Recovering A Sense Of Sin And Imperfection

[BarbTherese]

While this document is primarily directed (but not totally) to priests and to spiritual directors, it has great value for us all. There are wonderful spiritual gems for us all buried here and there in the document as well as whole sections for us. I have had a skim read and after posting this am transferring it to Word and printing it for a prayerful careful read. It is rather a long document and 40 pages in my Word Document including all references etc. - the full document. Rather than read it all in the one sitting, I print out roughly ten pages for one spiritual reading period and arm myself with a biro and highlighter. After that, I file it into a $AU 1.50 plastic sleeved binder for keeping and reference details.

Sections 106 - 109 refer to the qualities needed in the person being directed.

At the end of the document is a Table of Contents which is also a good index of subjects.

[quote]http://www.clerus.org/english/news/00002638_The_priest__minister_of_divine_mercy___An_aid_for_confessors_and_spiritual_directors.html
[u]Extract only[/u]: “It is necessary to return to the confessional as a place in which to celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation, but also as a place in which “to dwell” more often, so that the faithful may fi nd compassion, advice and comfort, feel that they are loved and understood by God and experience the presence of Divine Mercy beside the Real Presence in the Eucharist”.1
With these words, the Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI addressed confessors during the recent Year for Priests, indicating to each one present the importance and therefore the apostolic urgency of rediscovering the Sacrament of Reconciliation, both from their viewpoint of penitents as well as that of ministers."[/quote]

CONGREGATION FOR THE CLERGY
[u][b]THE PRIEST, MINISTEROF DIVINE MERCY[/b][/u]

AN AID FOR CONFESSORS AND SPIRITUAL DIRECTORS
http://www.clerus.org/clerus/dati/2011-05/20-13/Sussidio_per_Confessori_en.pdf
[quote][b][u]Extract only[/u][/b]:
"The fact that
great numbers of people “seem to stay away from confession completely,
for various reasons, is a sign of the urgent need to develop a
whole pastoral strategy of the Sacrament of Reconciliation. This will
be done by constantly reminding Christians of the need to have a real
relationship with God, to have a sense of sin when one is closed to
God and to others, the need to be converted and, through the Church,
to receive forgiveness as a free gift of God. They also need to be reminded
of the conditions that enable the sacrament to be celebrated
well, and in this regard to overcome prejudices, baseless fears and routine.
Such a situation, at the same time, requires that we ourselves
should remain greatly available for this ministry of forgiveness; ready
to devote to it the necessary time and care, and I would even say giving
it priority over other activities. The faithful will then realize the value
that we attach to it, as did the Curé of Ars”.
[u][b]
The ministry of mercy[/b][/u]21. The ministry of reconciliation, when exercised with great
generosity, will contribute to deepening the meaning of God’s love, to
recovering a sense of sin and of the imperfections which are obstacles
to true love. Loss of a sense of sin disrupts the inner balance of
our hearts and generates contradiction and confl ict in human society.
Only the peace of an undivided heart can overcome war and tensions.
“The truth is that the imbalances under which the modern world labours
are linked with that more basic imbalance which is rooted in the
heart of man. For in man himself many elements wrestle with one
another”.22[/quote]

Edited July 18, 2011 by BarbaraTherese

[sistersintigo]

Thank you, barbaraTherese. This topic is most timely for me.

[BarbTherese]

Thank you and God bless - you have reminded me I have only had a close read of half of the document! Off to print off more pages now.


Barb