§ 1. On The Zeal And Charity Of The Confessor

1793. In the confessor there is required, so that he may be able fruitfully to perform his office, eminent CHARITY. - For since confession is an entirely voluntary act, by which the highest trust is shown to the confessor, it is manifest that such trust cannot be provoked unless the confessor in turn shows the highest kindness to the penitent who approaches him to open the secrets of his conscience.¹³ - Wherefore the following admonitions are handed down by our Holy Doctor:

Admonitions. - 1. Let the confessor show great charity and zeal in BENIGNLY RECEIVING all, whether poor or rich; since with God there is no acceptance of persons. - Indeed, in imitation of Christ, who says: "I came not to call the just, but sinners," a good confessor, with the inmost parts of charity, the greater the number and the more foully stained by the filth of sins he finds souls to be, with so much the greater charity he embraces them, that he may win them for God, and he supplies courage to them with these or similar words: "Come, brother! Be of good heart! Do not fear; confess your sins without dread!" etc.

2. Let him show greater charity in HEARING the penitent. "Let him beware lest he exhibit himself impatient, or appear to be struck with wonder at the sins which are being narrated... In the act of confession let him abstain from making correction, lest perhaps, terrified, penitents keep back their sins. Nevertheless this is understood regularly speaking; for many times it is expedient not to proceed to further things, and immediately to correct the penitent, especially when he confesses a very enormous sin, or if he himself has been habituated in some vice, so that he may comprehend the gravity of the sin. Yet let the confessor advert that he not exasperate him, nor terrify him. Wherefore, after he has corrected him as much as there was need, immediately let him give him courage to confess the remaining sins."¹⁴ Let him not appear to the penitent impatient of delay, nor let him forget that that is always done quickly enough which is done well enough. Toward the badly disposed let him use much patience, and, every motion of an inflamed soul being restrained, let him endeavor sweetly and at the same time strongly to recall them to good fruit.

3. But let him show the greatest charity and zeal in WELL DISPOSING the penitent, and in helping him, as far as can be done, that thus he may cause him to obtain all the goods which flow from the Sacrament, namely justification, progress in grace, and the gift of perseverance. "Wherefore, with more vehement ardor and zeal, let him apply himself so that he cause the penitent to perceive the gravity and multitude of his sins, and the miserable state of damnation in which he is found; but let this always be done with the greatest charity... so that the penitent may understand that what is said to him proceeds not from an angry mind, but from singular love and compassion toward his soul... Afterward, he will help him to form an act of sorrow, and, if he is disposed, let him absolve him."¹⁵

"But if he should be incapable of absolution, or if it will seem expedient that absolution be deferred, let him assign to him the day on which he ought to return, saying to him thus: 'Come, brother! On such a day I await you; do not omit returning to me; be of strong and great soul, as I have said to you. Commend yourself daily to the Blessed Virgin, and come to me. If, perhaps, then you find me receiving the confessions of others, approach; for I will hear you before the others. If I am elsewhere, arrange that they summon me; I will leave all things so that you may confess.' And thus let him dismiss him from himself with sweet words. 'This is the way by which sinners can be made saved, namely to act with them with as much charity as can possibly be done; otherwise, if they fall upon a confessor who acts harshly with them, they will dread confession, they will neglect to confess, and unbridled they will go to perdition.'"¹⁶

The RITUAL also admonishes: "For those confessing more rarely or later, or easily falling back into sins, it will have been most useful to counsel that they confess often, say once a month, or on certain solemn days, and, if it is expedient, communicate."