\//*< A* /tfsi a&'isA^S fo^/^SC/a* siM-z&es Session Booklet With prayers, directions, and an examination of conscience suitable for adults. ..especially converts. Aloysius J. Heeg, $. J. l3y and Aloysius J. Wilwerding, S. J. A Q^een’s'Work Pamphlet •A _ / Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2016 https://archive.org/details/adultsconfessionOOheeg AN ADULT’S Confession Booklet With prayers, directions, and an examination of conscience suitable for adults— especially converts By Aloysius J. Heeg, S.J. and Aloysius J. Wilwerding, S.J. THE QUEEN’S WORK 3115 South Grand Boulevard St. Louis 18, Missouri Imprimi potest: , Daniel H. Conway, S.J. Praep. Prov. Missourianae Nihil obstat : Rt. Rev. Wm. Fischer, S.T.D. Censor Librorum Imprimatur : +Joseph E. Ritter Archiepiscopus Sancti Ludovici Sancti Ludovici , die 5 Junii 1950 Second printing, September 1950 Any financial profit made by the Central Office of the Sodality of Our Lady will be used for the advancement of the Sodality Movement and the cause of Catholic Action. Copyright 1950 THE QUEEN’S WORK DesSfdled Foreword We cannot be really happy if we have sins on our soul. That is why Jesus said to His Apostles that first Easter Day, “Whose sins you shall forgive, they are forgiven them.” It was then that Jesus gave priests the power to take away our sins and make us really happy. Even if a sin is as big as it can be, the priest can take it away. Only we must be really sorry for it and tell it in confession. Use this little booklet when you go to confession. It will tell you how to pray, what to do, and what to say. A First Confession If YOU are a convert and want to make your first confession, follow the advice of the one who instructed you. He may have said to you: “All you need do is to think of your sins and be sorry for them. Then go into the confessional and say, ‘Father, I am a convert. This is my first confession. Will you please help me?’ ” The priest will be glad to help you. If you want, he will ask you the ordi- nary questions that will help you re- call your sins, and then all you will have to do is to answer them as well as you can. If you use this booklet, you may be able to make your confession without the priest’s having to help you. In this booklet you will find a list of questions to help you think of your sins. As soon as a question makes you think of a sin that you committed, see if you can tell that sin in just a few words and say about how many times you committed it. Most sins can be told in short sentences that begin with the word “I” and end with the word “times.” For example, “I told a little lie three times.” Between the “I” and the “times” are put the name of the sin and the number of times you committed it. 5 Do not worry if you cannot remem- ber everything. Strictly speaking, the only sins you are obliged to tell in confession are mortal sins. Although it is good to confess venial sins — and some people have only venial sins to confess — you are not obliged to con- fess them. Neither should you worry about the exact number of times you committed a sin. Just say “about” and state the number as well as you can. If the sin has been a sort of habit, you may give the number as about so many times a day, a week, or a month. Likewise it is good to know that we are not obliged to confess any sin if we doubt that we really committed it. Then, too, in subsequent confes- sions we are not obliged to confess any sin if we doubt that we confessed it before. When we try to make a good con- fession, God forgives all our sins, even those we forget to tell. If after con- fession we find that we forgot to tell even mortal sins, we may go to Holy Communion. All we need do is to tell those sins the next time we go to confession. In this booklet you may learn that certain things are sins which you did not know were sins. In that case just remember that if you did those things 6 without knowing that they were sins, they were not sins for you. But, of course, you may not do them again. The first confession a convert makes is always the hardest. He is making a confession of his whole past life and may not know just how to go about it. That is why it is good to say to the priest, “Father, I am a convert. This is my first