VATICAN - Holy Father's Message: “one pastoral priority of our own times is the correct formation of believers' consciences, because in the extent to which the idea of sin is lost, so unfortunately the sense of guilt increases, which it is then sought to eliminate through inadequate palliative remedies.”

Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) - “One pastoral priority of our own times is the correct formation of believers' consciences, because in the extent to which the idea of sin is lost, so unfortunately the sense of guilt increases, which it is then sought to eliminate through inadequate palliative remedies.” This is what the Holy Father Benedict XVI wrote in his March 12th Message to Cardinal James Francis Stafford, Penitentiary Major, and the participants of the 20th course on the "internal forum," organized by the Apostolic Penitentiary. “Many valuable spiritual and pastoral instruments, which should be increasingly more appreciated, contribute to the formation of consciences,” the Pope said, naming things like catechesis, preaching, the homily, spiritual direction, the Sacrament of Reconciliation, and the celebration of the Eucharist.
“Like all the Sacraments, the Sacrament of Penance requires a previous catechesis and a mystagogical catechesis for deepening in the understanding of the sacrament 'per ritus et preces' as the liturgical Constitution Sacrosanctum Concilium from Vatican II (cf. 48) states. An adequate catechesis offers a concrete contribution in the educating of consciences, leading them to a better perception of the sense of sin, which today has become somewhat faded or, worse still, obfuscated by an 'etsi Deus non daretur' way of thinking and living, an expression taken from Grotius but highly relevant in our time, denoting a relativism closed to the true meaning of life.”
“Catechesis must be accompanied by a wise use of preaching, which in the Church's history has taken on different forms, according to the mentality and pastoral needs of the faithful,” Benedict XVI, who observes that today, among the various kinds of communication, there is an increased use of telematic instruments: “In fact, the present mass media, while it is a challenge to be met, it also offers Providential opportunities to announce the timeless and immutable Word of Truth that the Divine Master has entrusted to His Church, in new ways which are more closely geared towards modern sensibilities.” The homily “is without doubt the most widespread form of preaching with which the consciences of millions of faithful are educated every Sunday. In the recent Synod of Bishops, dedicated to the Word of God in the Church, a number of Synod Fathers rightly stressed the value and importance of homilies, which must be adapted to the modern mentality.”
The Pope then mentioned the value of “spiritual direction” in forming consciences. “It is an important service to the Church, which requires interior vitality, to be implored as a gift of the Holy Spirit through intense and prolonged prayer, and through carefully-acquired training.
In order to administer the divine mercy in the Sacrament of Penance, “each priest must nourish his own spiritual life and ensure his own ongoing theological and pastoral 'aggiornamento.' Finally, believers' consciences are purified through devout and conscientious participation in Mass, which is the sacrifice of Christ for the remission of sin.”
Concluding his Message, the Holy Father exhorted the course participants “to treasure all they have learned on the Sacrament of Penance,” and “in the various contexts in which each one lives and works, maintain an awareness of the need to be worthy ministers of divine mercy and responsible educators of consciences, May you draw inspiration from the saintly confessors and masters of the spirit, among whom I particularly wish to mention St. Jean Marie Vianney, 'Cure of Ars', the 150th anniversary of whose death is being commemorated this year.” (SL) (Agenzia Fides 16/3/2009)