A Journey Through the Catechism (Contrition; Confession)
For the Easter season, we now continue with our Pastor Column series through the Baltimore Catechism, and after Pentecost, we will pause again and launch a new series for the summer months. Why this series on the Baltimore Catechism? The Catechism of the Catholic Church currently in use is very expansive, very detailed, and is very good at explaining why we believe what we believe; the Baltimore Catechism is very concise and to-the-point about what we believe. It helps to have a clear, simple understanding of what we believe before we dive deep into understanding why we believe it.
We continue with the fifteenth and sixteenth articles: “On Contrition” and “On Confession.”
Q: What is contrition, or sorrow for sin?
A: Contrition, or sorrow for sin, is a hatred of sin, and it is true grief of the soul for having offended God, with a firm purpose of amendment of life to sin no more.
Q: Why should we be sorry for our sins?
A: We should be sorry for our sins because sin is the worst of all evils and an offense against God our Creator, Preserver, and Redeemer, and also because mortal sin shuts us out of Heaven and condemns us to the eternal pains of hell.
Q: What do we mean by a firm purpose of amendment of life to sin no more?
A: By a firm purpose of amendment of life to sin nore more, we mean a fixed resolve not only to avoid all mortal sin but also to avoid all near occasions of sin.
Q: What do we mean by the near occasion of sin?
A: By the near occasion of sin, we mean all persons, places, and things that may easily lead us into sin. (N.B. In other words: willfully placing ourselves into a situation where we will be tempted easily to fall into sin, particularly with regard to an aspect of the moral life where perhaps we are weak. For example, an alcoholic routinely going to bars is placing himself or herself into situations where he or she will be tempted easily to lapse and drink alcohol.)
Q: What is confession?
A: Confession is the telling of our sins to a duly authorized priest for the purpose of obtaining forgiveness. (N.B. In other words: absolution.)
Q: What sins are we to confess?
A: We are to confess all of our mortal sins, but we do well also to confess our venial sins.
Q: What should we do if we cannot remember the number of our sins?
A: If we cannot remember the number of our sins, we should tell the number as nearly as possible. (N.B. “Kind and number.” What sins have we committed and how many times. If we are unsure of how many times, giving an approximation is good, or else giving some idea of frequency in the event of regular habitual sins.)
Q: Is it a grievous offense willfully to conceal a mortal sin in confession?
A: Yes, it is a grievous offense willfully to conceal a mortal sin in confession because in so doing we tell a lie to the Holy Spirit and therefore render our confession worthless and null.
Q: What must a person do who has willfully concealed a mortal sin in confession?
A: A person who has willfully concealed a mortal sin in confession must not only confess that particular sin but also must repeat the confession of all of the sins committed since the last valid confession.
Q: Why does the priest give us a penance after confession?
A: The priest gives us a penance after confession so that we may satisfy God for the temporal punishment incurred because of our sins that we have committed.
~ Fr. Lewis