Pardon and Peace

Laymen’s Guide to getting the full spiritual and mental benefits from Confession.

Father Alfred Wilson, a pastor of souls and popular spiritual writer, wrote that the psychological benefits of Confession are of a piece with its moral benefits-and can only be fully enjoyed when the penitent approaches the sacrament in the proper spirit. In Pardon and Peace, originally published back in 1946, Father Wilson captivated audiences with insights like these:

—Find yourself confessing the same sins over and over? Here’s the reason—and helpful advice.

—Types of inaccurate confession.

—If your examination of conscience tends to be a lengthy ordeal then here’s what you’re doing wrong.

—Two chief considerations for weighing the gravity of a sin.

—Three conditions that must be present for a sin to be mortal.

—Four guidelines for confessing venial sins.

—Common excuses for avoiding Confession.

—How to confess a sin of impurity.

—“Nothing to tell”? You might not be searching properly.

“Answers all your questions, and not only that, any others you could possibly think of about Confession.”—Caryll Houselander

“A clear, sound, eminently sensible exposition of the why and how of one of Christ’s often-neglected sacramental gifts. Both Catholics who seldom approach this sacrament and Catholics for whom it is an established part of their spiritual lives will find a lot that is helpful and inspiring here, as will priests and catechists.”—Russell Shaw, Author, Why We Need Confession

“An intelligent and compassionate explanation of the Sacrament of Reconciliation and of all aspects of penance and the forgiveness of sin. Very helpful for younger Catholics, for older Catholics, and questioning non-Catholics.”—Fr. Benedict Groeschel, CFR, Author, Arise from Darkness