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 alloyed joy  and  satisfaction  as  I  feel  at  this present moment."

4. My  dear  young  friend,  if  you  never,  or but  rarely,  have  felt  such  sensible  consolation after you  have  been  to  confession,  it  is  no  sign that your  confession  was  not  a  good  one. If you have  made  it  with  all  due  seriousness  and contrition, you  may  rest  assured  that  God  has forgiven your  sins,  and  bestowed  abundant graces upon  you.

Thus the  sacrament  of  Penance  is,  in  very deed, the  fountain  of  life,  the  medicine  of  salvation, the  death  of  sin,  the  place  of  healing  for souls, the  beginning  of  all  that  is  good. O blessed Penance,  what  marvelous  changes  does it effect! That which  was  lost  is  found  again, that which  was  spoiled  is  made  new  again,  that which was  dead  is  restored  to  life.

All is  won,  all  is  saved,  for  the  truly  contrite soul, which  through  the  power  of  this  sacrament  has  regained  the  friendship  of  God,  has become once  more  a  child  of  God  and  joint  heir with Jesus  Christ  of  the  kingdom  of  heaven.

Have you  sinned  as  none  else  in  the  world  have before you? Are you  blacker  than  all  other  creatures  in guilt?

O fear  not! O fear  not! the mother  that  bore you

Loves you  less  than  the  Saviour  whose  blood you have  spilt!

O come,  then,  to  Jesus,  and  say  how  you  love Him,

And swear  at  His  feet  you  will  keep  in  His grace;