Theory and practice of the confessional : $b A guide in the administration of the sacrament of penance

Description

"Theory and practice of the confessional" by Caspar E. Schieler is a pastoral-theological manual written in the early 20th century. It presents doctrine, law, and practical guidance for priests administering the Sacrament of Penance, framing the confessor’s work as judge, shepherd, physician, and father. The focus is on forming true contrition, conducting sound examinations, giving prudent counsel, and ensuring valid, fruitful absolution. The opening of the work provides ecclesiastical endorsements, an introduction exalting the confessor’s office and its grave responsibilities, and an editor’s preface justifying an English edition and outlining the book’s scope and use. A detailed table of contents signals a comprehensive treatment from theology through practice. The first chapters define penance as a virtue and as a sacrament with judicial character; explain the necessity of confession (in re or at least in voto), the Church’s precept of annual confession, and the benefits of frequent confession; and show how venial sins are forgiven (through sacraments, Mass, sacramentals, contrition, charity, and good works). They then clarify the “matter” and “form” of the sacrament, what counts as necessary versus free matter, how specific an accusation must be, the standard formula of absolution and its prayers, the requirement that the penitent be truly present, and the limited circumstances permitting conditional absolution. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Subjects

• Confession
• Penance
• BX