Page:The Catholic prayer book.djvu/147

 herself after  leaving  the  tribunal  of  penance  without telling her  sin! She always  carries  within  her  a viper  that  unceasingly  lacerates  her  heart. The miserable being  shall  suffer  a hell  in  this  life,  and  a hell  in  the  next. O my children,  if  any  of  you  have fallen into  the  misfortune  of  concealing  a sin  through shame, let  him  take  courage  and  confess  it  as  soon as possible. It is  enough  for  you  to  say  to  the  confessor: Father, I feel  ashamed  to  tell  a certain  sin; or to  say,  Father,  I have  a scruple  regarding  my  past life. This is  sufficient,  for  the  confessor  will  take care to  pluck  out  the  thorn  which  torments  you,  and thus give  peace  to  your  conscience. And, oh! what joy shall  you  feel  after  having  expelled  the  viper from your  heart.” — St. Alphonsus.

1. You are to  thank  God  for  the grace  of  sacramental absolution. How truly  valuable  is  that  grace,  and  how many Catholics  are  there  to  whom  it  is  not  given ! How thankful  should  you  be  for  being  specially favoured by  God,  and  with  what  fervour  should  you return thanks  to  heaven  at  least  after  each  confession' 2. Neglect  not  the  penance,  or  satisfaction,  imposed by your  confessor. Discharge that  duty  within  the proper time  and  in  a penitential  spirit. It is  sinful to omit  any  portion  of  it; and  it  is  sinful  also  not to fulfil  it  within  the  appointed  time,  when  it  is within  your  power  to  do  so. 3. Be  careful  to  reduce to practice  the  good  advice  given  by  your  confessor, and especially  to  fly  the  dangerous  occasions  of  sin, to pray  for  help  in  times  of  temptation,  and  to approach  the  Sacraments  as  often  at  least  as  experience tells  you  it  is  necessary  to  do  so,  in  order  to keep  you  from  falling  into  mortal  sin,  and  so preserve  the  grace  of  God  in  your  soul.