confession.” That will make the priest more than willing to help you. Indeed, your first confession will be the hardest. But be assured of this : It will also be the most fruitful and the most comfort- ing. Your second and subsequent con- fessions will be very easy. You may be able to make them without any help whatever. However, if you have any difficulty, just remember the ex- pression: “Father, I am a convert. Will you please help me?” But what about a person who is, not a convert, but a Catholic who has been away from the sacraments for many years? What can he say? He can say, “Father, I am sorry, but it is a long time since I have been to confession. Will you please help me ?” And of course the priest will. Ordinarily this booklet should give you all the help you need. The sacra- 7 ment of penance should be to you what Christ meant it to be: a real source of happiness, a means to repair the past, and an aid to do better in the future. As a little child would put it: “In confession Jesus not only takes away our sins but helps us to be good.” 8 Frequent Confession In his encyclical on the Mystical Body of Christ, Pope Pius XII says: “We wish the pious practice of fre- quent confession to be earnestly ad- vocated. Not without the inspiration of the Holy Spirit was this practice introduced into the Church. By it gen- uine self - knowledge is increased, Christian humility grows, bad habits are corrected, spiritual neglect and tepidity are countered, the conscience is purified, the will strengthened, a salutary self-control is attained and grace is increased in virtue of the sac- rament itself/’ From this it is evident that fre- quent confession is recommended, not only to forgive sin, but also to prevent sin. To profit by frequent confession it is not enough for us to be fre- quently telling our sins. We must also be frequently working out plans to overcome them. It would be an en- tirely false idea of the sacrament of penance to look upon it as a mere device for registering our sins. We must be sorry for the sins we tell, and that sorrow must be accompanied by a sincere, practical resolution to avoid those sins in the future. Of course, when we go to confes- sion often, we do not always have to 9 use an examination of conscience as long as the one in this booklet. To recall any sins committed since our last confession, we may simply ask ourselves the following questions: Did I do anything wrong: by thinking or desiring (mind) ? by hearing (ears) ? by seeing or reading (eyes) ? by saying or eating or drinking (mouth) ? by doing or not doing (hands) ? by going or not going (feet) ? These simple questions can be re- called by remembering the six words : mind, ears, eyes, mouth, hands, and feet. They are the words suggested by the definition of sin as found in the catechism: “Sin is any willful thought, desire, word, action, or omis- sion forbidden by the law of God.” Every sin is an offense against God. How grateful, then, we should be that Christ gave us the sacrament of penance. It is a God-given means, not only to forgive sin, but also to pre- vent sin. 10 A Few Good Points to Remember Every sin has a NAME. Be sure to tell the NAME of the sin, and, if mortal, HOW MANY TIMES you committed it. Most sins can be told in short sen- tences that begin with the word “I” and end with the word “TIMES.” Like this: “I _ TIMES.” IMPORTANT A sin is MORTAL if all of the fol- lowing three conditions are present. If any one of the three is missing, then it is no MORTAL SIN. 1. It must be a BIG SIN (some- thing seriously wrong) . 2. We must KNOW that it is a big sin (sufficiently reflect that it is something seriously wrong). 