dinary
confession, except that it requires more time and longer preparation.

Q. 830. When should a General Confession be made?
A. A general confession (1) is necessary when we are certain that our
past confessions were bad; (2) it is useful on special occasions in our
lives when some change in our way of living is about to take place; (3)
it is hurtful and must not be made when persons are scrupulous.

Q. 831. What are the signs of scruples and the remedy against them?
A. The signs of scruples are chiefly: (1) To be always dissatisfied with
our confessions; (2) To be self-willed in deciding what is sinful and
what is not. The chief remedy against them is to follow exactly the
advice of the confessor without questioning the reason or utility of his
advice.

Q. 832. {227} What must we do when the confessor asks us questions?
A. When the confessor asks us questions we must answer them truthfully
and clearly.

Q. 833. {228} What should we do after telling our sins?
A. After telling our sins we should listen with attention to the advice
which the confessor may think proper to give.

Q. 834. What duties does the priest perform in the confessional?
A. In the confessional the priest performs the duties (1) of a judge, by
listening to our self-accusations and passing sentence upon our guilt or
innocence; (2) Of a father, by the good advice and encouragement he
gives us;
(3) Of a teacher, by his instructions, and (4) Of a physician, by
discovering the afflictions of our soul and giving us the remedies to
restore it to spiritual health.

Q. 835. Why is it beneficial to go always if possible to the same
confessor?
A. It is beneficial to go always, if possible, to the same confessor,
because our continued confessions enable him to see more clearly the
true state of our soul and to understand better our occasions of sin.

Q. 836. Should we remain away from confession because we cannot go to
our usual confessor?
A. We should not remain away from confession because we cannot go to our
usual confessor, for though it is well to confess to the same priest, it
is not necessary to do so. One should never become so attached to a
confessor that his absence or the great inconvenience of going to him
would become an excuse for neglecting the Sacraments.

Q. 837. {229} How should we end our Confession?
A. We should end our Confession by saying, "I also accuse myself of all
the sins of my past life," telling, if we choose, one or sev