3. Q. What is perfect contrition?
A. Perfect contrition is that which fills us with sorrow and hatred for
sin, because it offends God, who is infinitely good in Himself and
worthy of all love.

204. Q. What is imperfect contrition?
A. Imperfect contrition is that by which we hate what offends God,
because by it we lose heaven and deserve hell; or because sin is so
hateful in itself.

205. Q. Is imperfect contrition sufficient for a worthy confession?
A. Imperfect contrition is sufficient for a worthy confession, but we
should endeavor to have perfect contrition.

206. Q. What do you mean by a firm purpose of sinning no more?
A. By a firm purpose of sinning no more I mean a fixed resolve not only
to avoid all mortal sin, but also its near occasions.

207. Q. What do you mean by the near occasions of sin?
A. By the near occasions of sin I mean all the persons, places, and
things that may easily lead us into sin.

LESSON NINETEENTH
ON CONFESSION

208. Q. What is Confession?
A. Confession is the telling of our sins to a duly authorized priest,
for the purpose of obtaining forgiveness.

209. Q. What sins are we bound to confess?
A. We are bound to confess all our mortal sins, but it is well also to
confess our venial sins.

210. Q. Which are the chief qualities of a good Confession?
A. The chief qualities of a good Confession are three: it must be
humble, sincere, and entire.

211. Q. When is our Confession humble?
A. Our Confession is humble, when we accuse our selves of our sins, with
a deep sense of shame and sorrow for having offended God.

212. Q. When is our Confession sincere?
A. Our Confession is sincere, when we tell our sins honestly and
truthfully, neither exaggerating nor excusing them.

213. Q. When is our Confession entire?
A. Our Confession is entire, when we tell the number and kinds of our
sins and the circumstances which change their nature.

214. 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, and say how often we may have sinned in a
day, a week, or a month, and how long the habit or practice has lasted.

215. Q. Is our Confession worthy if, without our fault, we forget to
confess a mortal sin?
A. If without our fault we forget to confess a mortal sin, our
Confession is worthy, and the sin is forgiven; but it must be told in
Confession if it again comes to our min