_ 31 _ regarding what they promise to do, rather than after they have been absolved. Note this. When you hear confessions in these parts, do not treat the penitents harshly or inspire fear until they have related their sins. Rather should you talk to them about God’s great mercy, making light of what is, in fact, very serious; all this until they have finished confession and reciting their sins. Be attentive when you hear confessions, because you will come across people who, out of shame for some vile and obscene sins, do not dare to reveal them. Encourage such persons as these persuasively to confess their faults. Treating everything lightly, explain to them that you know of others more serious than those that they have. I would state further that with persons like this, help them sometimes to confess these sins which the devil prevents them from revealing through shame or fear. Describe your own sad past in general terms. This is something that experience will teach you. You will find some people, and let us hope there are not many, who have doubts about the sacraments, especially about Communion. The reason why many do not receive Communion is because of their contact with the
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