"Many Christians regard Confession in the light of an unimportant act of
piety, if not mere ceremony . . . many go even frequently to
Confession, but so few amend, and consequently derive little or no
benefit from the Sacrament. ... Be, then, most thoroughly convinced of
the immense importance of this Sacrament, and be filled with an earnest
desire of approaching it worthily, bestowing the utmost care and
attention upon your preparation for this great duty, if you desire to
obtain eternal salvation. Confession is one of the seven Sacraments
instituted by Christ; it is called the Sacrament of Penance, and by its
means alone can
he who has committed mortal sin after Baptism hope to save his soul;
therefore it is called by the holy Council of Trent: the second plank after shipwreck.
In this Sacrament Jesus Christ has deposited His Precious Blood, that
it may be to our souls as a salutary bath wherein they may be cleansed
from all the stains of sin, their wounds closed, their maladies cured,
their weakness strengthened, and grace unto salvation imported to them.
This Divine Blood is dispensed to us by the priest in the holy
absolution, and is abundantly poured forth upon all souls approaching
the tribunal of confession with proper dispositions."
— Fr. Ignatius of the Side of Jesus, p. 284-5
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