3. We must REALLY WISH to commit the BIG SIN (fully con- sent to what is seriously wrong) . (If we are forced to steal, for example, or to eat meat on Fri- days, or if we are violently dragged into impurities, there is no sin.) u Prayer Before Confession Dear Jesus, I have sinned. But now I am sorry. I want to go to confession. I know that if I make a good confes- sion, you will take away my sins and help me to lead a better life. Jesus, please help me to make a good confession. Mary, my dear Moth- er, help me to make my soul pure and beautiful like yours. My Guardian Angel, pray for me. Prayer to the Holy Ghost Come, 0 Holy Ghost, help me: to know all my sins, to be heartily sorry for them, to resolve firmly to commit them no more, to confess them properly, and to accept the penance the priest gives me. 12 An Examination of Conscience Here are some questions to help me think of my sins. When I find a sin that I committed, I see if I can tell it in just a few words and say about how many times I committed it. In this examination of conscience: Venial sins are shown in small italic letters, like these: venial. Venial sins that may become mortal sins are shown in small black letters like these: venial or mortal. Mortal sins are shown in large let- ters like these: MORTAL. First Commandment Did I neglect prayer for a long time through laziness ? Was I willfully distracted during prayer ? Did I, when a Catholic, DENY that I was a Catholic? Did I, when a Catholic, TAKE PART IN NON-CATHOLIC SERVICES OR NON-CATHOLIC SUNDAY SCHOOL? Did I go to a fortuneteller or BE- LIEVE in him (or her) ? 13 Second Commandment Did I curse? Did I anger others to make them curse? Did I use God’s name in an improper manner? Third Commandment Did I MISS MASS ON SUNDAYS OR HOLYDAYS THROUGH MY OWN FAULT? Did I come late to Mass through my own fault? How late? Did I misbehave in church? Did I work on Sundays for a LONG TIME without necessity? Fourth Commandment Was I mean to my parents? Was I mean to my children? Did . I neglect my parents in their need? Slightly or SERIOUSLY? Did I neglect my duties to my child- ren? Slightly or SERIOUSLY? Did I make fun of old people? Did I disobey my legitimate super- iors? Did I fail in my obligations as a citi- zen? 14 Fifth Commandment Was I angry? Stubborn? Was I unkind or mean to others ? Did I look down on others (pride) ? Did I wish evil to others? Did I hate others? Did I try to “get even” with others (revenge) ? Did I fight or quarrel? Did I make others fight? Did I lead others to sin by my bad example? Did I get drunk? Did I KILL OR TRY TO KILL SOME- ONE? Did I TRY TO KILL MYSELF? Did I do any reckless driving? Sixth and Ninth Commandments DID I WILLINGLY TAKE PLEAS- URE IN USING IMPURE WORDS? DID I WILLINGLY TELL IMPURE STORIES AND TAKE PLEAS- URE IN THEM? DID I TAKE PLEASURE IN LIST- ENING TO IMPURE TALK? DID I TAKE PLEASURE IN SING- ING IMPURE SONGS? 15 DID I REALLY WANT TO LOOK AT IMPURE THINGS OR PIC- TURES? DID I WANT IMPURE THOUGHTS, AND DID I TAKE PLEASURE IN THEM? DID I TEACH OTHERS TO COMMIT IMPURE SINS? DID I TAKE PLEASURE IN TOUCHING MYSELF OR OTHERS IN AN IMPURE MAN- NER, OR LET OTHERS DO SO TO ME? DID I COMMIT AN IMPURE ACT? DID I ABUSE MY MARRIAGE RIGHTS? WAS I UNFAITHFUL TO MY SPOUSE? Did I go to bad places (places that lead me to sin) ? Did I go to bad movies? Did I read bad books or magazines? Did I go with bad companions? Seventh and Tenth Commandments Was I jealous or envious? Did I wish to get in a wrongful way what belonged to another ? Did I cheat? Did I steal anything? How much? What was it? 16 Did I help others to steal? Did I tell another to steal? Did I accept or offer bribes? Did I take or keep stolen goods given to me by others? Did I spoil another’s property? Did I fail to return valuable articles when found? Did I neglect to do the work for which I was paid? DID I NEGLECT TO PAY A LABOR- ER A LIVING WAGE? Eighth Commandment Did I say mean things about others in their absence (backbiting) ? Did I tell lies? Did these lies injure others (calum- ny)? Did I talk about the sins of another without necessity (detraction) ? Church Commandments DID I EAT MEAT ON FRIDAYS OR ON OTHER FORBIDDEN DAYS? (It is not a sin if we for- get that it is a forbidden day.) DID I FAST AS REQUIRED ON THE DAYS APPOINTED? (If in doubt, consult your confessor.) 17 WHEN IN MORTAL SIN, DID I FAIL TO GO TO CONFESSION AT LEAST ONCE A YEAR? DID I FAIL TO RECEIVE HOLY COMMUNION DURING THE EASTER TIME? DID I MAKE A BAD CONFESSION (deliberately conceal a mortal sin from the priest) ? (It is not a sin if we just forget it.) DID I RECEIVE HOLY COMMUN- ION WITHOUT FASTING? (Of course, it is not a sin if condi- tions are such that your confes- sor says you may receive with- out fasting.) DID I RECEIVE HOLY COMMUN- ION IN MORTAL SIN? Did I fail to contribute my proper share to the support of the Church? DID I (when a Catholic) GET MAR- RIED BY SOMEONE NOT A PRIEST? DID I GET A CIVIL DIVORCE WITHOUT MY BISHOP’S PER- MISSION? DID I MARRY A DIVORCED PER- SON? DID I JOIN SECRET SOCIETIES (Freemasons, etc.) ? 