The Resolver of Doubts

can be threefold. The first is an extrinsic spiritual one, namely, the illusion of demons; which sometimes comes from previous negligence of preparation for devotion, especially when one goes to sleep, which can be either a mortal or a venial sin. At other times, however, it comes from the sole wickedness of demons wishing to prevent a man from the reception of this sacrament.

The second cause is an intrinsic spiritual one, namely, a preceding lascivious thought; which sometimes comes from concupiscence and delight, where, if consent is present, it will be a mortal sin. If, however, it is absent, it will be venial. At other times, it can be without any sin, as when someone thinks about such things for the sake of reading or disputation. And if this happens without concupiscence and delight, it will not be an unclean thought, but an honest one, from which, however, pollution can follow. The third cause is an intrinsic and bodily one: namely, a superfluity or weakness of nature, or a superfluity of food or drink, which sometimes is accompanied by a sin, either mortal or venial, as when it comes from a superfluity of food or drink. At other times, however, it is without sin, as when it comes from the infirmity of nature. If, therefore, pollution happens from any of the stated causes in such a way that it is accompanied by a mortal sin, it is not permitted for the polluted one to celebrate until after twenty-four hours have passed.

If, however, it happens from any of those causes in such a way that it is without sin or only with a venial sin, the polluted person can licitly celebrate. Nevertheless, if he abstains out of reverence, he is to be praised, unless necessity or the avoidance of scandal urges otherwise. But because it cannot always be easily perceived from what cause it comes, therefore, in doubt, it is safer to abstain, unless an urgent necessity presses, or a special devotion urges, or otherwise no indisposition contrary to due reverence is present. This is how one should think regarding nocturnal pollution, whether it ends in sleep or while awake. Unless someone, after waking, has deliberate consent and pleasure in the delight...