Note 651 — Chapter I · THE ESSENTIAL DUTIES OF THE CONFESSOR IN THE EXERCISE OF HIS OFFICE; OR, THE CONFESSOR CONSIDERED IN HIS OFFICE OF JUDGE

An exception can be made when the penitent has written his sins, and reads them, moreover, when the penitent is not able to make known his sins, and the confessor is obliged from the beginning of the confession to help by means of questions, he should not in that case proceed to another point till he is quite clear as to the one in question. When the penitent wishes to explain something to the confessor, the latter should not prevent him (unless it is concerning things which are useless, not to the point, or mere excuses, or which incriminate others), he should rather allow him time to reveal his misery and his scruples; this especially applies when the penitent seldom confesses, or has come from a distance, or is making a general confession; the confessor must then receive him with all love and kindness, and must see that his conscience is quite set at rest.