Note 1012 — Chapter II · THE TREATMENT OF PENITENTS IN DIFFERENT EXTERNAL CIRCUMSTANCES (continued 2)

Idque, proceeds Lehmkuhl, adeo verum est, ut in extraordinariis donis divinis, teste Sancta Theresia, Deus, non raro directorem vel confessarium experientia instruat, ut alios, qui ejusmodi charismatibus dotati sint, recte instruere et dirigere possit. The more, therefore, the confessor sees himself deprived of the extraordinary gifts, the more prudent and cautious he must be; if he should have a penitent who enjoys a special intercourse with God, such penitent must not be lightly treated. But even in the treatment of ordinary, everyday matters, the confessor of nuns must proceed with great prudence, in order to give wholesome advice and correct answers; “quo enim sagacioris et suspicacioris indolis sint feminæ et quo majus otium ruminandi et indagandi monialibus relinquatur, eo cautior et prudentior esse debet illarum confessarius, ne errorum det ansam.” Lehmkuhl. It is also a part of prudence to content himself with what devolves upon him as confessor, and not to interfere in the temporal affairs of the nuns, lest, by more familiar intercourse with one or other of them, he expose himself or her to danger, or give occasion for ill feeling or petty jealousy.