Asking for a different penance?

[LynnieLew]

Upon going to confession, to a specific priest, I often get the same penance. It (and I am not saying what mine is specifically) can be something like “Take some time out for yourself” or “Do something nice today”.
So here is my question. Can I ask for another penance, or an additional one, if the one the priest gives me a general penance?

I know the Lord knows best so I will act on the Penance given, but I didn’t know if that (asking for something more concrete) was an option.

Have a great day and thank you in advance for the insight.
LynnieLew

 

[puzzleannie]

as a rule I think in humility we should accept the penance we are given and if we have trusted the priest to absolve our sins, trust him to assign the appropriate penance. There is also no law that says you can’t say a rosary on your own initiative after confession, either.

 

[LynnieLew]

puzzleannie:

as a rule I think in humility we should accept the penance we are given and if we have trusted the priest to absolve our sins, trust him to assign the appropriate penance. There is also no law that says you can’t say a rosary on your own initiative after confession, either.

Thanks Puzzleannie!
I had a feeling that this may be the response I would get. I think in some way I was hoping for something, in confession, that would be more tailored for my spiritual life. I guess it would be more appropriate to see a spiritual director for that.

 

[awalt]

I heard a great answer to this on Catholic Answers Live.

We all know about indulgences, which purge the temporal punishment. The penance we receive is not meant to absolve us from all temporal punishment, otherwise you would confess, and there would be no concept of purgatory. There is still a need for absolution from temporal punishment, whether on this earth or in purgatory.

The purpose of the penance is just a small indicator that we are sorry for our sins. The analogy is this:

(Sin committed)
(Confession) → telling your parents what you did
(Absolution) —> Parents telling you they forgive you and they love you
(Penance) —> Parents hoping you say “I am sorry I misbehaved”
(Making up for temporal punishment/indulgences/sacraments etc.) ----> Parents say “OK now, every day this week you have to dry the dishes after dinner”
(Child saying “OK, Mom”) ----> You saying “Amen, Have mercy on me Jesus for I am a sinner”:

 

[hilde_the_dog]

Puzzleannie

You said it. I thought when I read this thread why not sit in church after confession and do the rosary with confession in mind. And I love looking up at the crucifix when praying.