Page:Complete ascetical works of St Alphonsus v6.djvu/63

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Pious Exercise to acquire the Proper Disposition for making a good Confession.^{[ed. 1]}

Preparation.

To prepare ourselves well for confession, we should retire from every external source of distraction, go either to a church or an oratory, place ourselves in the presence of God, and make the following act:

Act of Adoration

Supreme and adorable Majesty, God of heaven and earth, I firmly believe that Thou art present, and that Thou seest me and knowest the dispositions of my heart. I adore Thee and render Thee my humble homage, acknowledging Thee for my God, my Creator, and my Sovereign Redeemer. In testimony of this my faith, I prostrate my soul and body before the throne of Thy Infinite Majesty, and offer Thee the adoration which is due to Thee alone.

↑ We find this exercise, with that which is mentioned at the end of the Novena to the Holy Ghost, in an old edition of the Reflections and Affections on the Passion (Operette spir., p. 2. Napoli, 1769). The act which concludes it—the Offering of the Mass—shows that it here finds a suitable place in connection with the Holy Sacrifice, as it does elsewhere in connection with Holy Communion.—There are other shorter Acts for Confession in the Christian's Rule of Life, chap. ii. § 3. On the advantages of frequent confession, and the manner how to approach worthily this sacrament, see True Spouse of Christ, chap, xviii. § i, and Instructions on the Commandments and the Sacraments, part ii. chap. 5.—Ed.

[1] We find this exercise, with that which is mentioned at the end of the Novena to the Holy Ghost, in an old edition of the Reflections and Affections on the Passion (Operette spir., p. 2. Napoli, 1769). The act which concludes it—the Offering of the Mass—shows that it here finds a suitable place in connection with the Holy Sacrifice, as it does elsewhere in connection with Holy Communion.—There are other shorter Acts for Confession in the Christian's Rule of Life, chap. ii. § 3. On the advantages of frequent confession, and the manner how to approach worthily this sacrament, see True Spouse of Christ, chap, xviii. § i, and Instructions on the Commandments and the Sacraments, part ii. chap. 5.—Ed.

[ed. 1]