70. How should we spend the day of Communion?
We should spend it, as much as possible, in pious exercises, and avoid worldly recreations and amusements.
Application. Consider how the Lord pours forth, in the most Holy Sacrament of the Altar, the treasures of His Divine Love for mankind; and resolve, therefore, to approach to the Holy Table as often as you can with permission, and to receive the Bread of Angels with as much devotion and purity of heart as you can possibly attain to.
Penance.
1. What is understood by Penance?
By Penance is understood, 1. The Virtue or disposition of heart by which man repents of his sins and is converted to God; 2. The Punishment by which he atones for the sins committed; and 3. The Sacrament of Penance.
2. What is the Sacrament of Penance?
It is a Sacrament in which the Priest, in the place of God, forgives sins, when the sinner is heartily sorry for them, sincerely confesses them, and is willing to perform the penance imposed upon him.
3. Does the Priest truly forgive the sins, or does he only declare that they are remitted?
The Priest does really and truly forgive the sins in virtue of the power given to him by Christ.
4. When did Christ give the power to forgive sins?
When after His resurrection He breathed on the Apostles, and said to them: 'Receive ye the Holy Ghost. Whose sins you shall forgive, they are forgiven them; and whose sins you shall retain, they are retained' (John XX. 22, 23).
5. Did not Christ impart this power to the Apostles alone?
No; He imparted it also to all those who were to suc-
