BK David Werve read an excerpt at the Membership Meeting:
“Many Christians regard Confession in the light of an unimportant act of piety,
if not mere ceremony . . . many go even frequently to Confession, but so few
amend, and consequently derive little or no benefit from the Sacrament. … Be,
then, most thoroughly convinced of the immense importance of this
Sacrament, and be filled with an earnest desire of approaching it worthily,
bestowing the utmost care and attention upon your preparation for this great
duty, if you desire to obtain eternal salvation. Confession is one of the seven
Sacraments instituted by Christ; it is called the Sacrament of Penance, and by
its means alone can he who has committed mortal sin after Baptism hope to
save his soul; therefore it is called by the holy Council of Trent: the second
plank after shipwreck. In this Sacrament Jesus Christ has deposited His
Precious Blood, that it may be to our souls as a salutary bath wherein they
may be cleansed from all the stains of sin, their wounds closed, their maladies
cured, their weakness strengthened, and grace unto salvation imported to
them. This Divine Blood is dispensed to us by the priest in the holy absolution,
and is abundantly poured forth upon all souls approaching the tribunal of
confession with proper dispositions.”
—
Fr. Ignatius of the Side of Jesus, p. 284-285