18 Now Ask Yourself Is there anything else that I did that was a sin? Is there anything that worries me? Is there anything I should ask the priest about? Do I really mean to keep from sin? Have I a plan for avoiding sin in the future— especially the biggest sin in this confession? 19 To Make a Good Act of Contrition Dear Jesus, I know that one mortal sin is enough to keep my soul from heaven; one mortal sin is enough to send my soul to hell; and one sin, mortal or venial, offends you, who died for me on the cross. Dear Jesus, I now seem to see you hanging on the cross. I know my sins have put you there. I am really sorry and do not want to sin again. Please listen to me as I slowly say my act of contrition. 0 my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended thee, and I detest all my sins, because of thy punishments, but most of all because they offend thee, my God, who art all-good and deserving of all my love. I firmly re- solve, with the help of thy grace, to sin no more and to avoid the near occasions of sin. 20 The Things to Say in the Confessional Bless me, Father, for I have sinned. It has been (1) since my last confession. I (2) times. I am sorry for these and for all the sins of my past life, especially for (3) 0 my God, I am heartily sorry for (4) . Thank you, Father. (5) (1) There I say how long it has been since my last confession ; like this : “one week.” (2) There I tell my sins and how many times I committed them. (3) There I name a past sin for which I am very sorry; like this: “stealing.” (4) I say the whole act of contri- tion after the priest tells me my penance. (5) I say, “Thank you, Father,” just before I leave. 21 Prayers After Confession Dear Jesus, I want to do something to make up for my sins. Please help me to say my penance well. I am going to say it right away. (1) . I thank you, Jesus, for having taken away my sins. Dear Holy Ghost, dear Mother of God, dear Guardian Angel, I thank you all for helping me to make a good confession. I want to do what is right from now on. Please help me. Help me to keep from all sin, but especially from (2) That is the sin I am going to try most of all not to commit again. To keep from committing that sin again I will (3) You see, dear Jesus, I really thank you for forgiving my sins, and I do not want to commit them again. (1) There I say the penance the priest gave me. (2) There I think of my worst sin. (3) There I say what I will do to keep from committing that sin again. 22 CONFESSION PAMPHLETS BY FATHER LORD Two best-selling pamphlets to aid you in making a good confession. CONFESSION IS A JOY? An intelligent discussion of confession written for those who need help in overcoming their fear of confession. WHEN WE GO TO CONFESSION Answers questions which are most frequently asked about confession; contains instructions and prayers for help in making a sincere and good confession. 10c each Regular Quantity Prices Available THE QUEEN’S WORK 3115 South Grand Boulevard St. Louis 18, Missouri Pamphlets on DEVOTIONS 10c TITLES “Come Aside# and Rest Awhile”—Part I “Come Aside# and Rest Awhile”—Part II Day by Day With the Cross “Do You Remember# Lord?” Hints to Happiness Little Ways to Calvary A Month of Devotions to Mary Novena in Honor of the Little Flower Novena to Mary Immaculate Novena to Our Lady of Fatima Prayers and Doctrine for Servicemen Prayers for the Dying Preparation for Holy Communion The Second Greatest Prayer Thanksgiving After Holy Communion Thinking With Mary Thus Shall You Pray Treasury of Indulgenced Prayers Visits to the Blessed Sacrament (12c ea. by mail) 5c TITLES Ask and You Shall Receive How to Make an Act of Perfect Contrition Let’s Really Pray the Rosary Novena for the Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes Prayers for Our Times Think as You Say the Rosary (7c ea. by mail) Quantity Prices on Request THE QUEEN’S WORK 3115 South Grand Blvd. St. Louis 18, Mo. Printed in U. S. A. The Queen s Work 3115 South Grand Boulevard ST. LOUIS 18, MO PRINTED IN U. S. A. 71