if they cannot fulfill the imposed penance or can do so only with great difficulty?
If a penitent cannot fulfill the imposed penance or can do so only with great difficulty, they should humbly inform the confessor and ask for a substitution.
