Confession: Its Fruitful Practice with an Examination of Conscience

I have been delaying my confession for the last 40 years , yes 40. I was scared to go to confession since my last confession was when I was a teenager and it wasn’t a good one. This book gave me a chance to do an examination of conscience which the priest was happy I did. I thought it would take hours to do my confession, but since I read this booklet, I wrote down everything I did and whatever I can remember. It took less than 10 minutes as I read everything I wrote. It was a relief to finally get an absolution from a priest (in persona Christi). If you are having anxiety on how to do a good confession, this book is a must. God Bless!

This is another excellent resource from TAN Books. It is available as a standalone booklet, eBook, and audio book. It is also available as a supplement at the end of some eBooks from TAN, specifically the eBooks available of books by Mary Fabyan Windeatt, as well as several other volumes from TAN. I first encountered it in one such book and then picked up the stand alone version. The description of this book is: “This wonderful and practical little booklet explains clearly and thoroughly how to make a good confession—but in much greater detail than covered in most catechisms. It includes an Examination of Conscience (plus a discussion of lax, scrupulous and doubtful conscience), contrition and its necessary qualities, avoiding the near occasions of sin, the actual Confession of sins to the priest, and the penance given by the priest. This booklet also explains perfect and imperfect contrition and how to make acts of perfect contrition. It then considers sacrilegious Confession, how to rectify a bad Confession and the reasons for General Confession. Confession of venial sins is also discussed, as well as the many, unheralded benefits of frequent Confession. After these beautiful, clear explanations, the booklet then guides the reader through preparation for a good Confession, including an Examination of Conscience based on the Ten Commandments of God, the Six Precepts of the Church, the Seven Capital Sins, the duties of one’s particular state of life, and the Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy. Also included are considerations to excite contrition and prayers before and after Confession. This is truly a most valuable little handbook about Confession, packed with the traditional teachings of the Church on the Sacrament of Penance—a Sacrament which is both the salvation of those in mortal sin and a much-neglected and easy means of growth in holiness for all Catholics.” This book was originally published by the Benedictine Convent of Perpetual Adoration. In 2000 Tan revised and expanded it. It received the Nihil Obstat and Imprimatur in 1957. The chapters and sections in this volume are: The Blessings of Confession The Five Things Necessary for a Good Confession I. Examination of Conscience False Consciences and Their Remedies The Lax Conscience The Doubtful Conscience How to Make a Good Examination of Conscience II. Contrition The Qualities of Contrition Interior Contrition Supernatural Contrition Effects of Perfect Contrition How to Make Acts of Perfect Contrition Universal Contrition Sovereign Contrition Relapses Into Former Sins III. Purpose of Amendment Occasions of Sin Purpose of Amendment Must Be Specific IV. Confession and Absolution 1. The Confession of Sins Qualities of a Good Confession Confession of Venial Sins Sacrilegious Confessions General Confessions Frequent Confession Practical Admonitions 2. The Absolution of the Priest V. Satisfaction The Sacramental Penance Voluntary Penances Indulgences Preparation for a Good Confession Prayer before the Examination of Conscience Points for the Examination of Conscience The Commandments of God 1. The Honor and Worship of God. 2. Thou shalt not take the Name of the Lord thy God in vain. 3. Remember thou keep holy the Lord’s day (Sunday). 4. Honor thy Father and thy Mother (and all Superiors). 5. Thou shalt not kill. 6. Thou shalt not commit adultery. 9. Thou shalt not covet thy neighbors wife. 7. Thou shalt not steal. 10. Thou shalt not covet thy neighbors goods. 8. Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor. The Six Precepts of the Church The Seven Capital Sins Duties of Special States of Life Considerations to Excite Contrition 1. The Enormity of Sin 2. God’s Benefits to Me 3. The Love of Jesus Christ Prayers before Confession Act of Contrition and Purpose of Amendment Prayer before a Crucifix (or Image of Jesus Crucified) Prayer of St. Gertrude Short and Efficacious Act of Contrition Instructions for Confession Prayers after Confession Psalm 102 Prayer of Thanksgiving Prayer before Performing the Sacramental Penance As can be seen by the contents a lot is packed in this little volume. The first chapter states: “The Blessings of Confession “BLESSED are they that wash their robes in the Blood of the Lamb.” (Apoc. 22:14). Catholics truly may be called “blessed” in the means they have of washing the sin-stained robes of their souls in the Precious Blood of the Lamb of God in the Sacrament of Penance! There is no question that Confession—especially frequent Confession—is an inestimable blessing to mankind. Man can hope for no greater blessing on this earth than true peace of soul. The Sacrament of Penance is a perennial fountain of peace. It is a source of untold consolation to human hearts. This Sacrament gives any and every member of the Catholic Church who has transgressed the holy laws of God an easy and simple means to obtain full pardon and to be restored to His friendship. This is its first and principal effect. Its second effect is to wipe out the punishment due to sin: eternal punishment entirely, and temporal punishment in whole or in part, according to the penitent’s dispositions. It closes the gates of Hell, which open to swallow up in the infernal abyss souls who deliberately turn away from God by mortal sin and who sunder the ties binding them to Him by preferring their own wills to His. A good Confession opens anew the portals of Heaven, which are barred to souls so long as they remain in the state of mortal sin. It clothes souls with the beautiful nuptial garment of Sanctifying Grace, or renders that garment still more beautiful if the soul already possesses it. It restores past merits, which are lost by even a single mortal sin. It renders the soul capable again of performing acts meritorious of an eternal reward, which is impossible while it is in the state of mortal sin. It confers sacramental graces, that is, powerful supernatural helps to avoid sin in the future, and to persevere in the service of God. It gives a claim to the special graces the soul needs in order to lead a God-pleasing life. Finally, it checks sinful passions and inclinations to evil. To partake in fullest measure of these blessings of the Sacrament of Penance, it is necessary for the penitent to know how to make a good Confession. The present booklet is an attempt to help souls in this all-important matter by explaining the five requisites of a good Confession, plus various points which are of vital importance for the fruitful reception of this Sacrament.” I hope that between the contents and that first chapter you will see the value and worth of this little volume. It is an excellent resource. I am glad to have it and know it is one of the books I will return to often for spiritual reading. A great little volume I can easily recommend for your personal or family library.

It was a gift for my sister. I already had a copy for me. It covers examination of conscience so well. It is thorough. It even recalls the commandments of the church for one to ponder. I find it an invaluable tool for the Catholic who loves the sacrament of Penance. It will not disappoint.

Excellent catechetical and pastoral tool for all Catholics adults

Very good,