Duties of the Confessor as Physician

The Duties of the Confessor as Spiritual Physician.—(a) General Remedies.—The confessor should give much attention to the study of moral and ascetical works, so as to be able to suggest suitable means to his penitents for overcoming their spiritual infirmities and avoiding future relapses. Thus, if a penitent desires to know or ought to be told how to struggle against anger, drunkenness or impurity, the confessor should know how to advise him and what measures to recommend to him.

(b) Special Remedies.—Certain classes of penitents need special attention. Thus, the tempted and afflicted should be told the means of fighting temptation and sadness; the scrupulous should be forbidden to examine their consciences too carefully, or to accuse themselves minutely, or to spend too much time at devotions; the sick and the dying should be encouraged to dispose themselves well and to put aside thoughts of fear and discouragement; pious persons often need assistance when they suffer temptations to tepidity or spiritual desolation. The careless, lazy, malicious, and hardened should be reproved, but sternness should not be unmingled with kindness, lest the penitent be driven away from his duty altogether.