"The supreme perfection of man in this life is to be so united to God that all his soul with all its faculties and powers are so gathered into the Lord God that he becomes one spirit with him, and remembers nothing except God, is aware of and recognises nothing but God, but with all his desires unified by the joy of love, he rests contentedly in the enjoyment of his Maker alone."

St Albert the Great

* * *

"To do God's will -- this was the goal upon which the saints constantly fixed their gaze. They were fully persuaded that in this consists the entire perfection of the soul. "

St Alphonsus de Liguori

* * *

"Before a man chooses his confessor, he ought to think well about it, and pray about it also; but when he has once chosen, he ought not to change, except for most urgent reasons, but put the utmost confidence in his director."

St Philip Neri

* * *

About this "Penny" Catechism - Visit the more detailed "Catechism of the Catholic Church" here.

 
 

FROM THE "PENNY CATECHISM"
     

Penance or Reconciliation
281.

What is the Sacrament of Penance (or Reconciliation)?
 

Penance (Reconciliation) is a Sacrament whereby the sins, whether mortal or venial, which we have committed after Baptism are forgiven.

 
282. Does the Sacrament of Penance increase the grace of God in the soul?

 

The Sacrament of Penance increase the grace of God in the soul, besides forgiving sin; we should, therefore, often go to confession.
 
  283. When did our Lord institute the Sacrament of Penance?
 
 

Our Lord instituted the Sacrament of Penance when he breathed on his Apostles and gave them power to forgive sins, saying: 'Whose sins you shall forgive, they are forgiven.' John 20:23

 
  284. How does the priest forgive sins?
 
 

The priest forgives sins by the power of God, when he pronounces the words of absolution.

 
  285. What are the words of absolution?
 
 

The words of absolution are: 'I absolve you from your sins, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit'.

 
  286. Are any conditions of forgiveness required on the part of the penitent?
 
 

Three conditions for forgiveness are required on the part of the penitent - Contrition, Confession, and Satisfaction.
 
  287. What is Contrition?
 
 

Contrition is a hearty sorrow for our sins, because by them we have offended so good a God, together with a firm purpose of amendment. 

 
  288. What is a firm purpose of amendment?
 
 

A firm purpose of amendment is a resolution to avoid, by the grace of God, not only sin, but also the dangerous occasions of sin.
 
  289. How may we obtain a hearty sorrow for our sins?
 
 

We may obtain a hearty sorrow for our sins by earnestly praying for it, and by making use of such considerations as may lead us to it.

 
  290. What consideration concerning God will lead us to sorrow for our sins?
 
 

This consideration concerning God will lead us to sorrow for our sins: that by our sins we have offended God, who is infinitely good in himself and infinitely good to us.

 
  291. What other consideration concerning our Saviour will lead us to sorrow for our sins?
 
 

This consideration concerning our Saviour will lead us to sorrow for our sins: that our Saviour died for our sins, and that those who sin grievously 'crucify again to themselves the Son of God, making him a mockery'. Heb. 6:6
 
  292. Is sorrow for our sins, because by them we have lost heaven and deserved hell, sufficient when we go to confession?
 
 

Sorrow for our sins, because by them we have lost heaven and deserved hell, is sufficient when we go to confession.
 
  293. What is perfect contrition?
 
 

Perfect contrition is sorrow for sin arising purely from the love of God.

 
  294. What special value has perfect contrition?
 
 

Perfect contrition has this special value: that by it our sins are forgiven immediately, even before we confess them; but nevertheless, if they are serious, we are strictly bound to confess them afterwards.

 
  295. What is confession?
 
 

Confession is to accuse ourselves of our sins to a priest approved by the Bishop.
 
  296. What if a person willfully conceals a serious sin in confession?
 
 

If a person willfully conceals a serious sin in confession he is guilty of a great sacrilege, by telling a lie to the Holy Spirit in making a bad confession.
 
  297. How many things have we to do in order to prepare for confession?
 
 

We have four things to do in order to prepare for confession:
first, we must heartily pray for grace to make a good confession;
secondly, we must carefully examine our conscience;
thirdly, we must take time and care to make a good act of contrition; and fourthly, we must resolve by the help of God to renounce our sins, and to begin a new life for the future.
 
  298. What is satisfaction?
 
 

Satisfaction is doing the penance given us by the priest.
 
  299. Does the penance given by the priest always make full satisfaction for our sins?
 
 

The penance given by the priest does not always make full satisfaction for our sins. We should therefore add to it other good works and penances, and try to gain Indulgences.
 
  300. What is an Indulgence?
 
 

An Indulgence is a remission, granted by the Church, of the temporal punishment which often remains due to sin after its guilt has been forgiven.