Preparation for Confession

THE Sacrament of Penance, which the Saints term “ the second plank-after shipwreck,” is one of the greatest blessings we derive from the sufferings and death of Jesus Christ. But as its efficacy chiefly depends on the dispositions of those who approach the holy tribunal, of course preparation for Confession becomes one of the most serious duties of a Christian. That rigid justice, which so severely punished one mortal sin in the angels, and which rigorously inflicted on the eternal Son of God all the penalties due to man's offences, will not assuredly remit the real guilt of sin in those who only carelessly comply with the external form of Confession, without taking the necessary pains to excite in their souls the dispositions which so holy an action requires. Those who are so happy as to have been early instructed in the method of preparing for Confession, should be particularly grateful to God for so great a blessing, and endeavour, by exact compliance with all they know to be necessary, to draw from this Sacrament the graces which it infallibly bestows on those who receive it with due dispositions.

One of the best rules which can be followed with respect to Confession, is to approach the sacred tribunal each time as if it were to be the last. What would be your dispositions, if you were actually stretched on your death-bed, and about to prepare for a confession which you knew would be followed by that tremendous judgment which has caused the greatest saints to tremble? How earnestly would you in that situation, implore light to see the state of your soul !—how seriously would you endeavour to discover all your sins !—how bitterly would you deplore having ever offended so good a God !—how sincere and exact would be your accusations, and how firmly would you resolve, not only to avoid sin, but to repair, as far as possible, every injury you had occasioned, and expiate every offence of which you were guilty. Do now what you would then do; for the Confession you are about to make may be your last; and even though you may have many opportunities of recurring to the Tribunal of Penance, yet be convinced, that at the hour of death there could not be a more serious subject of remorse, than multiplied, but careless Confessions. On the other hand, no tongue can describe the consolation and peace of those who have been wise enough to settle their accounts with God in time, and who did not put off to a season of sickness, anxiety, and mental as well as bodily weakness, the awful task of preparing for eternity. It is in your power now to purchase this happiness for yourself, by seriously attending to the five following requisites for a good Confession :—1st, Serious examination of conscience.—2d, Sorrow for sin.—3d, A determined resolution never more to offend God, and to avoid the occasions of sin.—4th, A candid, humble confession to an approved priest.—5th, A sincere desire and intention to satisfy God's justice, and your neighbour's also, if injured in reputation or property.

Place yourself in the presence of God, by a lively act of faith, and firm conviction that his all-seeing eye penetrates to the bottom of your heart. Endeavour to conceive the importance of acquitting yourself well of so serious a duty as Confession, and consider how grateful you should be to God for granting you an opportunity which is denied to so many sinners, of regaining his grace and friendship.

A Prayer to beg of God the grace to make a good Confession.

O MY God! and most liberal Benefactor! how can I present myself before thee, loaded as I am with sin, and above all debased by the crime of ingratitude for thy innumerable mercies! But thou art my Creator; thou knowest the miseries of my soul; thou seest how often I have abused the greatest graces, how unworthy I am of thy favours; yet notwithstanding thou still desirest not the death of me a wretched sinner, but rather that I be converted and live. If thou didst not ardently love me, thou wouldst not now invite me to return to thee, nor offer me a pardon I have so little deserved. O my good God! since I could not conceive the desire of regaining thy friendship without thy grace, vouchsafe to finish thy own work, and to assist me in preparing for this confession. Teach me to conceive and tremble at the danger in which I have been too often, of eternal separation from thee. O let the misery of those unhappy souls, to whom repentance is now impossible, yet who once had the same advantages I enjoy, awaken me to all the exertions necessary for making a good confession, and do not permit that my negligence or insensibility should frustrate the designs of thy infinite mercy.

Beg the Light of the Holy Ghost to discover your Sins.

O my God! I am firmly convinced, that however sincerely I may desire to discover all my offences, yet, that I am absolutely incapable of discerning even the least of my sins, without the assistance of thy holy spirit. O Judge of the living and the dead! before whom I must appear one day, to give an account of all my thoughts, words, actions, and omissions, from my coming to the use of reason to the last instant of my life, give me, I entreat of thee, that light and grace without which I can do nothing. O divine Spirit of Light and Truth! descend into my heart, and grant me one ray of that light which will enlighten my soul at the moment of her departure from this world. Alas! I shall then see all my sins in their true colours, when it will be too late to detest and renounce them; but now is the acceptable time, the day of salvation, every moment of which is precious: this life is that season of mercy in which thou hast promised to receive and pardon a repenting sinner. O! do not then refuse me thy divine assistance, now that the knowledge of myself can lead to my perfect conversion. Discover to me all that displeases thee in my heart; let nothing escape the exact scrutiny I am about to make, that I may thoroughly know myself, and then, by an humble, candid, contrite accusation, make myself known to thy minister.