Monday, January 23, 2017
Youcat commented through CCC – Question n. 232 - Part IV.
(Youcat answer – repeated) Essential
elements of every confession are an examination of conscience, contrition, a purpose
of amendment, confession, and penance.
A deepening through CCC
(CCC 1457)
According to the Church's command, "after having attained the age of
discretion, each of the faithful is bound by an obligation faithfully to
confess serious sins at least once a year" (Cf. CIC, Can. 989; Council of Trent (1551): DS
1683; DS 1708). Anyone who is aware of having committed a mortal sin must not
receive Holy Communion, even if he experiences deep contrition, without having
first received sacramental absolution, unless he has a grave reason for
receiving Communion and there is no possibility of going to confession (Cf.
Council of Trent (1551): DS 1647; 1661; CIC, can. 916; CCEO, can. 711).
Children must go to the sacrament of Penance before receiving Holy Communion
for the first time (Cf. CIC, can. 914).
Reflecting and meditating
(Youcat comment) The examination of conscience should be done
thoroughly, but it can never be exhaustive. No one can be absolved from his sin
without real contrition, merely on the basis of “lip-service”. Equally
indispensable is the purpose of
amendment, the resolution not to commit
that sin again in the future. The sinner absolutely must declare the sin to the
confessor and, thus, confess to it. The final essential element of confession is
the atonement or penance that the confessor imposes on the sinner to make
restitution for the harm done.
(CCC Comment)
(CCC 1459)
Many sins wrong our neighbor. One must do what is possible in order to repair
the harm (e.g., return stolen goods, restore the reputation of someone
slandered, pay compensation for injuries). Simple justice requires as much. But
sin also injures and weakens the sinner himself, as well as his relationships
with God and neighbor. Absolution takes away sin, but it does not remedy all
the disorders sin has caused (Cf. Council of Trent (1551): DS 1712). Raised up
from sin, the sinner must still recover his full spiritual health by doing
something more to make amends for the sin: he must "make satisfaction
for" or "expiate" his sins. This satisfaction is also called
"penance."
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